Over 1.1 million international students attended U.S. colleges and universities in the 2023–2024 academic year, a 7% increase from the year before, marking a historic milestone, according to the Open Doors® 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange. This sets a new record, underscoring the rising demand for American higher education around the world. In honor of its 75th anniversary, the report highlights how international students contribute more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023.

With 331,602 students, a 23% increase from the previous year, India is the leading sending nation. Even though it has somewhat decreased, China comes in second with 277,398 pupils. At the graduate and Optional Practical Training (OPT) levels, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Indian students. Additionally, the data shows that enrollments from nations like Ghana, Colombia, and Bangladesh have increased. 56% of international students are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, demonstrating the continued dominance of STEM fields. While the Midwestern states have had impressive development, the top states that host international students are California, New York, and Texas. A post-pandemic rebound was also evident in the 49% increase in U.S. student participation in study abroad programs during the 2022–2023 academic year. The top three countries for American students to study abroad are still Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

In order to sustain this increasing trend in the number of international students enrolled, American colleges are concentrating on outreach in China, Vietnam, and India.