The Institute for International Education released its Fall 2020 International Student Enrolment Snapshot presenting current international student enrolment patterns in the U.S.A. based on data from over 700 U.S. higher education institutions. The report focuses on international students studying in person or online (in the U.S. or from abroad) at U.S. higher education institutions in Fall 2020. The findings reflect how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the U.S. higher education sector and global student mobility to the United States. The report, conducted by IIE and nine partner higher education associations, is released jointly with and complements Open Doors 2020, which provides a comprehensive view of international student trends from the previous year (2019/20).  

 In Fall 2020, institutions responding to the Snapshot reported an overall 16 percent decrease in international students enrolled in all years of study, including those on campus, online in the U.S., and online outside the U.S. The data indicate that 80 percent of international students are studying in the United States while 20 percent of international students are enrolled online outside the United States. (To compare, 99.6 percent of international students were physically in the United States in Fall 2019). 

Among new international students attending U.S. higher education institutions both in the United States and those pursuing full-time course work virtually outside the United States, enrolment has decreased by 43 percent. More new international students began their coursework online outside the United States than inside the United States. Responding colleges and universities report that 49 percent of new international students are in the United States and 51 percent of new international students are enrolled online outside the United States in Fall 2020. As a result, responding colleges and universities report that new enrolment of international students physically in the United States declined by 72 percent.  90 percent of institutions report international student deferrals. These institutions indicate that more than 40,000 international students have deferred their enrolment to a future term.  

 You can view the full report here.