International students are not just learning — they’re also earning a spot as top contributors to the US economy. International student enrollments in US higher education institutions reached an all-time peak of 1.1M students in the 2023-24 academic year, injecting a whopping $50B into the US economy through tuition, housing, and living expenses. The increase is primarily driven by graduate students, who make up nearly half of all international enrollments.

• STEM fields were the top choice for 56% of international students — with 25% pursuing mathematics and computer science and 19% studying engineering.
• International student populations grew in 44 states, with California, New York, and Texas leading the way.

Storm clouds ahead: While preliminary fall 2024 data shows continued growth with a 3% enrollment increase, uncertainty looms with President-elect Trump preparing to take office again. His previous tenure caused a 12% drop in foreign student enrollments compared to competitor nations, and his administration’s past visa policy fluctuations have caused anxiety among prospective students. However, IIE CEO Allan Goodman remains optimistic, saying, “International enrollment in America has tended to increase … The only times that stopped were initially after 9/11 in 2001 and then in the wake of the pandemic.”