Just this week, the Institute of International Education (IIE) finally released the "2019 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange," providing the latest official statistics on U.S. educational institutions for the 2018-2019 academic year.
The Open Doors Report is an authoritative platform supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and published by the Institute of International Education.
Since its founding in 1919, it has conducted in-depth surveys of nearly 3,000 U.S. higher education institutions each year, covering important data including: international student statistics, academic levels, research fields, financial situations, etc.
In recent years, overt and covert tightening of visa policies, along with a flurry of unfriendly rumors about international students, has caused much controversy over the U.S. study abroad market.
What is the real situation of studying in the U.S. over the past year? Below, CheersYou（清柚教育） brings you an interpretation of the official data.
Number of Chinese Students in the U.S. Hits New High in 2019
According to the latest Open Doors data, the total number of international students in the U.S. in 2019 did not decrease but increased, surpassing 1 million for the fourth consecutive year and reaching a record high.
China remains the largest source of international students for the 10th consecutive year, accounting for 33.7% of all international students in the U.S., also reaching a historical high.
Looking at the distribution of Chinese students by academic level, there were 148,880 undergraduate students, a 0.2% increase from last year, and 133,396 graduate students, a 2.0% increase.
NYU Continues to Top as University with Most International Students
In terms of institutional choice, New York University remains the university with the most international students, with 19,605 international students enrolled in 2018/19. The University of Southern California ranked second.
Other major host universities for international students include Northeastern University, Columbia University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Arizona State University, University of California, Los Angeles, and others.
It's easy to see that California and New York remain the two most popular states for international students.
Apart from school prestige and international admissions policies, students and parents also pay close attention to the university's location.
Universities in regions like California and New York have friendly admission policies, plus advantageous locations and abundant job opportunities, naturally making them hubs for international students.
Mathematics/Computer Science Becomes Top Choice for Chinese Students for the First Time
In terms of major selection by Chinese students, mathematics/computer science surpassed business and engineering for the first time this year, becoming the most popular field of study.
The tech industry has been leading in recent years in terms of employment rates, salaries, and H-1B visa sponsorship. It's no surprise that mathematics/computer science has become the top choice for U.S. study abroad this year.
Overall, international students, including Chinese students, are becoming more pragmatic when choosing majors, focusing more on future career development and job opportunities in the U.S. In terms of major selection, students from various countries are primarily opting for STEM majors, which offer a 3-year OPT period.
Number of Chinese Students on OPT Continues to Grow
The OPT work authorization has always been a key factor attracting international students to study in the U.S. However, recent rumors and speculations about OPT have caused considerable panic among international students.
In fact, official data shows that the number of students on OPT continues to grow, reaching 223,085 in the 2018/19 academic year, somewhat offsetting the decline in new enrollments.
Among them, Chinese students on OPT numbered 70,037, a 6.6% increase from last year, largely unaffected by Sino-U.S. relations.
On the student visa front, the U.S. Embassy in China also released new data this month, showing that the total number of F-1 student visas issued to Chinese nationals was 89,179, nearly 6,000 more than the same period last year.
Despite news of overt and covert visa policy tightening, official data suggests that the U.S. has not been as stingy in issuing student visas and OPT authorizations as many imagine.
Make Rational Choices for Study Abroad Destinations
With the UK government announcing a 2-year work visa for international students this year, the number of UK study applications has surged, and admission requirements have skyrocketed.
In such an uncertain study abroad environment, the U.S. remains the top choice in terms of academic quality, number of prestigious universities, and career prospects.
Finally, we hope everyone can weigh the pros and cons, consult with professionals, and make the most rational choice based on individual circumstances. Don't blindly follow trends, because studying abroad is a major life decision.
