HE major source of US growth

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16 februari 2015 | The 886,052 international students and their families at universities and colleges across the USA supported 340,000 jobs and contributed $26.8 billion to the economy during the 2013-2014 academic year. This means a growth of 12% in investment.

These new figures are published by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Each year, NAFSA produces a detailed regional, state-by-state, and congressional district analysis on the economic benefits of spending by international students and their dependents to the U.S. economy.

More than economic value

These figures indicate that higher education is a major source of growth and wealth for developed countries. These 2013-14 outcomes show a 8.5% increase in job support and creation, and a nearly 12% increase in dollars contributed to the economy compared tot 2012-13.

NAFSA emphasizes that there is more to this. International students not only contribute economic value, they build bridges between the United States and other countries. This brings global perspectives into U.S. classrooms and research labs and supports innovation through science and engineering coursework, making it possible for U.S. colleges and universities to offer these courses to U.S. students. The presence of international students has another benefit as well: they support programming and services on campus for all students by paying out-of-state tuition, funded largely by non-U.S. sources.