A recent study from the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) identified that international students offer a tremendous economic benefit to the country. How big of a benefit you might ask? – approximately $24 billion in 2012/2013. Besides monetary contibutions, international students directly support roughly 312,975 jobs in the U.S. Of these jobs 114,614 are supported directly by spending and 198, 361 are supported indirectly. Three jobs are created for every 7 international students in the industries of:
- Higher education
- Accomodation
- Dining
- Retail
- Transportation
- Telecommunications
- Health insurance
The Open Door 2013 report provides useful information on America’s international student population and several of its key findings are a “must know”. International student enrollment is on the rise in the U.S. and from last year increased by 7.2%. The top five international student countries are
- China
- India
- South Korea
- Saudi Arabia
- Canada
The top fields of study for international students in the U.S. are:
- Business and management
- Engineering
- Math/computer science
- Physical/life sciences
As we can see from the NAFSA study, there is a tangible and significant economic benefit when students enroll in the U.S. internationally in higher education. But past the figures with these students we also gain rich cultural diversity and higher standards of academic performance. The international student is helping America thrive, let’s hope the enrollment
