The U.S. higher education sector continued its strong post-pandemic rebound in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth in international student enrollment. According to the latest SEVIS by the Numbers report, nearly 1.6 million F-1 and M-1 students chose the U.S. as their study destination last year—a 5% increase from the year before.
A key driver of this growth is the rising number of international students pursuing opportunities in STEM fields. In 2024, over 165,000 students were authorized for STEM OPT participation, setting a new record and surpassing pre-2020 levels. These graduates are finding pathways into top-tier employers across technology, academia, and finance—highlighting the strong synergy between global talent and high-demand industries.
As more students from around the world look to the U.S. for advanced education and career alignment, the latest SEVIS data sheds light on shifting demographics and evolving academic interests. In this piece, we’ll delve into the regions gaining momentum and the study areas commanding the most attention.
