Economic Impact of International Students

The continued growth in international students coming to the U.S. for higher education had a significant positive economic impact on the United States. International students contributed $45 billion to the U.S. economy in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Open Doors 2019 reports that about 62 percent of all international students receive the majority of their funds from sources outside of the United States, including personal and family sources as well as assistance from their home country governments or universities. Students from around the world who study in the United States also contribute to America’s scientific and technical research and bring international perspectives into U.S. classrooms, helping prepare American undergraduates for global careers, and often lead to longer-term business relationships and economic benefits. Additional breakdowns of economic impact by state and Congressional District, calculated using Open Doors enrollment figures, are available on the NAFSA International Student Economic Value Tool website.

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See breakdown of economic impact data by U.S. State

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