Higher Education: Challenges in Attracting International Students to the United States and Implications for Global Competitiveness Page: 2 of 18
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SGAO
aAccountabiity Integrity-Reliability
Highlights
Highlights of GAO-07-1047T, a testimony
before the Subcommittee on International
Organizations, Human Rights, and
Oversight, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
House of Representatives
Why GAO Did This Study
More international students obtain
a higher education in the United
States than in any other country,
and they make valuable
contributions while they are here.
For those students returning home
after their studies, such exchanges
support federal public diplomacy
efforts and can improve
understanding among nations.
International students have earned
about one-third or more of all U.S.
degrees at both the master's and
doctoral levels in several of the
science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics fields. Yet recent
trends, including a drop in
international student enrollment in
U.S. colleges and universities, and
policy changes after September 11,
2001, have raised concerns about
whether the United States will
continue to attract talented
international students to its
universities.
This testimony is based on ongoing
and published GAO work. It
includes themes from a September
2006 Comptroller General's forum
on current trends in international
student enrollment in the United
States and abroad. Invitees to the
forum included experts from the
Congress, federal agencies,
universities, research institutions,
higher education organizations, and
industry.
This testimony does not contain
recommendations.
www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1047T.
To view the full product, including the scope
and methodology, click on the link above.
For more information, contact George Scott at
202-512-5932 or ScottG@gao.gov.HIGHER EDUCATION
Challenges in Attracting International
Students to the United States and
Implications for Global Competitiveness
What GAO Found
GAO identified the following key issues that may affect the United
States' ability to continue attracting the world's most talented
international students to our universities and colleges:
* The global higher education landscape is changing and providing
more alternatives for students, as other countries expand their
educational capacity and technology-based distance learning
opportunities increase. For example, enrollment in college-level
distance education has nearly quadrupled since 1995. In addition,
U.S. universities are establishing branch campuses in other countries
and partnerships with international institutions, allowing
international students to receive a U.S. education without leaving
home. Greater competition has prompted some countries to offer
courses in English and to expand their recruiting activities and
incentives. Some countries also have developed strategic plans or
offices focused on attracting international students.
* The cost of obtaining a U.S. degree is among the highest in the world
and rising, which may discourage international students. Average
tuition in 2003 at public U.S. colleges and universities was second
only to Australia. Moreover, tuition and associated costs continue to
rise. While the effects of high and rising costs and related factors are
difficult to estimate, some policymakers are concerned they may be
discouraging international students from coming to the United
States.
* Visa policies and procedures, tightened after September 11 to protect
our national security, contributed to real and perceived barriers for
international students. Post-September 11 changes included a
requirement that almost all visa applicants be interviewed, affecting
the number of visas issued and extending wait times for visas under
certain circumstances. GAO has made several recommendations to
strengthen the visa process in a way that reduces barriers for
international students while balancing national security, and recent
changes have improved the process. Processing times for certain
security reviews have declined, and recent data show more student
visas issued in the last few years. The Department of State also has
taken steps to ease the burden on students, including expediting
interviews and extending the length of time that some visa
clearances are valid. We are continuing to study aspects of these
issues.
The United States must maintain an appropriate balance between
protecting national security interests and ensuring our long-term
competitiveness. Monitoring current trends and federal policies is
essential to ensuring that the United States continues to obtain talented
international students in the face of greater global competition.,United States Government Accountability Office
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United States. Government Accountability Office. Higher Education: Challenges in Attracting International Students to the United States and Implications for Global Competitiveness, text, June 29, 2007; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc292878/m1/2/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.