
In 2011 - 2012, international students who came to the U.S. contributed over $22 billion to the U.S. economy. This includes money students spend on tuition, housing, food, and other expenses in their local communities throughout the U.S.
The State Department collects information on the impact that international students have on the U.S. economy.
Open Doors, supported by a grant from the Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, provides a comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars studying or teaching at higher education institutions in the United States, and U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit at their home colleges or universities.
Every year, U.S. embassies, the Departments of State, Commerce, and Education, and U.S. colleges and universities use Open Doors data to inform policy decisions about educational exchanges, trade in educational services and study abroad activity.
Sources for ECA’s impact data include: IIE’s Open Doors Report, 2011-12; National Council of International Visitors; Integrated Management System (IMS); Academic Exchanges Information System (AEISII); and SEVIS. Open Doors 2012 data contains statistics and trends regarding international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities during the 2011/12 academic year and U.S. students who studied abroad for academic credit at their home institutions during the 2011/12 academic year, including summer 2012. For last year's information, see the 2011 map.