Purdue's international student population ranks 2nd for public schools, 3rd overall

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University continues to have the second-largest international student population among U.S. public universities and is third overall, according to a report released Monday (Nov. 11) by the Institute of International Education.

"This consistently strong international student enrollment is evidence of Purdue's world-known quality that keeps Purdue on the map, literally, for global businesses and other institutions. This translates into more internship opportunities and research partnerships, which ultimately benefit our students and faculty," said Suresh Garimella, the university's chief global affairs officer. "International diversity also helps prepare our students for careers in the global workforce."

The 2013 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange is based on the 2012-13 academic year, and it reports Purdue had 9,509 international students. This number is larger than Purdue's reported 8,562 for Fall 2012 because the institute includes recent graduates who are still affiliated with their universities. The Open Doors report shows an increase of 946 while Purdue's records show a jump of 628.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked first among U.S. public institutions with 9,804 international students. A private school, the University of Southern California, ranked first on the overall list, and New York University, also private, ranked fourth. Last year, Purdue was ranked fourth overall and New York University was third.

Purdue also had the largest number of undergraduate international students at 4,974 in 2012-13.

Nationally, the number of international students attending American universities and colleges increased more than 7 percent from 764,495 in the previous report to a record high 819,644. This is the seventh year that the number of international students studying in the United States has increased.

The state of Indiana also saw a 10 percent increase from 22,194 to 24,408. Indiana is ranked 10th among states with largest international student populations, and Indiana University is ranked 13th on the Open Doors overall list with 6,547 international students.

"West Lafayette and the state of Indiana not only benefit culturally from these international student populations but also economically," said Michael Brzezinski, dean of international programs. "These future Purdue alumni, as well as their families, and even corporate partner connections, also take an interest in our university and community."

According to the recent Open Doors report, international students contributed $24 billion to the U.S. economy. In 2011-12 international students studying in Indiana contributed $688.2 million to the Indiana economy according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

This fall Purdue reported an increase of 140 international students, bringing the current number to a record of 8,702. These students represent 126 countries with 4,323 from China, 1,355 from India and 733 from South Korea. China has the most international students studying in the United States.

Nationally, 283,000 American students studied abroad during 2011-12. The number of American students from Purdue who studied abroad during the same time was 1,312. This fall Purdue President Mitch Daniels announced that increasing study abroad participation was one of the university's key initiatives. Purdue's goal is for a third of all undergraduate students to participate in an international study, internship or research credit-bearing experience before graduation. Currently about 19 percent of graduates at the undergraduate level have participated in a study abroad program.

The Open Doors report is published in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Institute of International Education has conducted an annual statistical survey of international students in the United States since its founding in 1919 and in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since 1972.

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

Sources:  Suresh Garimella, 765-494-9095, sureshg@purdue.edu

              Joe Potts, associate dean of international programs and director Office of International Students and Scholars, 765-494-5361, jdpotts@purdue.edu