The Institute of International Education (IIE) released its Open Doors report on international students in the US on 17/11. As of the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, approximately 1.18 million international students from over 200 countries and territories came to the US. This figure represents a 5% increase from the previous academic year, generating USD 55 billion for the United States.

Among them, the number of Vietnamese students reached nearly 25,600, an increase of about 16%, maintaining their position in the top 5 largest groups. This marks the highest level since 2000/2001, when IIE began collecting this data. Growth was also recorded in many other countries, including India, Canada, Colombia, and Ghana.

India continued to lead with an increase of 10% to over 360,000 students. China ranked second with nearly 270,000 students, a 4% decrease. South Korean students were the third largest group, decreasing by 2% to over 43,000.

Overall, the number of new international students arriving in the US decreased by 7% to nearly 280,000. However, the total number still increased because IIE's count includes graduates who remain to work under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which can last from 12 to 36 months. Currently, about 300,000 international students are in this category, a 21% increase from last year.

The report also indicated that most international students, 57%, pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Mathematics and Computer Science are the most popular, with one in four international students enrolling in these two disciplines.

Other popular fields include Business and Management (14%), Physical and Life Sciences (8%), and Social Sciences (7%).

For Vietnamese international students specifically, 23% chose to study Business Administration, making it the most popular choice. Computer Science was the second most popular at nearly 22%, followed by Engineering at almost 12%.

Students at Columbia University, one of the top 5 schools with the most international students in the US. *Photo: Columbia University Fanpage*

IIE is a non-profit organization dedicated to international educational exchange in the US. The annual Open Doors report, sponsored by the US Department of State, is considered a comprehensive source of information on international students and scholars in the US, as well as American students abroad.

Khanh Linh