Record Number of International Students Admitted to US Colleges in 2023-2024 Academic Year: Report
A record 1.2 million international students were admitted to study at US colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year, according to a press release issued by President Joe Biden’s State Department in celebration of International Education Week.
This milestone reflects a nearly 12 percent increase from the previous academic year, when around one million international students were studying in the country. The surge represents the largest year-over-year increase in decades, according to a report by The Daily Caller.
“Now in its 75th year, Open Doors reports more than 1.12 million international students studied at U.S. colleges and universities in the 2023-2024 academic year, a record high that underscores [Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s] commitment to making the United States the top destination for international study,” the State Department statement said.
The department further highlighted the economic impact of international students, claiming they had contributed more than $50 billion to the US economy in 2023, based on data from the Department of Commerce.
India emerged as the leading country of origin for international students for the first time in nearly 15 years, making up 29 percent of the total international student population. Chinese students, who had historically led in numbers, now comprise 25 percent of international enrollments. Both countries are far ahead of any other nations.
The record-setting figures come amid ongoing debates and concerns among lawmakers regarding Chinese nationals studying in the US, particularly due to potential ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
This surge in international student enrollment is also occurring alongside record levels of immigration during the Biden administration. A report from Texas Representative Chip Roy in September indicated that over 8.5 million illegal immigrants have crossed the southern US border since President Biden took office, with at least 5.6 million of these individuals reportedly released into the country.
