Open Doors 2024 Report: The US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education has released the findings on the international students and US study abroad from the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Education Exchange.
The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange is the only long-standing, comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars in the United States and on US students studying abroad for academic credit.
According to the press release, the total number of international students at U.S. colleges and universities reached an all-time high of more than 1.1 million (1,126,690) 2023-2024 which is a 7% increase from the previous academic year.
International students accounted for 6% of the total U.S. higher education population and, according to the U.S. The Department of Commerce contributed more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023.
Student Mobility Totals
| Year | International Students | US Study Abroad |
| 2023/24 | 331,602 | N/A |
| 2022/23 | 268,923 | 1,355 |
| 2021/22 | 199,182 | 336 |
| 2020/21 | 167,582 | 16 |
| 2019/20 | 193,124 | 1,736 |
| 2018/19 | 202,014 | 3,366 |
| 2017/18 | 196,271 | 3,986 |
| 2016/17 | 186,267 | 4,704 |
India Top-Sending Country for the First Time Since 2009
India sent 331,602 international students to pursue higher education in the United States in 2023-2024, reflecting a 23% increase from the prior year. Enrollments increased primarily at the graduate (196,567; +19%) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) academic levels (97,556; +41%).
| Academic Level | 2023-24 | Increase |
| Graduate | 196,567 | +19% |
| Optional Practical Training | 97,556 | +41% |
| Total Students | 331,602 | 23% |
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China is the second leading place of origin, despite a 4% decline to 277,398 students. It remained the top-sending country for undergraduates and non-degree students, sending 87,551 and 5,517, respectively. Chinese students pursuing OPT increased by 12% to 61,552.
India and China together made up over half of all international students in the United States. Many other countries sending students to the United States experienced strong growth, with eight of the top 25 reaching all-time highs such as Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain.
Sub-Saharan Africa totals grew by 13% in 2023/24 and had the highest growth rate among all world regions for the second consecutive year, building on the 18% increase in 2022-23.
International Students By Academic Level
| Academic Level | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Total | Change |
| Undergraduate | 31,954 | 36,053 | 10.9% | 12.8% |
| Graduate | 165,936 | 196,567 | 59.3% | 18.5% |
| Non-Degree | 1,971 | 1,426 | 0.4% | -27.7% |
| OPT | 69,062 | 97,556 | 29.4% | 41.3% |
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