Recently, the Institute of International Education (IIE) released the "2023 Open Doors Report" (Open Doors 2023 Report). The report comprehensively presents the most accurate data on international students in the US in the post-pandemic era.
The Open Doors report is jointly published by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Institute of International Education (IIE), and has been a key reference for international students studying in the US for over 70 years. This year, approximately 3,000 U.S. higher education institutions participated in the survey.
CheersYou（清柚教育） will provide a detailed interpretation of the 2023 Open Doors Report, including overall study abroad trends, analysis of top sending countries, popular fields of study, popular states, and popular institutions.
Overall Trends in Studying in the US
International Student Enrollment
The impact of the pandemic on enthusiasm for studying in the US is gradually fading. According to the data, total international student enrollment for 2022-23 reached 1,057,188, an 11.5% increase over the previous year. The number of international students studying in the US is rising, surging to near historic highs compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Notably, international student enrollment increased at all academic levels. Graduate enrollment saw the largest increase, with 467,027 international students pursuing master's, doctoral, or professional degrees (+21%). This is the highest number of international graduate students ever recorded by Open Doors, continuing growth from 2022.
With the end of the pandemic era, courses and activities have gradually transitioned back to in-person formats, leading more and more Chinese students to once again consider the US as a study destination.
According to Open Doors 2023, Chinese students account for 27% of all international students, making them the largest international student group in the US. Compared to 2021-22, the number of Chinese students increased by 11.5%. The second-largest group is from India, representing 25% of all international students.
Academic Level Breakdown
According to the data, in the 2022-2023 academic year, undergraduate enrollment increased by 0.9%, graduate enrollment by 21.3%, and OPT participation by 7.6%; non-degree programs (e.g., language programs, exchange programs) rose by 28.2%.
New International Students
The data shows that in 2022-23, there were 298,523 new international students, a 14% increase over the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
China Remains the Top Sending Country
The report surveyed international students from over 26 countries and regions. China remains the top sending country with 289,526 students, accounting for 27.4% of the total international student population, followed by India at 25.4% and South Korea at 4.1%.
Among Chinese students, 34.7% are enrolled in undergraduate programs, 43.5% in graduate programs, 2.8% in non-degree programs, and 19% are on OPT.
Although the rebound in numbers of Chinese students studying in the US post-pandemic has not been as pronounced as that from India and other regions due to pandemic and policy factors, Chinese students still make up the largest portion of the current international student body in the US.
Data shows that the number of students choosing to pursue graduate degrees in the US has been consistently growing. International students from India, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other countries have all reached record highs.
Math and Computer Science Remain the Most Popular Fields
STEM fields have always been popular among international students, and the 2022-23 academic year was no exception. As in the previous year, students choosing math and computer science remained in first place.
55% of international students chose STEM fields, with 23% selecting math and computer science and 19% choosing engineering.
According to the data, math and computer science continue to be the most popular fields among international students. Following math/computer science and engineering at numbers one and two, the traditionally popular business major ranks third.
Among graduate students, 14% chose business, 23% chose engineering, 23% chose math and computer science, 7.8% chose physical and life sciences, and 8% chose social sciences. Math/computer science and engineering are the most popular STEM programs.
In addition to the three traditional popular fields, social sciences, physical and life sciences, fine and applied arts, and foreign languages and international studies are also relatively popular disciplines.
Popular Studying Destinations: California Remains Dominant
California, New York, and Texas remain the top three study destinations, hosting a quarter of all international students.
The most popular state this year is California, with 134,043 international students enrolled, a 3.2% increase from the previous year. California is home to many prestigious universities such as the UC system, USC, Stanford, and Caltech, and boasts pleasant weather and a safe, welcoming environment, making it perennially the top choice for international students.
Michigan saw the most significant increase in international student numbers at 21.1%. Additionally, New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois also experienced notable growth, with Massachusetts up 12.3%, New York up 11.5%, and Illinois up 18.8%.
New York State is home to famous schools like Cornell University, Columbia University, and New York University; Massachusetts boasts Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, Northeastern University, and other top institutions.
Most Popular Universities: NYU Continues to Top the List
As with last year, the top five universities most favored by international students remain unchanged, with the top three spots all held by East Coast institutions:
1. New York University
2. Northeastern University
3. Columbia University
4. Arizona State University
5. University of Southern California
As a perennial favorite among international students, NYU has been generous in extending offers. According to the data, 24,496 international students are enrolled at NYU.
Other universities are not far behind: Northeastern has 20,637 international students, Columbia has 19,001, USC has 17,264, and Arizona State has 17,981.
Other popular universities include:
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Boston University
- University of California, San Diego
- Purdue University
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Berkeley
All these institutions have international student populations exceeding 10,000.
To view the complete 2023 Open Doors Report, please visit:
https://opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/international-students/#downloa...
It can be seen that the impact of the pandemic on international student mobility to the US has largely faded, and US higher education institutions have returned to pre-pandemic enrollment levels.
From a field of study perspective, STEM remains strong, being popular at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with math and computer science becoming increasingly sought after.
The Fall 2024 application season is in full swing, and some students have already received offers. Those who haven't yet received offers shouldn't worry too much—persistence is key.
We hope everyone secures admission to their dream schools this application season!
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