Find Out How Your State and District Benefit from Intl Students

NAFSA International Student Economic Value Tool
How Does Your State and District Benefit from International Students?

NAFSA’s analysis of the 2014-2015 academic year shows that international students and their dependents contributed $30.5 billion to the U.S. economy.

NAFSA also estimates that 373,381 jobs were created or supported during this same timeframe, meaning three U.S. jobs were created or supported for every seven enrolled international students (analysis excludes students on post-completion optional practical training).* This is an 9.8% increase in jobs supported and a 13.8% increase in dollars contributed to the economy from the prior academic year.
With NAFSA’s International Student Economic Value Tool, you can:

• Access national, state, and congressional-district level data;
• View ten-year trends and detailed job sector analysis; and
• Use data in advocacy with institutional leadership as well as government officials.

The economic contributions of international students are in addition to the immeasurable academic and cultural value these students bring to our campuses and local communities. They support innovation and research, build bridges between Americans and other nationalities, and bring global perspectives into U.S. classrooms.
*The analysis is conducted on NAFSA’s behalf by Jason Baumgartner with Indiana University-Bloomington’s Office of International Services using data from the following sources: enrollment data from the Open Doors report, published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; tuition and expense data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center of Educational Statistics; and job creation data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and Bureau of Economic Analysis.