1st Significant Increase in Int'l Students in US Since 9/11: India, China, Korea Lead

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The number of international students enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States increased by 3% to a total of 582,984 in the 2006-07 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE). This is the first significant increase in total international student enrollments since 2001-02. The reports shows an even higher increase in the number of new international students, those enrolled for the first time at a college or university in fall 2006, which rose 10% from the previous year.

For the sixth successive year, India remained the leading country of origin for students coming to the U.S. (see chart above, click to enlarge).

The total of Indian students coming to the U.S. this year was up by 9.6% from the previous year, when the number was 76,503, and India dominated with 14.4% of the total of 582,984 international students enrolled in American colleges and universities in the US in 2006-2007.

Among the leading fields of study for international students in the U.S., business remains the leading field, with 18% percent of the total, closely followed by Engineering with 15%.

Saudi Arabia was the country with the largest percent increase in students coming to the U.S., with a 129% increase, as its student population studying in the U.S. more than doubled.