WASHINGTON – The results of a snapshot survey released today by several higher-education organizations suggest continued modest growth in international enrollments at U.S. higher education institutions. Fifty-seven percent of responding institutions reported increases in overall international enrollments this fall over last fall, while 24% reported level enrollments, and 19% reported a decline. New international enrollments show a similar trajectory: 55% reporting increases, 19% reporting declines, and 26% reporting no change in those enrollments.

“We are happy to see international enrollments continue to trend upward,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene Johnson. “It is important to acknowledge this recovery and to recognize the State Department for the great work it has done to improve the visa process. Colleges and universities are also doing their part, by continuing to redouble their recruitment and outreach efforts. At the same time, when one considers the international context – the recent dramatic growth in international student enrollments in competitor countries, where proactive policies are in place to attract international talent, and the continuing robust growth in the number of internationally mobile students worldwide – it is clear we are not doing as well as we should be. Attracting international students and scholars to the United States is integral to effective public diplomacy, and we need a comprehensive national strategy for strengthening this important asset.”

The market of internationally mobile students – those studying outside their home country – grew from 1.68 million in 1999 to 2.5 million in 2004. That number is projected to nearly triple by 2025, to 7.2 million. International enrollments in key competitor countries have seen robust growth in the period since 2002. Meanwhile, international enrollments in the United States appear only now to be slowly recovering after three years of decline.

The online snapshot enrollment survey of 702 U.S. colleges and universities was conducted in October by: American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), American Council on Education (ACE), Association of American Universities (AAU), Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), Institute of International Education (IIE), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC).

View the joint press release and full 2007 snapshot enrollment survey report

NAFSA Report: The Economic Benefits of International Education to the United States 2006 – 2007
NAFSA has also released its annual Economic Impact Statements, which estimate the amount of money foreign students spend in the United States to support their education. During the 2006 – 2007 academic year, international students and their families spent $14.5 billion on the U.S. economy. The report, which includes spending on tuition and fees and on living expenses, offers national and state-by-state breakdowns as well as data for major institutions of higher education in each state. The analysis is based on tuition and living expense data from the College Board and enrollment figures from IIE’s Open Doors 2007 report.

Source: http://www.nafsa.org/press_releases.sec/press_releases.pg/latest_survey_indicates