US international student recruitment rebound slows

The number of international students starting courses at US universities continues to grow, but early data indicates that the post-pandemic rebound has slowed.

A survey of 630 universities published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs shows that new enrolments have increased by an average of 2 per cent for 2023-24.

This rise is down from 14 per cent last year, and the 80 per cent rebound in 2021-22 after travel restrictions were lifted following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mirka Martel, IIE’s head of research, evaluation and learning, told Times Higher Education that the data indicated that the US would match its pre-pandemic total of international students this year.

“New enrolments will naturally stabilise over time, at higher numbers, similar to trends before the pandemic,” she said.

“What we want to focus on is the fact that there is plenty of room for international students in the United States.”

According to the IIE survey, 57 per cent of participating institutions reported an increase in new international student enrolments. Thirteen per cent indicate the number to be the same as last year, and 30 per cent report a decrease.

It says that 36 per cent of institutions reported an increase in new Chinese students, up from 29 per cent last year – while 51 per cent reported growth from India, slightly down on 56 per cent in 2022-23.

India is where 70 per cent of providers are prioritising undergraduate outreach, followed by Vietnam (66 per cent), China (53 per cent) and South Korea (53 per cent).

Across all year groups, the survey indicates that total international student enrolment increased by 8 per cent for 2023-24, following rises of 12 per cent and 4 per cent in the preceding two years. Ninety-five per cent of enrolled international students are in the US and studying on campus.

The survey results were released alongside the annual Open Doors report giving final data for 2022-23 enrolments. According to that data, international students accounted for 6 per cent of the total US higher education population, with 48 states reporting an increase in the past year.

Allan Goodman, the IIE chief executive, said international education was resilient, and integral to universities and countries looking to support global innovation, collaboration and peace.

“This reinforces that the US remains the destination of choice for international students wishing to study abroad, as it has been for more than a century,” he added.

With more than 200 places of origin represented, China continued to send more students to the US in 2022-23 than any other, with 289,526 in total – although this was down slightly year-on-year.

Following a 35 per cent increase, India reached an all-time high of 268,923 international students in the country.

And seven other countries also set record totals – Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan and Spain.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com