Most Popular Subjects Among International Students in the U.S.

International students are reshaping academic priorities in U.S. higher education, with a pronounced shift toward tech-driven disciplines. The Open Doors 2024 report highlights that 56% of international students are enrolled in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields in academic year 2023-24. At the undergraduate level, Business and Management is leading the charts, pulling 18% of students, while Math & Computer Science closely follows at 17%. Among graduate students, the shift toward technology is more pronounced: Nearly 30% are pursuing advanced degrees in Math and Computer Science, and 21% are enrolled in Engineering programs. Meanwhile, traditional domains like Social Sciences have observed a decline, with just 7% graduate representation.

Undergraduate Level: Favourite Subjects of International Students in the U.S.

At the undergraduate level, international students in the U.S. for the 2023-24 academic year gravitated heavily toward STEM fields, particularly engineering, computer science, and biological sciences. However, business and management courses remained the top choices. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, these disciplines collectively account for the majority of enrollments, reflecting the high demand for tech-driven and business-oriented academic programs among international students.


Source: International Student Census, 2023/24 (Open Doors Report 2024)

Graduate Level: Top Picks of International Students in the U.S.

For the 2023-24 academic year, international graduate students in the U.S. overwhelmingly favored STEM disciplines, with mathematics, engineering, and computer science leading the pack, according to the Open Doors 2024 report. These fields, known for their innovation-driven curricula and lucrative career paths, dominate enrollment trends. The data underscores a global academic pivot toward technology and research-oriented program.


Source: International Student Census, 2023/24 (Open Doors Report 2024)

International Student Enrollment Trends in the US: STEM Fields Dominate

The Open Doors 2024 report highlights distinct academic preferences among international students in U.S. institutions at undergraduate and graduate levels, reflecting evolving global educational trends. Undergraduate students gravitate toward business and management courses, leading with 18% enrollment, followed by math and computer science (17%) and engineering (12%). Meanwhile, social sciences (11%) and physical and life sciences (7%) also maintain steady interest, showcasing a balanced demand across STEM and professional fields.

Graduate students exhibit a pronounced focus on technical disciplines. Math and computer science dominate with 29% enrollment, followed by engineering at 21%, reinforcing the U.S.’s position as a global leader in tech and innovation. Business and management attract 12%, while physical and life sciences and social sciences trail at 9% and 7%, respectively.

This data leads us straight to a clear trend: While undergraduate international students maintain a balanced interest across professional and STEM fields, graduate students are more sharply focused on tech-driven disciplines

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