Number of International Students Applying to Study in US Increases, Survey Finds

Universities and colleges across the United States have seen an increase in the number of international student applications for the 2022/23 academic year, according to the Spring 2022 Snapshot on International Educational Exchange released by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

The survey of 559 US higher education (HE) institutions was conducted in April 2022, Erudera.com reports.

65 percent of surveyed institutions reported an increase in applications for the 2022/23 academic year compared to last year, when 43 percent noted an increase in applications.

The following institutions have, in particular, seen an increase in student applications for 2022/23:

• 76 percent of Master’s Colleges and Universities
• 73 percent of Doctoral Universities
• 68 percent of community colleges
• 51 percent of liberal arts colleges

“While a smaller number of Special Focus Institutions reported compared to other institutional types (38 in total), almost half of these institutions (45%) indicated that their application numbers were the same as last year,” the report reads.

84 percent of HE institutions reported that they have been offering online submissions of applications to potential students.

The majority of institutions (54 percent) have been allowing online results, 28 percent have extended application deadlines, and 25 percent of institutions extended deadlines for admission as required.

Last academic year, the survey showed only a four percent increase in the total number of international students.

The Open Doors 2021 report in International Student Exchange revealed a 15 percent decrease in the number of international students in the United States during the 2020/21 academic year, to 914,000. At that time, the number of students decreased at all academic levels.

Data indicated that there was a drop mainly among international students pursuing studies at a US college or university for the first time.

In the spring of 2020, according to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many students to defer or pause their studies, while in the fall of the same year, the number of new international students decreased by 46 percent.

The same survey has revealed that during spring 2022, most international students attended in-person classes at these institutions participating in the study.

89 percent of US institutions reported that most of their international students are on campus during spring 2022, while 55 percent said that all their international students were present on campus.

Prior to the pandemic, students could have accessed hybrid education at 85 percent of institutions, and almost all of the institutions that did so at that time are planning to continue offering hybrid instruction in future semesters.