[h=5]Frank Kummer, PHILLY.COM[/h] Last updated: Monday, November 11, 2013, 9:53 AM
The number of students from abroad studying in U.S. colleges leaped seven percent the past school year, with China driving the trend and the University of Pennsylvania proving to be a draw, according to a new report by the Institute of International Education.
According to the report released today, the number of international students in higher learning programs in the United States increased by 55,000 students, to 819,644 students total, between the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years. That’s a record high.
The trend has been in place for seven years as international students now comprise about four percent of undergraduate and graduate enrollment, contributing about $24 billion to the economy. About 40 percent more foreign students are studying at U.S. colleges and universities than just a decade ago, the report states.
The growth is largely driven by students from China. Enrollments by Chinese students increased by 21 percent representing almost 235,000 students in U.S. colleges and universities, the report states. Students from China, India, and South Korea represent almost half of all international students in the United States. But the numbers from India and South Korea are declining.
Meanwhile, the number of students from Saudi Arabia increased by 30 percent. That translates to about 45,000 students. Most are funded through a Saudi government scholarship program.
The report shows that the majority of funds for international students come from personal and family sources, as well as assistance from their home countries.
California, with 100,000 international students, is the biggest draw, followed by New York, Texas, Massachusetts and Illinois.
But Pennsylvania is in the top ten states, with a 10 percent increase in international students. The University of Pennsylvania is a big draw and is in the top 20 of all schools in the amount of international students.
Contact Frank Kummer at 215-854-2329 or [email protected]. Follow @frankkummer on Twitter.
Contact the Breaking News Desk at 215-854-2443; [email protected]. Follow @phillynews on Twitter.
The number of students from abroad studying in U.S. colleges leaped seven percent the past school year, with China driving the trend and the University of Pennsylvania proving to be a draw, according to a new report by the Institute of International Education.
According to the report released today, the number of international students in higher learning programs in the United States increased by 55,000 students, to 819,644 students total, between the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years. That’s a record high.
The trend has been in place for seven years as international students now comprise about four percent of undergraduate and graduate enrollment, contributing about $24 billion to the economy. About 40 percent more foreign students are studying at U.S. colleges and universities than just a decade ago, the report states.
The growth is largely driven by students from China. Enrollments by Chinese students increased by 21 percent representing almost 235,000 students in U.S. colleges and universities, the report states. Students from China, India, and South Korea represent almost half of all international students in the United States. But the numbers from India and South Korea are declining.
Meanwhile, the number of students from Saudi Arabia increased by 30 percent. That translates to about 45,000 students. Most are funded through a Saudi government scholarship program.
The report shows that the majority of funds for international students come from personal and family sources, as well as assistance from their home countries.
California, with 100,000 international students, is the biggest draw, followed by New York, Texas, Massachusetts and Illinois.
But Pennsylvania is in the top ten states, with a 10 percent increase in international students. The University of Pennsylvania is a big draw and is in the top 20 of all schools in the amount of international students.
Contact Frank Kummer at 215-854-2329 or [email protected]. Follow @frankkummer on Twitter.
Contact the Breaking News Desk at 215-854-2443; [email protected]. Follow @phillynews on Twitter.