According to the IIE’s Open Doors report, Texas is the third most popular spot for international students in the US, just behind California and New York, having hosted 81,893 students in 2019.

“Texas is welcoming, truly, even if it has a reputation for being quite conservative”

Numbers have slowly dropped since hitting 85,116 students in 2016, with most HEIs in the US are expecting a further fall in enrolment this autumn.

Almost a quarter of Texas’ international student population comes from India, with other top source countries being China, Mexico, Vietnam and Nepal.

“There are nearly 200 colleges and universities in Texas, so there will be something for everyone, from small, private liberal arts colleges to big, public research intensive universities,” said Jessica Guiver, chair of the Study Texas board and director of international undergraduate admissions at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

“We have some of the top universities on the planet, with world-leading research taking place.  The economy is growing in Texas, with lots of businesses and corporations opening up here.  Tech and other start-ups are everywhere and innovation is encouraged and supported.”

She also points to the appeal of the mild climate, comparatively low cost of living and mix of big cities and open countryside.

“Texas is welcoming, truly, even if it has a reputation for being quite conservative,” she added.

We are excited to launch our new Study Texas video today! Check it out https://t.co/o0SUU6Lp1C#TexasMeansFriendship #studyinTexas #intled #Texas #video #internationalstudents

— Study Texas (@StudyTexas) May 26, 2020

Universities in Texas have not yet all announced their plans for whether they will be open next year or teaching online. Rice University said they were “cautiously optimistic” about opening in autumn.

The University of Texas at Austin said “classrooms will be filled at only 40% of capacity” and remote learning options will also be available.