星空影视

International student enrollment in the US has been on a downward trajectory over the past year. Between former President Trump鈥檚 unwelcoming stance on international talent and the COVID-19 pandemic, new international student enrollment declined by 72% in 2020.¹

Despite this storm that resulted in the US accepting its lowest number of international student visa applications in years, there was reason to believe that things would improve. One of those reasons is the positive shift in the perception of the US among international students this year.

President Biden鈥檚 election, the US鈥檚 handling of the vaccine rollout, the reopening of international borders, and the recent joint announcement between the US Departments of State and Education have all contributed to international students, once again, feeling good about studying in the United States.

I鈥檓 happy to share that recent 星空影视data has revealed those good feelings have translated into decisions by international students. Last month, we saw nine times as many applications submitted to US schools via the 星空影视Platform than we did in July 2020.

Breaking Down the US Application Spike

In May, I wrote about the surge in popularity of the US as a study abroad destination. Fast forward three months, and I鈥檓 happy to report that the early uptick in international interest foreshadowed even better things to come.

星空影视Application Data

Applications to US schools on the 星空影视platform hit a low in July of 2020. Since then, numbers have trended upwards, with our highest-ever monthly total coming in April 2021, and interest has continued to persist throughout the past four months.

Given that the cutoff point for applying to most US programs comes in June or earlier, I鈥檓 very encouraged to see applications pouring in during the summer months. This suggests that students are looking past the academic year of 2021-2022, and are willing to commit to US programs beginning in 2022 and beyond.

Variety of Program Offerings a Competitive Advantage for US

The recent shift in the US political landscape and the pro-immigration stance that the Biden administration has taken makes the US feel like a welcoming place for international talent, but that鈥檚 not the only reason students are prioritizing the US over other destinations.

Recruitment professionals at our American partner schools credit program distribution as one of the biggest reasons attracting international students to the US. The large number of institutions, combined with the range of programs each institution offers, provides international students with a buffet of options.

Whatever field of study or specialization students are interested in, they鈥檙e likely to find a school or program that suits their preferences in the US. Other countries that contain a fraction of the schools can鈥檛 offer international talent that same opportunity.

US a Powerhouse in STEM Offerings

In addition to offering students a diverse range of study options, the US is also home to the highest number of schools that specialize in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)鈥攖he most sought-after program by international students studying in the United States.

In the 2019/2020 academic year, 51.8% of new international students enrolled in US programs were in STEM fields.²

It鈥檚 no secret that the US is a STEM powerhouse in the world of international education. We see this strength shining through in our program interest from US applicants. Nine of the 10 most popular programs on the 星空影视platform in 2021 are STEM programs.

The US鈥檚 attractiveness to STEM students is compounded by the STEM organizations across the United States who are prioritizing hiring international graduates of US schools. The in the US allows international STEM students to work in the US for up to 36 months following graduation鈥攖wo years longer than non-STEM students.

Not only are students positioning themselves within their preferred field of study, but they also have a clear path to securing employment with a company in that field. For international students interested in big tech, data science, or IT, choosing the US can be a turnkey decision.

The average advertised salary in the United States for an entry-level STEM job requiring a BA or higher is $66,123, compared to $52,299 for non-STEM jobs.³

Affordability of Housing

As economies around the world look to bounce back from the financial distress caused by the global pandemic, cost of living is top of mind for international students. The US finds itself in an advantageous position as we near the end of 2021鈥攊t鈥檚 a country that鈥檚 able to offer very competitive housing prices near desirable institutions.

Rent will always remain costly in high-density metro areas, but the US holds a competitive advantage due to the number of quality schools that exist in less expensive cities.

What Does This Mean for Canada?

As the US prepares to rebound after a five-year decline in international student enrollment, consequences loom for other popular destination markets.

Canada鈥檚 international education sector experienced a big boom from 2014 to 2019. Between the and Canada’s embrace of international students through measures like the , Canada was as attractive as it鈥檚 ever been to international students.

As the US begins to reopen under Biden鈥檚 leadership, the international recruitment wave that Canada has been riding is likely going to settle. The program variety, popular STEM pathways, and affordable cost of living that so many US schools offer definitely pose a threat to Canadian schools moving forward.

The PGWPP to PR pathway and the multiculturalism of Canada ensure that international students will always express strong interest in Canada as a study abroad destination. However, I anticipate a slowing of the growth trajectory of international interest in Canadian schools.

Looking Forward

Positive news has been breaking in bunches for international students looking to come to the US, and more seems to be on the horizon. As we await the impact of Biden鈥檚 new immigration blueprint, students are already pouring in before any real policy changes are made.

The US has already approved over in 2021. Meanwhile, there are thousands of reported cases of due to processing delays鈥攁n issue that the Biden administration has said is a priority to resolve.

This boom in international students has the potential to grow at an exponential rate before the year鈥檚 end. US institutions looking to prepare accordingly should consider:

• Communicating information to students about post-graduate work opportunities associated with their field of study, especially if they鈥檙e in STEM
• Educating prospective students about cost-effective living options on campus or in local communities
• Investing additional resources in international recruitment, particularly for STEM-focused schools located outside of high-density metropolitan areas

Published: August 27, 2021

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Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Meti is driven by the belief that education is a right, not a privilege. He leads the International Recruitment, Partner Relations, and Marketing teams at ApplyBoard, working to make education accessible to people around the world. Meti has been instrumental in building partnerships with 1,500+ educational institutions across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Working with over 7,500 international recruitment partners, 星空影视has assisted more than 200,000 students in their study abroad journey. for more access to ApplyInsights and key industry trends.

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FOOTNOTES:

1. F-1 and M-1 students only. All data courtesy of the , unless otherwise noted.

2.Source: Institute of International Education (IIE), .

3.Source: Burning Glass Technologies, , 2014.