This section highlights three key resources about the history and evolution of international students in the U.S., as well as an overview of what this population looks like today.
- Exchange rates: A history of international students in the U.S.: This video by the Wall Street Journal captures the history and growth of international students in the U.S. from the 1800s to 2016 and shows us that global events have often driven the ebbs and flows of international students to the U.S., from the two World Wars, to economic downturns, and large government-funded scholarships.
- Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange: With an almost 100-year history of documenting the flows of international students to U.S. colleges and universities, the Open Doors report is the most comprehensive and definitive longitudinal source of data on international students in the U.S. Based on an annual survey conducted by the Institute of Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the report provides useful data on the size, academic level, origins and destinations, and fields of study of international students.
- International students in the United States: A snapshot: In this recent (Jan. 2021) and updated analysis using data from Open Doors and NAFSA, Emma Israel and Jeanne Batalova of the Migration Policy Institute provide a detailed analysis of recent international student trends in the U.S. Against the backdrop of immigration challenges and the pandemic, topics covered include: visas; enrollment trends; geographic distribution; fields of study; and transition into the labor market, among others.