Key Takeaways
- Total international students in US grew 5% to 1.18 million
- New international student enrollments dropped 7%
- Indian students surged 9.5% while Chinese numbers declined 4%
- OPT participation jumped 21% as students seek work experience
The United States hosted nearly 1.2 million international students during the 2024-25 academic year, marking a 5% increase overall. However, new international student enrollments declined by 7%, raising concerns about shifting global education patterns.
Enrollment Trends and OPT Growth
According to the Open Doors 2025 Report, 1,177,766 international students studied at U.S. higher education institutions. While total numbers increased, first-time enrollments dropped to 277,118 students.
Graduate, undergraduate and non-degree international student numbers declined by 2-4%. In contrast, students opting for Optional Practical Training (OPT) surged by 21% to 294,253, indicating stronger interest in gaining U.S. work experience.
Country-Wise Student Distribution
India maintained its position as the top source country with 363,019 students, reflecting a robust 9.5% increase. China followed with 265,919 students, experiencing a 4% decline.
Nepalese students showed the most dramatic growth at 48.7%, while Saudi Arabian student numbers fell sharply by 14.3%.
Popular Destinations and Fields of Study
California, New York, and Texas remained the most popular states for international students. Texas, Illinois and Missouri reported the strongest growth rates.
New York University, Northeastern University – Boston and Columbia University ranked as the top three institutions attracting foreign students.
STEM fields dominated with 57% of international students, while mathematics and computer science emerged as the leading field of study.
The Open Doors report serves as a benchmark for tracking international student mobility to the United States, providing authoritative data on global education trends.
