Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
International students in the United States - statistics & facts
Home to many of the highest-rated higher education institutions worldwide, the United States is undeniably a desirable destination for students seeking to study abroad. Accounting for the largest international student population across the globe, approximately 1.13 million international students were enrolled in American colleges and universities during the 2023/24 academic year. Of that total, over half were studying at the graduate level, with math and computer science making up the most common field of study. While students come to the U.S. from a wide range of nations, India and China comprise the leading countries of origin by far. A student visa is required for noncitizens to pursue their studies in the U.S., with full-time students typically holding an F-1 visa for academic and language studies or an M-1 visa for non-academic, vocational, or technical training. A J-1 visa is also available for foreign exchange students.
