Studying in the United States is a major goal for students from around the world. American universities offer thousands of degree programmes, research opportunities and pathways into different careers, but choosing where to apply can be difficult for an international student.
One useful place to start is by looking at universities that already have large international student communities.
According to the Open Doors 2025 report from the Institute of International Education (IIE), the United States hosted 1,177,766 international students during the 2024/25 academic year. These students came from more than 200 places of origin and studied at universities, colleges and other higher-education institutions across the country.
The following universities had the largest international-student populations in the latest Open Doors institutional data.
1. New York University
International students: 27,532
New York University (NYU) had the largest international-student population among U.S. institutions in the 2024/25 Open Doors data.
Located in New York City, NYU gives students access to one of the world's major financial, cultural and professional centres. Its international community is also one of the reasons it stands out to students looking for an American university with a highly global environment.
However, having a large international population does not mean admission is automatic. Students still need to meet the admission requirements for the particular programme they are applying to.
2. Northeastern University
International students: 22,465
Northeastern University in Boston ranked second, with 22,465 international students.
Northeastern is particularly known for its experiential-learning approach and its large presence in Boston. The university's international student population makes it another major destination for students coming to the United States from abroad.
Its location also puts students close to Boston's technology, healthcare, education and business sectors.
3. Columbia University
International students: 20,733
Columbia University in New York ranked third, with 20,733 international students.
As an Ivy League university in New York City, Columbia attracts students from around the world across undergraduate, graduate and professional programmes.
Students considering Columbia should remember that a large international population does not mean the university has relaxed admission standards. Columbia remains a highly selective institution, and applicants should carefully research the requirements for their chosen programme.
4. Arizona State University
International students: 20,368
Arizona State University (ASU) hosted 20,368 international students during 2024/25, making it the fourth-largest host institution overall and the No. 1 public university for international students in the latest Open Doors data.
ASU reported that these students came from 165 countries and were pursuing bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
For students specifically looking for a large public university with an established international community, ASU deserves serious consideration.
5. University of Southern California
International students: 17,884
The University of Southern California (USC) had 17,884 international students in 2024/25.
Located in Los Angeles, USC places students in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Los Angeles is home to major industries including entertainment, technology, healthcare, business and media.
For an international student, location can be an important part of the university decision because internships, networking and employment opportunities can depend heavily on the surrounding economy.
6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
International students: 16,144
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosted 16,144 international students.
The university is particularly notable for its strength across areas such as engineering, computer science, business and other research-intensive fields.
For students interested in STEM subjects, it can be worth comparing the specific programme rather than choosing a university based only on its overall international-student numbers.
7. University of North Texas
International students: 12,982
The University of North Texas had 12,982 international students in the latest Open Doors data.
Located in Denton, Texas, the university gives international students another option outside the largest coastal cities.
Texas has a large and diverse economy, and students considering universities in the state can compare programme costs, living expenses, location and employment opportunities alongside admission requirements.
8. Purdue University
International students: 12,874
Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, hosted 12,874 international students.
Purdue is particularly well known for engineering, technology and other STEM-related programmes. For students interested in these fields, the university's programme-specific requirements and career outcomes may be more useful indicators than the overall number of international students.
9. Boston University
International students: 12,845
Boston University hosted 12,845 international students during 2024/25.
Boston is one of America's major higher-education centres, with numerous universities and colleges located in and around the city.
For international applicants, studying in Boston can provide access to a large student population and a major professional ecosystem, although the cost of living is an important factor to consider.
10. University of California, Berkeley
International students: 12,020
The University of California, Berkeley, had 12,020 international students in 2024/25.
Berkeley is a globally recognised public research university located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its proximity to the technology and innovation ecosystem around Silicon Valley can be particularly attractive to students interested in technology, engineering, business and related fields.
Again, international-student numbers should not be confused with admission rates. Applicants need to evaluate the requirements and competitiveness of their specific programme.
The full top 10
| Rank | University | International students |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | 27,532 |
| 2 | Northeastern University | 22,465 |
| 3 | Columbia University | 20,733 |
| 4 | Arizona State University | 20,368 |
| 5 | University of Southern California | 17,884 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 16,144 |
| 7 | University of North Texas | 12,982 |
| 8 | Purdue University | 12,874 |
| 9 | Boston University | 12,845 |
| 10 | University of California, Berkeley | 12,020 |
Source: Open Doors 2025. The figures include international students enrolled at the institutions and international students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), according to the Open Doors methodology.
Does having more international students mean the university is easier to get into?
No.
This is one of the most important things applicants should understand.
A university can have thousands of international students and still be highly competitive.
The Open Doors ranking measures the number of international students hosted by an institution. It does not rank universities by acceptance rate or tell applicants how easy it is to receive an offer.
For example, NYU and Columbia both have very large international populations, but their admission processes remain competitive.
Instead of asking only, “Which university accepts the most international students?”, applicants should ask:
Does the university offer my course?
What are the academic requirements?
What are the English-language requirements?
How much will tuition cost?
What will accommodation and living expenses cost?
Are scholarships available?
Does the university provide financial aid to international students?
What are the requirements for international applicants?
What career opportunities are available after graduation?
What are the visa requirements?
Public universities can be a strong option
One particularly interesting finding from the Open Doors data is the large role played by public universities.
Overall, 59% of international students in the United States studied at public institutions during 2024/25.
Arizona State University was the leading public university in international-student enrollment, followed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University and the University of California, Berkeley.
This means international students should not focus exclusively on private universities.
A public university can offer a large international community while providing a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes.
What are international students studying?
The United States attracts international students across many academic fields.
According to Open Doors, 26% of international students studied mathematics and computer science during 2024/25, while 18% studied engineering. Business and management accounted for another 14%, followed by physical and life sciences at 8% and social sciences at 7%.
That helps explain why universities with strong technology, engineering and business programmes feature prominently among institutions hosting large international populations.
However, students should choose a university based on their own academic and career goals rather than simply following the most popular subject.
How much does it cost to study in the United States?
The cost varies dramatically between universities, programmes and locations.
International students should calculate the total cost of attendance, not just tuition.
This can include:
Tuition and university fees
Accommodation
Food
Health insurance
Books and study materials
Transportation
Visa-related costs
Personal expenses
Flights to and from home
Living in a major city such as New York, Boston or Los Angeles can also produce very different living expenses from studying in a smaller city.
A university with lower tuition is not necessarily cheaper overall if accommodation and living costs are significantly higher.
Can international students get scholarships?
Yes, but scholarships and financial aid vary significantly between universities.
Some institutions offer merit-based scholarships, while others may provide need-based financial aid or scholarships specifically for international students.
Students should check the university's official financial-aid and international-admissions pages rather than relying on third-party websites promising guaranteed scholarships.
When comparing universities, look at:
Tuition + living costs − confirmed financial aid = estimated amount you need to fund
Do not treat a scholarship as guaranteed until the university has officially awarded it to you.
What should international students look for when choosing a university?
The university with the largest international population is not automatically the best choice for every student.
A better approach is to create a shortlist based on several factors.
1. Your course
Start with the degree.
A university may be excellent overall but not necessarily the strongest choice for your particular subject.
2. Admission requirements
Check the exact requirements for international applicants and your academic level.
Requirements can differ between undergraduate, master's and doctoral programmes.
3. Total cost
Compare tuition, accommodation and living expenses.
Do not compare tuition alone.
4. Scholarships
Find out what scholarships international students can actually apply for and check their deadlines.
5. Location
Consider the city's cost of living, climate, transportation, safety, internship opportunities and proximity to industries related to your career.
6. International support
A large international community can be useful, but also look at the university's international student office, orientation programmes, academic support and career services.
7. Career opportunities
Look beyond rankings.
Check whether the programme offers internships, work-integrated learning, research opportunities, industry connections or other experiences relevant to your career.
What does this mean for students from Africa?
Students from African countries should not assume that studying in the United States is limited to a handful of elite universities.
The Open Doors data shows international students studying across a wide range of U.S. institutions, including large public universities.
For a student from South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or another African country, the strongest strategy is to build a balanced university list.
That could include:
Reach universities — highly competitive institutions where admission is difficult.
Target universities — institutions where your academic profile is reasonably competitive.
Safer options — universities where your qualifications give you a stronger chance of admission.
This approach is generally more useful than applying only to the universities with the largest international populations.
The biggest takeaway
The United States remains one of the world's major destinations for international education.
The latest Open Doors data shows that nearly 1.18 million international students studied at U.S. higher-education institutions during the 2024/25 academic year.
New York University had the largest international-student population, while Arizona State University was the leading public university.
But the number of international students should be treated as a starting point, not an admission guarantee.
If you are planning to study in the United States, compare universities based on your course, academic qualifications, budget, scholarship opportunities, location and long-term career goals.
The best university for you is not necessarily the university with the most international students.
It is the university that gives you the strongest realistic combination of academic fit, affordability, support and career opportunity.
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