US student imports and exports hit record levels

By Chris Parr. The number of overseas students attending university in the US reached a record 764,495 during the 2011-12 academic year, according to figures from the Institute of International Education.
The data, published annually in partnership with the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, show a 6 per cent increase on the previous year and reveal that foreign students contributed $22.7 billion (£14.3 billon) to the US economy during 2011-12. The number of international students in US higher education has risen for six consecutive years, and there are now 31 per cent more of them studying at US colleges and universities than a decade ago.
According to the data, the number of Chinese enrolments was up 23 per cent in total, 31 per cent among undergraduates alone - the largest increase at that level. There was also a 50 per cent rise in student numbers from Saudi Arabia, explained by the greater availability of Saudi government scholarships. Read more...