NC State Global is committed to advancing educational opportunities that prepare all students for success in an increasingly interconnected world. The 2023 Open Doors report, commissioned by the U.S. Department of State and compiled by the Institute of International Education, documents NC State’s growth in global educational exchanges.
NC State continues to host the largest international student body in the UNC system, according to the recent Open Doors Report. During the 2022-2023 academic year, NC State’s international student enrollment grew by 1.6% to 5,281. 12% of these students were undergraduates; 59% were graduates; and 27% were engaged in post-completion practical training.
NC State International Students Top 10 Countries of Origin
- India
- China
- Bangladesh
- South Korea
- Iran
- Taiwan
- Brazil
- Turkey
- Egypt
- Saudi Arabia
“International students are valued members of our Wolfpack community, broadening the talent, intellectual diversity, and cultural richness of our campus” says Amy Conger, vice provost for Global Engagement. Representing 123 countries, international student enrollment at NC State reflects our strength in STEM education, with top enrollment in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Leading the UNC system, NC State’s enrollment accounts for 22% of all international students across the state’s public and private institutions. North Carolina currently ranks 14th in the nation for hosting international students with 23,488 students statewide. In addition to enhancing our academic programs and research endeavors, NAFSA: Association of International Educators estimates that international students enrolled in North Carolina’s colleges and universities contributed over $816 million to the state’s economy last year.
Recognizing the contributions of our international student community, we also celebrate the substantial growth in our study abroad programs. The Open Doors Report documents the number of U.S. citizen and permanent resident students who participated in credit-bearing study abroad programs during the 2021-2022 academic year. The state of North Carolina ranks 7th in the nation for sending students abroad, and NC State was an important driver in that ranking. The NC State Open Doors total was 1,028 U.S. students, marking a significant increase from the previous year, when overseas travel was limited by the pandemic.
Also worth noting are the NC State study abroad participants who are not captured in the Open Doors figures. Our campus participation rates are higher when we include international degree seeking students and pre-matriculation Spring Connect students who also studied abroad on NC State programs. When these additional students are included, the total number of NC State students abroad during the 2021-2022 academic year was 1,088. This growth aligns with our commitment to providing diverse global learning opportunities that extend beyond our campus borders.
Our students explored the world through a broad range of programs, with over 60% choosing summer sessions led by NC State faculty. The Poole College of Management and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences led the way with the largest cohorts of participants.
The Czech Republic, home to NC State’s European Center, emerged as the top host location for our students, followed by Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France. NC State Global dispersed over $700,000 in scholarship funding, emphasizing our commitment to addressing financial needs and expanding student access to global learning.
NC State Study Abroad Top 10 Destinations
- Czech Republic
- Italy
- France
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- South Korea
- South Africa
- Germany
- Argentina
- Thailand and Ecuador
NC State’s commitment to global learning extends beyond statistics. We actively engage international students on campus, provide high-impact study abroad experiences, and foster global perspectives across all of our disciplines. These efforts are critical for student learning and continued prosperity for our university and our state.
About Open Doors: The Open Doors Report provides comprehensive information on international students and scholars in the United States and on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit. Commissioned by the U.S. State Department and compiled by the Institute of International Education, Open Doors data provide useful analyses of student mobility trends and the economic impact of international exchange.
This post was originally published in Office of Global Engagement.
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