Purdue is top destination for international students in STEM fields

March 26, 2015  


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University is the top STEM school for international students, according to a report released Wednesday (March 25) by the U.S. government. It also is popular for female students in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Purdue is second in the nation overall and first among public institutions for international student populations.

“A key component to Purdue’s reputation is part of the global experience and diversity that our STEM programs offer,” said Michael Brzezinski, dean of international programs. “These disciplines are globally diverse, and the Purdue experience offers American students a community that prepares them for these industries.”

Purdue has 7,111 international students in the STEM fields, followed by the universities of Southern California with 6,801 and Illinois with 6,281. Purdue also ranks fifth for the number of female students in STEM programs with 1,785. The larger programs are the University of Southern California, Columbia University, University of Illinois and Northeastern University.

The report was released by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program as part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. As of Feb. 6 when the data was collected, 37 percent of international students studying in the United States were enrolled in STEM coursework, and 86 percent of them were from Asia.

According to the government report, Purdue has 10,516 international students, which is more than any public school and is second in the nation to the University of Southern California’s 12,480. These numbers are based on 1.13 million international students who are using academic or vocational visas, and includes those who are employed within the United States after graduation under the student optional practical training category. 

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu 

Source: Mike Brzezinski, 765-496-6085, mbrzezinski@purdue.edu 

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