Taking into account factors important to international students interested in studying in the US, the list features 181 schools that provide services such as international student body organisations, ESL programs and year-round housing.

“A list of international student friendly universities in the US is long overdue”

Complied in alphabetical order, featured schools range from private institutions such as Columbia University in New York, American University in Washington and California Institute of Technology, to public schools including the University of Virginia and Mississippi State University.

To create it, US News reviewed data collected in an annual survey to determine which US schools are successfully supporting their international students both in and outside of the classroom.

Using input from US News Global Education, a methodology that considered academic factors such as the six-year graduation rate for international students as well as social and cultural support systems was developed.

Additionally, a white paper regarding resources that international students should look for when researching schools was released.

“I think this list of international student friendly universities in the US is something that is long overdue,” white paper author Marty Bennett told The PIE News.

“It’s coming at a particularly important time in the development of international education in the United States, where institutions that maybe have taken their international success for granted are now being forced to reevaluate how they do what they do.”

Bennett added that the criteria used in the evaluation are specifically geared towards international students’ needs and quality of life, rather than “alumni giving ranges” or “top SAT ranges”.

“I think it will start conversations at schools that would like to become more international and help them focus on criteria that perhaps they haven’t in the past,” he added.

Managing editor of Education at US News, Anita Narayan, said the list is a natural extension of the Best Colleges rankings that have helped students make decisions about their education for three decades.

“As international students consider their US university options, it is vital that they understand whether schools will offer them financial aid, English labs, housing and dining services during holidays, and other services,” she added.

The full list of colleges and universities determined to have successfully supported their international students during the 2016-2017 academic year can be seen here.