On November 13, 2023, the Institute of International Education released the Open Doors Report for 2023, providing valuable insights into international student enrollment and study abroad trends. The event was held with the worldwide observance of International Education Week. We were excited to learn about the latest data on student mobility to and from the United States for the 2022/23 and 2021/2022 academic years from experts who shared new insights on International Education Exchange.
At 100,000 Strong in the Americas, we are committed to promoting cross-border collaboration and increasing access to educational opportunities for students across the Americas. International Education Week was an excellent opportunity to celebrate the power of international education and the impact it has on individuals and communities around the world.
Focused on 3 pillars: International Students, U.S. students studying abroad, and Global Student Mobility, the 2023 Open Doors report revealed some exciting statistics about student mobility, including in the Western Hemisphere.
One of the most significant findings of the report is that the number of international students studying in the U.S. has increased for the fifth consecutive year, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. This emphasizes the importance of supporting international education initiatives.
China, India, and South Korea were the top three places of origin for international students in the US in the 2022/2023 academic year. However, when we expand to the top 25 places of origin, we see that students are coming to the United States from all world regions. Furthermore, 23 of the top 25 places of origin experienced rebounds, with 14 returning to pre-pandemic enrollment levels. Eight of the top 25 places of origin reached all-time highs, including Colombia, with a 13% increase from Latin America. Moreover, students from Brazil pursued a diversity of majors, including business and management, social sciences, finance, applied arts and other fields, in addition to STEM fields.
The report also shows that the fields of study with the highest number of international students are business and management, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. In addition, the report highlights the top states for international students, with California, New York, and Texas being the top three states with the highest number of international students.
International students make up 6% of all US students in higher education, which is close to 19 million. Of these international students, 55% studied in STEM fields. All major fields of study noted increases, with math and computer science continuing to grow as the leading field of study, increasing by 20%. Students from various places of origin vary in the majors they pursue. For example, while there continues to be strong interest in STEM fields, we see diversity from the top 25 places of origin. For example, Brazilian students pursue business and management, social sciences, finance, applied arts, and other fields. In 2022, international students contributed $38 billion to the US economy, primarily through funding of their education. This demonstrates the significant economic impact of international students in the US.
Regarding students studying abroad, in 2021/22, the total number of U.S. students who studied abroad for academic credit increased to 188,753 students, a nearly 13-fold increase of 1,197%. Only 2.5% of students participated in long-term study abroad programs, which lasted either an academic year or a full calendar year.
Latin America and the Caribbean had a significant impact on the number of international student enrollments from 2020 to 2021, with a percentage change of 1,111.7%. In 2020/2021, the region hosted only 1,600 international students, but in 2021/2022, the number increased to 19,387. Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for 10.3% of the total international student enrollment, making it the second Host Region- destination for international students after Europe.
Costa Rica was ranked as the 7th leading US study abroad destination, and students continue to study in diverse destinations globally, with students traveling to more than 170 destinations around the world.
This increase can be attributed to the region’s diverse culture, affordable cost of living, and quality education, which are all factors that attract international students.
Studying abroad has become an increasingly popular option for undergraduate students in the United States. Approximately 5.9% of all U.S. undergraduates who pursue a degree program choose to study abroad. This amounts to a total of 169,216 students who take advantage of this opportunity. When compared to the total number of undergraduate students in U.S. higher education institutions, which is approximately 2,867,563, the percentage of students who decide to study abroad may seem small. However, it is important to note that this number has steadily increased over the years, indicating a growing interest in studying abroad among U.S. undergraduates.
Overall, Latin America and the Caribbean has become an increasingly important region for international education and is expected to continue to grow in popularity among international students.
“International education, both here at home and abroad, is the ultimate unifier – there is something for everyone. American students from two-year community colleges to four-year universities and beyond, across a wide-range of fields, can study abroad all over the world and bring new perspectives back to their communities,” said Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Lee Satterfield.
The Open Doors Report for 2023 provides valuable insights into the state of international education and cross-cultural exchange, highlighting the importance of global student mobility and the positive impact it has on both the US and the Americas.
As we move forward, it is crucial to continue promoting global understanding and collaboration through initiatives such as 100,000 Strong in the Americas. This event was held in conjunction with the worldwide observance of International Education Week, and we are committed to celebrating the power of international education and the impact it has on individuals and communities around the world.
Open Doors 2023 Data Release
The Open Doors 2023 Report on International Educational Exchange provides a wealth of information and data on international students studying in the United States in the 2022/23 academic year, U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit in 2021/22, international scholars conducting research in 2022/23, and intensive English students in the 2022 calendar year.
Open Doors is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IIE (Institute of International Education).
International Education Week (IEW)
International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
Follow @ECAatState, @EducationUSA, @IIEGlobal, and @IIEResearch on X (formerly Twitter) and join the conversation by tagging your posts #OpenDoorsReport and #IEW2023.
For more information on the Open Doors 2023 report, visit www.opendoorsdata.org/annual-release to follow Partners’ activity in higher education, visit www.partners.net/higher-education or follow the Innovation Fund at #100KStrongAmericas.