College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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How Many International Students Are in the U.S.?

Current Numbers

There were approximately 1,158,900 international students studying in the U.S. in 2015. The number has been growing every year since 2010.

Top Sending Countries

Leading Nations

Top 20 Countries

[Chart showing top 20 countries sending students to the U.S.]

Leading Destinations

The most popular U.S. states for international students are:

  1. California
  2. New York
  3. Texas

The high concentration in these states is primarily due to the large number of colleges and universities located in these areas.

[Map showing where international students are primarily concentrated]

Top Institutions

The schools with the most international students are:

  1. New York University
  2. University of Southern California
  3. Columbia University in the City of New York

[Table showing top 10 schools with the most international students]

Quality Rankings

While popularity is important, it doesn’t necessarily indicate quality. To find the best institutions for international students, consider our Rankings for International Students.

Recent policy changes, including the travel ban, may affect future international student enrollment. Many colleges actively recruit international students to:

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