US international recruitment continues ‘incredible rebound’

The number of new international students enrolling in US universities has continued to rise this year, snapshot figures show.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) said the “incredible rebound” proves the commitment of US higher education institutions to international students.

New data from the IIE and the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs show that US higher education institutions reported a 7 per cent increase in the number of new international students in autumn 2022.

This followed an 80 per cent rebound in the 2021-22 academic year, when there were 261,961 new international enrolments, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of US providers recorded more new international students this autumn compared with last year, with a quarter seeing fewer.

Increases in international student enrolment were reported across all academic levels, including an 18 per cent rise at postgraduate level, according to Mirka Martel, head of research, evaluation and learning at IIE.

The data come from a snapshot survey based on responses from 638 institutions – a subset of the almost 3,000 that contribute to the full Open Doors 2022 report, which was published on 14 November.

This showed that 948,519 international students studied at US higher education institutions during the 2021-22 academic year – up 4 per cent on the previous year.

Although still 16 per cent below the record 1.1 million international students recorded in 2018-19, it marked the first increase in three years, and the largest percentage rise since 2015-16.

“The incredible rebound we have seen in international student mobility demonstrates the United States’ and its higher education institutions’ unwavering commitment to welcoming students from around the world,” said Allan Goodman, chief executive of IIE.

“Despite the complexity and uncertainty that accompany pandemics, international educational exchanges continue.”

International students in the US come from more than 200 different countries, but the majority (52 per cent) are from just two nations – China (290,086) and India (199,182).

Nigeria – the 10th largest provider of international students to the US – saw its largest annual increase since the 1980s.

Of those with at least 100 students enrolled in the US, European countries saw the most significant year-on-year increases – Denmark (up 79 per cent), Germany (59 per cent) and Austria (49 per cent).

“We are thrilled to see international student numbers on the rise, and to see the United States maintain its global leadership as the top destination of choice for international students,” said Lee Satterfield, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs.

“Welcoming international students to American campuses and communities is at the heart of people-to-people diplomacy and a foundational component of our US foreign policy strategy to attract the top talent to the United States.”

The statistics also showed that just 14,549 US students studied abroad in 2020-21 – 11 times fewer than the 162,633 the year before.

Figures for 2021-22 are not yet available but the report said that early indications show demand for international study remains high and is likely to rebound.

“As study abroad re-emerges for American students, the Biden administration is expanding the tools available to students to provide greater affordability and accessibility for all students to ensure it reflects the rich diversity of the United States,” said Mr Satterfield.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com