During the previous academic year, U.S. higher education institutions saw an unprecedented influx of nearly 25,600 students from Vietnam. As such, Vietnam now holds the title of being the fifth most significant source of international students for the United States.
The 2024-2025 academic session witnessed a significant 15.9% increase in Vietnamese students studying in the U.S., taking the total count to 25,584. This not only marked the highest inflow of Vietnamese students ever recorded but also contributed nearly US$1.15 billion to the U.S. economy.
The data, which was recorded by the Institute of International Education (IIE), is the highest it has ever been since the IIE commenced tracking Vietnamese students in the U.S. in the 2000-2001 academic session.
The majority of these students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, comprising 63% of the total. They were followed by graduate students at 17.3%, students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) at 14.2%, and non-degree students making up the remainder.
In the same academic year, more than 1.17 million international students from over 200 countries and territories chose to study in the U.S., marking a 4.5% increase from the previous academic year. These international students constituted 6% of the total U.S. higher education population and contributed nearly $55 billion to the U.S. economy, thereby supporting over 355,000 jobs.
The top countries contributing to the U.S. student population were India with 363,019 students (a 9.5% increase), China with 265,919 students (a 4% decrease), South Korea with 42,293 students (a 2% decrease), and Canada with 29,903 students (a 3% increase).
Interestingly, while there was a 2.7% decrease in the number of students enrolled in graduate programs (master’s or doctorate degrees), undergraduate student enrollment witnessed an increase of 4.2%. This marks the first significant surge in undergraduate enrollment since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of international students pursuing OPT also experienced a substantial growth, reaching 294,253 – constituting a 21% increase from the previous year.
Over half (57%) of international students across all academic levels pursued STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The most popular fields were Mathematics and Computer Science, chosen by one in four students, followed by Engineering, and Business & Management.
However, it is important to note that despite the overall growth in the number of international students, new enrollments, i.e., students studying for the first time, decreased by 7.2% to 277,118 in 2024-2025.
What was the increase in Vietnamese students studying in the U.S. during the 2024-2025 academic year?
The number of Vietnamese students studying in the U.S. increased by 15.9% during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Which countries contributed the most to the U.S. student population in the 2024-2025 academic year?
The top countries contributing to the U.S. student population in the 2024-2025 academic year were India, China, South Korea, and Canada.
Which academic fields were the most popular among international students in the 2024-2025 academic year?
The most popular academic fields among international students in the 2024-2025 academic year were Mathematics and Computer Science, followed by Engineering, and Business & Management.
