Overview
The international student market for U.S. independent schools has leveled off after many years of explosive growth. Although over 31,000 students studied at close to 750 NAIS-affiliated schools in 2017, this represented growth of less than 1% from 2015; at all private schools in the U.S., international student enrollment declined by 2% during that period.Historically, international students and their families have commonly believed that a U.S. secondary education will make them more competitive applicants to U.S. institutions of higher education. In countries such as China, U.S. universities are often perceived as offering more practical coursework and holistic assessments than their home country counterparts, while also having a somewhat less competitive admissions process. However, international students often feel more pressure from their families to get into a highly ranked college than domestic applicants, regardless of fit.
Now, the coronavirus pandemic has made recruiting and retaining students from around the world for the 2020-2021 academic year very challenging. Hurdles abound, from COVID-related health and safety concerns to travel bans and F-1 visa issuance challenges, all of which are contributing to family anxiety and uncertainty about study in the United States. More than ever, independent schools must demonstrate their unique value proposition to current and prospective international students and their families. To do so, they must ask: Why do international families choose a particular independent school?
Executive Summary
Independent schools looking to showcase their value proposition to prospective international families can make a strong case for themselves through the postsecondary successes of their alumni. Using data provided by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NAIS analyzed the college choices of international students in the classes of 2015 through 2019 and found that international students in NAIS schools matriculate to highly ranked institutions in the United States (as defined by U.S. News & World Report) at rates that far outstrip that of their peers at non-NAIS schools. Sixty-five percent of international student alumni of NAIS schools attended a top 100 national university or a top 25 liberal arts college; 17% attended a top 25 institution, 6% a top 10. Twenty-eight percent attended a highly selective school, compared to less than 4% and 6% of their public and non-NAIS private school peers, respectively.
The COVID-19 crisis and subsequent restrictions on international students have placed a heavy burden on international parents who are considering sending their child to school abroad. However, though their context may have changed, the outcomes they seek for their child remain the same. It is clear from the SEVP data that NAIS schools provide remarkable educational opportunities for international students. As admissions offices and agents around the world work to build their classes during a pandemic, these data can help guide their efforts to address parents’ concerns and build a strong case for the value of an NAIS education in these challenging times.
Downloadable Content
- Full report: International Student College Matriculation from NAIS Schools, 2015-2019 (PDF)