Beyond Borders: The Push Factors Behind International Students’ Move to U.S. Colleges
Leah Heimer
Kent School, Kent, CT, United States
Publication date: April 2, 2025
Kent School, Kent, CT, United States
Publication date: April 2, 2025
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC202443
ABSTRACT
This study examines various home-country factors that influence the number of students from different countries who choose to attend universities in the United States. Unlike previous research, which primarily focused on the pull characteristics of American universities, this study considers the characteristics of a student's home country. By analyzing seven data sets, the study identifies significant correlations between the number of students studying in the U.S. from a country and variables such as intentional homicide rates, home country pupil-teacher ratios, internet access, as well as income group, and regional dummy variables. These findings offer valuable insights into the motivations driving international students to pursue higher education in the United States and are useful to college admissions administrators considering international recruitment efforts.
This study examines various home-country factors that influence the number of students from different countries who choose to attend universities in the United States. Unlike previous research, which primarily focused on the pull characteristics of American universities, this study considers the characteristics of a student's home country. By analyzing seven data sets, the study identifies significant correlations between the number of students studying in the U.S. from a country and variables such as intentional homicide rates, home country pupil-teacher ratios, internet access, as well as income group, and regional dummy variables. These findings offer valuable insights into the motivations driving international students to pursue higher education in the United States and are useful to college admissions administrators considering international recruitment efforts.
