Key Insights from the 2025 Open Doors Report on International Students

InAmerica Team
Nov 28, 2025
4 min read

The 2025 Open Doors Report, released by the Institute of International Education (IIE), reveals significant trends shaping the landscape of international education in the United States. This authoritative report, published annually for over 76 years in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, offers detailed data on international student enrollment, fields of study, and post-graduation work opportunities. The latest edition highlights record-breaking growth in international student numbers, a surge in STEM fields, and evolving patterns in work authorization through OPT (Optional Practical Training). These insights provide valuable guidance for students, educators, and policymakers interested in the future of global education in the U.S.

The 2024/25 academic year marks a historic milestone with over 1.17 million international students enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions. This number represents a 4.5% increase from the previous year, underscoring the growing importance of international students to American universities.

International students now make up 6.1% of the total U.S. student population.
The combined enrollment from China and India accounts for more than half (53.4%) of all international students.
Undergraduate enrollment among international students increased by 4.2%, while graduate enrollment saw a slight decline of 2.7%.

This shift suggests that more families worldwide are encouraging students to pursue undergraduate studies in the U.S. earlier, allowing them to adapt to the American education system sooner. Meanwhile, graduate enrollment faces challenges such as visa policies and employment prospects.

Growth in OPT Participation Reflects Rising Work Opportunities

One of the most striking findings is the sharp increase in international students staying in the U.S. for work after graduation through the OPT program. OPT allows students on F-1 visas to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, with extensions available for STEM graduates.

The number of international students on OPT reached 294,253, a 21.2% increase from the previous year.
Chinese students, despite a slight decline in overall enrollment, showed a rise in OPT participation, indicating a growing desire to gain work experience in the U.S.
This trend reflects a shift in priorities for many international students, from purely academic goals to career development and employment opportunities.

The OPT surge highlights the U.S. as a preferred destination not only for education but also for launching global careers.

China and India Remain Leading Source Countries

India continues to lead as the largest source of international students in the U.S., with 363,019 students enrolled, a 9.5% increase from last year. China follows with 265,919 students, though its numbers declined by 4.1%.

Indian students now represent the largest share of international enrollment.
Chinese undergraduate enrollment dropped by 10.2%, while graduate numbers fell by 2.1%.
Despite these declines, Chinese students on OPT increased slightly by 0.7%, signaling a focus on employment after graduation.

Other top countries sending students to the U.S. include South Korea, Canada, Vietnam, Nepal, Taiwan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Brazil. The data reflects shifting global dynamics and the growing diversity of the international student body.

STEM Fields Dominate International Student Preferences

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs remain the most popular choice among international students, accounting for 57% of all enrollments.

Mathematics and computer science lead within STEM, attracting the highest number of students.
Engineering programs enrolled 217,016 students, a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
Business and management fields follow STEM in popularity, with 159,857 students.

In contrast, fields like communication and journalism attract fewer international students, with only about 20,000 enrolled. The strong preference for STEM reflects global demand for skills in technology and innovation, as well as the availability of OPT extensions for STEM graduates.

Popular Universities for International Students

The report identifies the top U.S. universities attracting international students in 2024/25:

New York University leads with 27,532 international students.
Northeastern University (Boston campus), Columbia University, Arizona State University, and the University of Southern California follow closely.
Other notable institutions include the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of North Texas, Purdue University, Boston University, and the University of California, Berkeley.

These universities are often located in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, offering strong economic opportunities, safer environments, and vibrant cultural scenes. International students increasingly consider factors like cost-effectiveness and career prospects when choosing schools, favoring institutions with strong STEM programs and good job placement records.

The 2025 Open Doors Report offers several takeaways for students planning to study in the U.S.:

Growing competition and opportunities: With international student numbers at an all-time high, competition for spots at top universities is intense, but opportunities for work experience after graduation have expanded.
STEM fields offer strong career paths: Students interested in STEM disciplines benefit from higher enrollment, better job prospects, and extended OPT work authorization.
Strategic university selection matters: Beyond prestigious names, universities with strong STEM programs and located in economically vibrant cities provide better value and career opportunities.
OPT participation signals a shift: Many students now view U.S. education as a pathway to employment, not just academic achievement.