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US: foreign students prop 313,000 jobs

International students in the United States and their families supported 313,000 jobs and contributed US$24 billion to the economy in the 2012-2013 academic year according to the latest estimates by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Jobs supported increased 6% and dollars contributed to the economy nearly 10% on 2011-2012's results

Based on NAFSA’s analysis, for every seven of the 819,644 international students enrolled, three US jobs are created or supported by spending in tuition and living costs.

The data shows a 6% increase in job support creation, up from 300,000 in the last academic year,  and nearly 10% gains in dollars contributed to the economy on 2011-2012’s results.

“These data clearly show the tremendous economic opportunity costs we face unless the House acts decisively to break down barriers for the best and the brightest international students and scholars to come here”

However OECD data shows the US’s market share has slipped 10% prompting NAFSA to call for  “government policies and strategies to ensure we remain globally competitive”.

“These data clearly show the tremendous economic opportunity costs we face unless the House acts decisively to break down barriers for the best and the brightest international students and scholars to come here,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene Johnson.

In June, the Senate passed a bill that, among other proposals, would increase the number of temporary skilled worker visas and allow US graduates with graduate degrees in STEM fields to apply for green cards.

The legislation has moved to the House of Representatives where it has been stalled by republicans who oppose a 13 year path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants in the country.

Despite strong support from the White House, there are doubts that the House will reach a decision on the bill before its session ends this year on December 13th.

“The Senate has already acted, so now the House must pass commonsense, comprehensive immigration reform so that we can expand our ability to recruit, integrate, and graduate talented international students, strengthen our economy, and reclaim the values that make this nation a land of opportunity, equality, and freedom,” commented Johnson.

California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and Pennsylvania were the states that saw the largest benefits from international student spending. Job trends show students supported jobs mostly in higher education but the accommodation, dining, retail, transportation, telecommunications and health insurance sectors also benefited.

The overall analysis is based on international student enrolment data from the 2013 Open Doors report released this week and tuition and living expenses data from the US Department of Education’s National Center of Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

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One Response to US: foreign students prop 313,000 jobs

  1. When there is a rich contributions to the us economy & for job creations from foreign students.
    There must be some relaxations for green card etc. these foreign students with somw more relation of working while studying.

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