International Student Enrollment at American Universities

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International Student Enrollment at American Universities

During our secondary data search, we were enlightened to the many issues, which face an international student when choosing a university. In this paper we would like to first highlight trends of international student enrollment in American universities. Next, we will discuss the advantages of studying in the United States. Finally, we would like to list some of the many reasons that an international student may choose a certain university.

Trends in Enrollment

The study of enrollment trends in groups of international students shows how changes in a university’s environment and characteristics will affect its total enrollment (Paulsen). According to the Institute for International Education, the number of international students studying at American colleges and universities increased by 5.1 percent in the 1997-98 school year to a total of 481,280 (Honan). Fifty-percent of these students enter universities as undergraduates with the rest entering to pursue a graduate or professional education. (edupass.org) Remarkably, fifty-percent of those undergraduates are enrolled in community colleges (Backman, 1984), and according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, twice as many international students are enrolled in community colleges as where ten years ago (Desruissueaux, 1998).

Increases in enrollment may be attributed to many factors. William Honan of the New York Times attributes this increase in enrollment to increased overseas recruiting, the Asian economic crisis, and the decreased cost of community colleges. Economic factors may effect enrollment trends more than any other factor. For example, enrollment may be effected positively from decreasing oppor...

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...Paulsen, M.B. (1990, May). Understanding Student Enrollment Behavior. (ED 333 845)

Paulsen Michael B., and Thomas F. Pogue. 1998. “Higher Education Enrollment: The Interaction of Labor Market Conditions, Curriculum, and Selectivity.” Economics of Education Review 7(3): 275-290

Manski, Charles F., and David A Wise. 1983. “College Choice in America. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Backman, E.L. “Approaches to International Education.” New York: Macmillan, 1984.

Unknown Author. “Why Study Abroad?”

Unknown Author. “Advantages of a US Education”

Zikopoulos, Marianthi and Barber, Elinor G. (1986). Choosing Schools from Afar. (ED 272 082)

Honan, William H., “Study Finds Increase in Number of Foreign Students at U.S. Colleges,” New York Times, December 7, 1998.

McDonnell, Mike. “Things to consider when Evaluating Colleges.”

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