10 USA Universities Most International Students: Studying abroad offers numerous benefits, one of the most significant being the chance to meet fellow international students and form lasting friendships with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This exposure to different cultures and perspectives can be truly enlightening and transformative.
10 USA Universities Most International Students
If you’re considering studying in the United States, you’re in good company. The U.S. is the world’s most popular study destination, attracting nearly one million international students each year. According to the 2015 Open Doors report, there were 974,900 international students in the U.S. in 2015, and this number is projected to grow. These students are spread across approximately 4,500 degree-granting institutions in a vast country covering 9.834 million square kilometers.
1. Illinois Institute of Technology
Ranked 15th globally for the proportion of international students and 401-410 overall, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) tops the list for U.S. universities. Located in Chicago, IIT boasts a perfect score of 100 for international student presence. Nearly 8,000 students are enrolled at IIT, including over 1,000 from minority groups. The graduate school is particularly diverse, with 65% of students hailing from abroad, representing 100 nationalities.
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University ranks 24th globally for international student proportion and 58th overall. Situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon has a near-perfect score of 99.8 for its international student population. The university hosts 13,650 students from 114 countries, with 58% of graduate students coming from outside the U.S. Carnegie Mellon also has satellite centers in Silicon Valley and Manhattan, and campuses in Adelaide, Australia, and Doha, Qatar.
3. Stevens Institute of Technology
Ranked 51st globally for international student proportion and 651-700 overall, Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, is known as the ‘innovation university’. Its diverse student body comes from over 50 countries. The university’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) supports international students with visa forms and cross-cultural exchange programs.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT, the world’s top university according to the QS World University Rankings, is ranked 65th for international student proportion and 1st overall. MIT has a strong international presence, with 3,289 of its 11,331 students coming from abroad, including 42% of graduate students. The university also hosted 539 exchange, visiting, and special students in 2015-2016. MIT is renowned for its need-blind admission policy and generous financial aid.
5. The New School
Ranked 67th for international student proportion and 601-650 overall, The New School in New York City has about 32% of its students coming from overseas, representing 116 countries. Known for its focus on the arts, social sciences, and humanities, The New School was named the most international university in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report in 2014.
6. Northeastern University
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University ranks 70th for international student proportion and joint 361st overall. The university’s 18,000 undergraduates include 3,400 international students. Northeastern emphasizes global engagement, offering a cooperative education program that combines classroom study with professional experience on seven continents and a robust study abroad program. It also opened its first international campus in Toronto.
7. Columbia University
Columbia University in New York City ranks 89th for international student proportion and 20th overall. With 32% of its 30,300 students coming from outside the U.S., Columbia is a hub for global initiatives. The student-led Columbia University Partnership for International Development (CUPID) fosters multidisciplinary discussion and action in international development.
8. Rice University
Ranked 107th for international student proportion and 90th overall, Rice University in Houston, Texas, boasts a significant international student presence. Nearly half of its 6,623 students come from abroad. Rice is noted for its selective admissions, strong student-faculty ratio, and high level of research activity.
9. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Caltech ranks 112th for international student proportion and 5th overall. Despite its small size, with only around 2,255 students, Caltech maintains a strong international presence and a low student-faculty ratio. It ranks third globally for international faculty members.
10. Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech, ranked 114th for international student proportion and 71st overall, concludes the list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, more than 3,000 of its 20,600 students are from outside the U.S. Georgia Tech also operates five satellite campuses, including one in Metz, France, and offers international exchange programs with universities like the National University of Singapore.
Studying at these institutions not only provides a high-quality education but also offers the chance to engage with a global community, enriching both personal and academic experiences.
