Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Executive Summary
Background
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is part of U.S. Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEVP
manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the web-based
system that DHS uses to maintain and manage information on nonimmigrant students
whose primary purpose for coming to the United States is to study.
A nonimmigrant is any foreign national who temporarily visits the United States to fulfill a
specific purpose (e.g., tourism, business, study). SEVP acts as a bridge for organizations and
individuals with an interest in information about nonimmigrant students in the following
categories:
• F-1 STUDENTS – Nonimmigrant students whose primary purpose is to complete an
academic course of study at an SEVP-certified school or program.
• M-1 STUDENTS – Nonimmigrant students whose primary purpose is to complete a
vocational course of study at an SEVP-certified school or program.
• J-1 EXCHANGE VISITORS – Nonimmigrant students selected to participate in a U.S.
Department of State-designated exchange visitor program.
SEVP certifies U.S. schools to enroll nonimmigrant students and ensures their compliance
with administrative regulations. The U.S. Department of State manages the J-1 Visa
Exchange Visitor Program, under which there are a variety of exchange visitor categories.
Both SEVP and the Department of State use SEVIS to maintain critical information that
allows DHS to protect national security, while supporting the legal entry of nonimmigrant
students, also termed international students and exchange visitors.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
SEVIS by the Numbers
SEVIS by the Numbers is an annual report that highlights key SEVIS data. The data
illustrates trends, values and information specifically on F and M international students
studying in the United States. The report includes the following sections:
- STUDENTS – Data on international students who come to the United States to study.
- SCHOOLS – Data on SEVP-certified schools that enroll international students in the
United States.
- STATES AND TERRITORIES – Data about international student demographics within
individual U.S. states and territories.
This SEVIS by the Numbers report uses SEVIS data from calendar year 2023 and compares
it to data from calendar year 2022. This report can also be compared to calendar year data
in the SEVP Data Library on HSI.gov as well as the 2022 SEVIS by the Numbers report.
PLEASE NOTE: An international student or exchange visitor is deemed active once they
enter the United States and engage in their program of study or exchange visitor program.
Trends
International student enrollment in the United States in 2023 showed a substantial
increase from calendar year 2022. The total number of SEVIS records for active F-1 and M-
1 students was 1,503,649 in calendar year 2023, an increase of 10.4 percent from calendar
year 2022 and the largest number of records since calendar year 2019.
- All four regions in the United States saw an increase in international student records
from 2022 to 2023, with respective increases ranging from 5.7 to 13.4 percent.
- In calendar year 2023, 7,417 SEVP-certified schools were eligible to enroll
international students, a decrease of 266 schools from 2022 (7,683 schools)
1
.
- The number of international students enrolled at kindergarten through grade 12 (K-
12) schools increased 1.9 percent from 2022 to 2023 (+1,041).
- No K-12 schools hosted more than 700 international students in calendar year 2023,
similar to calendar year 2022.
- The number of students from India and China made Asia the most popular continent
of origin. India sent 27.1 percent more students compared to 2022 (+80,469).
Reversing the trend from 2021 and 2022, China sent 1.9 percent more students in
2023 (+6,169).
- There were 160,627 pre- and post-completion optional practical training (OPT)
students with both an employment authorization document (EAD) and who
reported working for an employer in calendar year 2023, compared to 117,301 in
calendar year 2022 —a 36.9 percent increase.
1
The number of SEVP-certified schools can be impacted by schools whose certification has been withdrawn
or by schools who chose to merge petitions during the calendar year.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
- In 2023, California hosted 237,594 international students, the largest percentage of
international students (15.8%) of any U.S. state.
- There was a total of 122,101 international students participating in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT in 2023. Most students
participating in STEM OPT were from India (39.1%) or China (23.7%).
The figure above illustrates the percent changes of international student records by U.S.
region from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023. Groupings are based on the U.S.
Census regions.
PLEASE NOTE: Continent information within this report was compiled using the United
Nations’ composition of macrogeographical (continental) regions, geographical subregions,
and selected economic and other groupings.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Overview
Between the calendar year 2022 and calendar year 2023 reporting period, the total
number of F-1 and M-1 international student records increased by 141,492 (+10.4%). In
calendar year 2023, international students in the United States hailed from 238 countries
and pursued 1,479 different primary majors.
2
International students engaged in studies
across a variety of education levels, from primary schools to flight training schools to
higher education.
International Students in Higher Education
Most F-1 and M-1 students come to the United States to take part in the higher education
system. In 2023, roughly 90 percent of all F-1 and M-1 students were enrolled in an SEVP-
certified associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program. Specifically, international
students in the United States pursued 1,352,844 degrees in higher education, which is an
increase from calendar year 2022 (+126,613). It is important to note that one student
might partake in more than one level of education in a given calendar year, so they may be
counted in multiple educational levels.
Associate Degrees
There were 79,648 F-1 students who sought an associate degree in calendar year 2023,
which accounted for nearly six percent of higher education degrees pursued by the
international student population. This represents an 11.5 percent increase from calendar
year 2022, in which 71,445 F-1 students sought an associate degree and accounted for
nearly six percent of degrees sought by the international student population. The number
of students enrolled in associate degree programs increased by nearly 12 percent (8,203)
between calendar year 2022 and 2023.
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees
There were 1,066,763 F-1 students who sought either a bachelor's (457,906) or master's
(608,857) degree in calendar year 2023, which accounted for 79 percent of higher
education degrees sought by the international student population. These two levels of
education were the most popular among international students in the United States. The
percentage of students pursuing bachelor’s degrees increased by 1.7 percent (7,498) and
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A primary major is the foremost major listed on an international student’s SEVIS record and corresponds to
most of their coursework while studying in the United States.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
the percentage of students pursuing master’s degrees increased by 20 percent (101,662)
between calendar years 2022 and 2023.
Doctoral Degrees
There were 206,433 F-1 students who sought a doctoral degree in calendar year 2023,
which accounted for 15.3 percent of higher education degrees sought by the international
student population. In comparison, 197,183 F-1 students sought a doctoral degree in
calendar year 2022 and accounted for 16.1 percent of degrees sought by the international
student population. The number of students enrolled in doctoral programs increased 4.7
percent (9,250) between calendar year 2022 and calendar year 2023.
International Students by Degree Type
5.9% (79,648) Associate
33.8% (457,906) Bachelor’s
45% (608,857) Master’s
15.3% (206,433) Doctoral
Above are the percentage breakdowns by degree type of the total number of international
student records enrolled in the U.S. higher education system in calendar year 2023.
Primary Majors
International students can pursue more than one major during their program of study in
the United States. This section focuses on students’ primary majors, which are the foremost
majors listed on their SEVIS record and correspond to most of their coursework in the
United States.
The top 20 most popular higher education majors for international students in calendar
year 2023 were:
Primary Major
2023 Active Student Count
Computer Science
108,438
Second Language Learning**
99,721
Business Administration and Management,
General
86,235
Computer and Information Sciences,
General
78,408
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
37,322
Management Science 35,270
Mechanical Engineering 30,319
Information Technology
28,881
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
27,899
Management Sciences and Quantitative
Methods, Other
27,249
General Studies
27,185
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
26,607
Information Science/Studies
24,768
Regular/General High School/Secondary
Diploma Program
22,930
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
19,797
Civil Engineering, General
18,135
Computer Engineering, General
17,417
High School/Secondary Diploma Programs,
Other
16,703
Chemistry, General
15,984
Mathematics, General
15,493
**“Second Language Learning” indicates a major in a language other than English, such as
(but not limited to) Spanish language and/or literature, Japanese language and/or literature,
etc.
Fifty-one percent (763,443) of international students studied at least one of the top 20
majors listed above.
Please visit the SEVP Data Library for additional data on international students and
schools.
International Students at K-12 Schools
There were 54,558 international student records for K-12 education during calendar year
2023. China sent 26.3 percent of all K-12 students in 2023, followed by Republic of Korea
(South Korea), Mexico, Spain, and Vietnam.
26.3% (14,329): China
7.4% (4,059): Republic of Korea (South Korea)
6.8% (3,732): Mexico
5.9% (3,195): Spain
5.8% (3,187): Vietnam
Above are the top five countries of citizenship with the largest number of international K-
12 students in the United States in calendar year 2023.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Optional Practical Training and Curricular Practical Training
International students can participate in various types of practical training related to their
field of study while they are in the United States.
- Pre-completion OPT takes place prior to a student’s program end date and can last
up to 12 months.
- Post-completion OPT takes place after a student’s program end date and can also
last up to 12 months.
- STEM OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT for qualifying students with degrees in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) takes place prior to a student’s program end
date and is integral to the school’s established curriculum.
PLEASE NOTE: To participate in any form of OPT, an international student must receive an
EAD from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The total number of international students working at any point during a calendar year
may exceed the number of employment authorizations issued each year because STEM OPT
extensions are two-year authorizations and OPT authorizations are granted on a rolling
basis throughout the year. Reporting the number of authorizations issued allows for
precise reporting on how many individuals pursued work authorization under the program
in a given year. More information on total annual employment authorizations is available in
the SEVP Data Library.
International Students from Around the World
Other than Antarctica, F-1 and M-1 students come from every continent in the world, and
from more than 238 countries and territories. Asia had the largest number of active
international student records (1,070,875), accounting for 71.2 percent of the international
student population.
The figure below illustrates the overall increase or decline rate of international student
records from each continent from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
The top 10 countries of citizenship with the largest number of international student
records in the United States in calendar year 2023 were:
Country of Citizenship
Active Student Count
India
377,620
China
330,365
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
63,314
Canada
43,873
Brazil
41,703
Vietnam
31,310
Japan
28,408
Taiwan
28,218
Nigeria
26,431
Mexico
23,756
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Africa
The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records coming from Africa increased by
12,694 student records from calendar year 2022 (77,246) to calendar year 2023 (89,925).
Nigeria (26,431) was the West African country that sent the most students in 2023.
Additionally, Kenya (6,535) was the East African country that sent the most students in
2023. Lastly, Libya (-65) saw the steepest decrease in student records across the continent.
Country Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
Sierra Leone
+51.4%
+184
542
Ghana
+48.2%
+3,635
11,172
South Sudan
+47.1%
+73
228
Above are the African countries that sent at least 50 international students to the United
States and saw the greatest fluctuation in enrollments from calendar year 2022 to calendar
year 2023.
Asia
Forty-seven percent (707,985) of all active SEVIS records hailed from either India
(377,620) or China (330,365) in calendar year 2023, one percentage point higher than
calendar year 2022. The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records coming from
Asia increased by 111,826 from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023, with student
record trends varying across different countries.
The number of international student records from India and China made Asia the most
popular continent of origin. India sent 80,469 more students, while China sent 6,169 more
students.
Seventy-one percent of all international students in the United States call Asia home.
Other Asian countries that sent fewer students this year compared to last include Saudi
Arabia (-1,896), Kuwait (-579), Oman (-327) and Malaysia (-197).
Country Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
+177.8%
+64
100
+59.5%
+308
826
+58.1%
+695
1,892
Above are the Asian countries that sent at least 50 international students to the United
States and saw the greatest fluctuation in enrollments in the reporting period calendar year
2022 to calendar year 2023.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Australia and Pacific Islands
The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records from Australia and Pacific Island
nations increased by 946 from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023. In calendar year
2023, there were 9,323 active student records from this region, which is an 11.3 percent
increase from calendar year 2022 (8,377). Ninety-five percent of enrollments from this
continent hail from the region’s largest countries: Australia (6,623) and New Zealand
(2,251).
Country Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
+45.8%
+33
105
+26.7%
+40
190
+10.6%
+633
6,623
Above are the Australian and Pacific Island countries that sent at least 50 international
students to the United States and saw the greatest fluctuation in enrollments in the
reporting period calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
Europe
The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records coming from Europe increased
by 2,195 from calendar year 2022 (128,657) to calendar year 2023 (130,852). Student
enrollment from the United Kingdom (+707), Russia (+677), Spain (+654), France (+183),
and Poland (+157) all increased in calendar year 2023.
Country Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
+9.5%
+148
266
+9.3%
+150
294
+9%
+133
327
+8.9%
+4,577
8,302
+8.4%
+1,007
1,805
Above are the European countries that sent at least 50 international students to the United
States and saw the greatest fluctuation in enrollments in the reporting period calendar year
2022 to calendar year 2023.
North America
The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records coming from North America
increased by 2,467 from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023, resulting in 44,345
students studying in the United States in 2023. The increase in the number of student
records from Canada (+2,481) exclusively accounted for this increase.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Country Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
+6%
+2,481
43,873
-3.3%
-16
468
Above are the North American countries that sent at least 50 international students to the
United States and saw the greatest fluctuation in enrollments in the reporting period
calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
Central and South America
The number of students coming into the United States from Central and South America
increased by 18,594 from calendar year 2022 (128,168) to calendar year 2023 (158,267).
Student enrollment from Brazil (41,703), Mexico (23,756), and Colombia (23,596) was
highest in calendar year 2023.
Country Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
+23%
+17
91
+15.9%
+36
263
+14.5%
+1,096
8,656
Above are the South American countries that sent at least 50 international students to the
United States and saw the greatest fluctuation in enrollments in the reporting period
calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
Visit the SEVP Data Library for a full list of 2023 All Countries of Citizenship by Total
Number of Active Students.
International Student Gender
3
Trends
As with last year, 44.5 percent (668,771) of F-1 and M-1 international students in calendar
year 2023 were female, while 55.5 percent (834,111) were male. Of K-12 student
enrollments in 2023, 43.6 percent were female (26,088). In addition, 44 percent (670,769)
of bachelor’s and master’s international students were female, 49.9 percent (39,755) of
international students seeking associate degrees were female and 41.3 percent (85,169) of
international students seeking doctoral degrees were female in 2023. Of the top 10
3
An international student’s gender in SEVIS is the gender listed on the student’s passport from their country
of citizenship or other equivalent document (such as government-issued travel documents or birth
certificates). SEVIS gender options currently include Female, Male or Other. DSOs only select the “Other”
option if the student’s or dependent’s passport contains no information or contains another option (such as
nonbinary).
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
countries of citizenship in calendar year 2023, the average female enrollment was 48.6
percent (444,139) and the average male enrollment was 51.4 percent (550,330).
Below are the percentage of female and male students for the top 10 countries of
citizenship in calendar year 2023.
Country of Citizenship Female Male
2023 Total Active
Student Count
India
38%
62%
377,620
China
48%
52%
330,365
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
48%
52%
63,314
Canada
49%
51%
43,873
Brazil
56%
44%
41,703
Vietnam
53%
47%
31,310
Japan
52%
48%
28,408
Taiwan
48%
52%
28,218
Nigeria
45%
55%
26,431
Mexico
48%
52%
23,756
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Overview
F-1 and M-1 students must attend schools that are SEVP-certified. U.S. schools can petition
for SEVP certification to enroll F-1 students, M-1 students or both F-1 and M-1 students. In
calendar year 2023, there were 7,417 SEVP-certified schools in the United States, 266
fewer schools than in calendar year 2022.
4
In 2023, 86 percent (6,370) of SEVP-certified
schools could enroll only F-1 students; seven percent (501) could enroll only M-1 students;
and seven percent (546) could enroll both F-1 and M-1 students.
Please visit the SEVP Data Library for additional data on international students and
schools.
Enrollment at SEVP-certified Schools
There were 7,417 total SEVP-certified schools in calendar year 2023. Of the 6,268 SEVP-
certified schools that enrolled students in 2023, 64 percent hosted one to 50 international
students. Twenty percent of schools that enrolled international students hosted 101 to
1,000 international students, 11 percent of schools that enrolled international students
hosted 51 to 100 students and four percent of schools hosted 1,001 to 5,000 students. Less
than one percent of schools that enrolled international students in 2023 hosted 5,001 or
more international students.
There were seven schools that enrolled more than 15,000 international students in 2023;
New York University, Northeastern University, Columbia University in the City of New
York, University of Southern California, Arizona State University, University of Illinois, and
Boston University.
2023 Active Student Enrollment
Count of Approved Schools in
2023
1 to 50 Students
4,027
51 to 100 Students
697
101 to 1,000 Students
1,236
1,001 to 5,000 Students
240
5,001 to 10,000 Students
48
10,001 to 15,000 Students
13
4
The number of SEVP-certified schools can be impacted by schools whose certification has been withdrawn
or by schools who chose to merge petitions during the calendar year.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
> 15,000 Students
7
Total Number of SEVP-Certified Schools
that Enrolled at Least One International
Student in 2023
6,268
Above is the breakdown of the number of SEVP-certified schools with at least one
international student by active student enrollment. There are an additional 1,149 schools
that have been certified to accept international students but did not enroll any international
students in 2023.
F-1 Schools
F-1 schools are SEVP-certified schools that enroll international students with F-1 visas. F-1
students are in an academic program, often with a core academic curriculum, and can
remain in the United States for the duration of their program of study. F-1 students can
change their major or program of study, and they can transfer at any time during their
program or begin a new program after completing one.
The top 20 most popular F-1 schools hosted 20 percent (292,619) of the entire
international student population.
School Name
2023 Active Student Count
New York University
24,921
Northeastern University
23,711
Columbia University in the City of New
York
22,982
University of Southern California
19,985
Arizona State University
17,953
University of Illinois
16,418
Boston University
15,930
University of North Texas
13,082
Purdue University
13,033
University of Michigan
12,952
University of California San Diego
12,249
University of California at Berkeley
12,109
University of Washington
11,774
University of Pennsylvania
11,563
University of California, Los Angeles
11,112
The University of Texas at Dallas
10,929
Carnegie Mellon University
10,796
The Pennsylvania State University
10,630
Cornell University
10,249
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
University of Wisconsin-Madison
10,240
Above are the top 20 SEVP-certified schools with the greatest number of F-1 students in
calendar year 2023.
M-1 Schools
M-1 schools are SEVP-certified schools that enroll international students with M-1 visas. M-
1 students are in a vocational program, typically without a core academic curriculum, and
can only remain in the United States for up to one year unless they apply for an extension.
M-1 students cannot change their major or program of study, and they can only transfer in
the first six months after arrival in the United States.
There were 501 schools certified to enroll only M-1 students in 2023. 86 M-1 schools only
enrolled one international student during the reporting period.
School Name
2023 Active Student Count
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Phoenix Inc
690
Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry
601
Treasure Coast Flight Training
566
Bethel Church – Civic Center
404
Airborne Systems, Inc.
318
Delta Aeronautics, Inc. d/b/a Delta-
Qualiflight Aviation
261
Paris Air, Inc.
250
Aircraft Development Flight Airways Corp
d/b/a ADF Airways
244
American Flight Training LLC DBA
Wayman Aviation Academy
228
International Aero Academy, Ltd
217
Pilot Training Center
206
Bird Acquisition LLC dba Transpac
Aviation Academy, AeroG
201
Skymates Inc.
193
Airbus Americas Customer Services Inc.
182
Ari Ben Aviator, Inc.Dba Aviator College
180
Broadway Dance Center
174
Epic Aviation, Inc
172
L3harris Aerosim Academy, Inc. D/B/A
L3harris
158
Westwind School of Aero. Phx LLC dba
United Aviate Acad
156
Charis Bible College
155
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Above are the top 20 SEVP-certified schools that had the greatest number of M-1 students
in calendar year 2023. Visit the SEVP Data Library to view the full list of 2023 All M-1
Schools by Number of Active SEVIS Records.
F-1 and M-1 Schools
Seven percent of SEVP-certified schools enrolled both F-1 and M-1 students. These schools
tend to have smaller student populations than their F-1-only counterparts.
School Name Campus Name
2023 Active Student
Count
Cornell University
Cornell University
10,250
Houston Community
College System
System Administration
Office
3,737
Dallas College
Dallas College
2,824
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College
2,776
UCLA-Extension
UCLA-Extension
2,466
Lamar University
Lamar University
2,186
Minnesota State University,
Mankato
Minnesota State University,
Mankato
2,056
Florida Institute of
Technology
Florida Institute of
Technology
2,025
The University of Iowa
The University of Iowa
1,944
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University
Daytona Beach Campus
1,535
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University-
Jonesboro
1,313
Bellevue College
Bellevue College
1,289
Green River College
Green River College
1,217
Long Island University
LIU Brooklyn
1,181
Seattle Colleges
Seattle Central College
1,098
University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
954
Diablo Valley College
Diablo Valley College
857
New York Institute of
English and Business
New York Inst. of English
and Business
849
Cornell University
Cornell Tech
841
Florida National University
Hialeah
838
Above are the top 20 SEVP-certified schools with the greatest number of both F-1 and M-1
students in calendar year 2023.
K-12 Schools
K-12 schools are SEVP-certified schools that enroll international students with F-1 visas in
the grade years from kindergarten through grade 12. Students can attend private
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
elementary schools, private middle schools, private high schools (grades 9-12) or public
high schools (grades 9-12). SEVP regulations place no limit on the length of time an F-1
student may attend a private SEVP-certified school; however, F-1 students can only attend
public schools in grades 9-12 schools and can only do so for up to one year.
School Name
2023 Active Student Count
EF International Academy
554
Layton Christian Academy
553
CATS Academy Boston
494
Fairmont Private Schools
493
IMG Academy
476
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre
436
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
417
Montverde Academy
384
North Broward Preparatory School
351
Commonwealth Academy
341
Gateway Legacy Christian Academy
307
Hoosac School
300
Thornton Academy
279
The Village School
278
Windermere Preparatory School
263
Keio Academy of New York
251
Fryeburg Academy
246
Cushing Academy
241
Life Preparatory Academy
238
El Camino Real Charter High School
236
Above are the top 20 SEVP-certified K-12 schools that had the greatest number of F-1
students in calendar year 2023. Visit the SEVP Data Library to view the full list of 2023 Top
200 Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) Public and Private Schools by Number of Active
SEVIS Records.
Location of SEVP-certified Schools
Although there are SEVP-certified higher education and vocational schools throughout the
United States and its territories with active students, 54 percent (3,388) of these schools
are in 10 U.S. states. California alone is home to 13.2 percent (830) of all SEVP-certified
schools with active students.
State
SEVP-Certified School Count
California
830
New York
488
Florida
437
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Texas
382
Pennsylvania
269
Massachusetts
247
Illinois
203
Georgia
192
North Carolina
172
Michigan
168
Above are the 10 U.S. states that had the greatest number of SEVP-certified schools and
programs with active students. For a comprehensive list of all the SEVP-certified schools in
the United States, please visit the School Search tool on Study in the States.
Please visit the SEVP Data Library for additional data on SEVP-certified schools.
States and Territories
Overview
F-1 and M-1 students study across the United States and its territories.
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As in calendar year
2022, California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas and Florida hosted the largest number of
student records and together welcomed 48 percent (722,129) of all international students.
International Students Across the United States
Of the four major regions within the continental United States, the Northeast had the
greatest number of student records in calendar year 2023, followed closely by the South,
the West and the Midwest. All four regions saw a net increase in their respective F-1 and M-
1 student populations from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
The South saw the greatest percentage increase and welcomed 13.4 percent more student
records (+51,232) than in calendar year 2022. The Midwest also welcomed 13.2 percent
more student records (+34,610) than in calendar year 2022, followed by an increase of
10.5 percent (+42,627) in the Northeast. The West welcomed 5.7 percent (+20,217) more
student records than in calendar year 2022. Non-continental U.S. territories also had a 5.1
percent increase student records (+73) in calendar year 2023 compared to calendar year
2022.
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Please note: In state data, international students may be counted more than once if they attend a new school
in a different state throughout the calendar year.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
PLEASE NOTE: Groupings are based on the U.S. Census regions.
Above are the U.S. states that hosted the largest number of F-1 and M-1 student records in
calendar year 2023, with the percentage of F-1 and M-1 student records associated with
each state.
29.8% (447,764) in the Northeast
28.9% (434,328) in the South
24.8% (373,288) in the West
19.7% (296,466) in the Midwest
0.1% (1,495) non-continental U.S. territories
Above is the percentage of students studying in each U.S. region in calendar year 2023.
International Students in the Northeast
In calendar year 2023, nine Northeastern states hosted 447,764 F-1 and M-1 student
records. New York had 169,903 international student records in 2023, the largest number
of international student records in the region. New York also experienced the largest
increase in student enrollment (+13,243), while New Jersey saw the largest percentage
change in the region (+23.15%).
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
Below are the three Northeastern states that saw the greatest percentage change in
enrollments in the reporting period calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
State Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
New Jersey
+23.2%
+12,415
66,033
Connecticut
+16.5%
+3,657
25,767
New Hampshire
+12.9%
+711
6,213
International Students in the South
Sixteen Southern U.S. states and the District of Columbia hosted 434,328 international
student records in calendar year 2023. The state in the region with the largest increase in
student records in 2023 was Texas, which hosted 121,403 student records in 2023
(+18,977). West Virginia, by comparison, was the only state in the region to observe a
decline in student records (-61). West Virginia hosted 3,335 student records.
Below are the three Southern states that saw the greatest percentage change in
enrollments in the reporting period calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
State
Percent Change
Absolute Change
+18.5%
+18,977
+18.1%
+766
+13.8%
+1,847
International Students in the Midwest
The Midwest saw a 13.2 percent increase in the number of international student records
from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023. Illinois hosted 79,579 student records in
2023 and saw the greatest increase in student records (+11,908), followed by Missouri
(+5,907).
Below are the three Midwestern states that saw the greatest percentage change in
enrollments in the reporting period calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
State Percent Change Absolute Change
+24.9%
+5,907
+17.6%
+11,908
+13.3%
+1,794
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Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
2023 SEVIS by the Numbers Report
International Students in the West
The West saw the smallest percent increase in the number of international student records
in calendar year 2023. California remains the most popular state for international students,
hosting 237,594 student records in calendar year 2023, which was an increase of 12,421
from calendar year 2022. While Hawaii saw the largest proportional increase in 2022, the
state saw a decline in 2023 (-6.2%), along with Oregon (-3.8%) and Idaho (-0.4%).
Below are the three Western states that saw the greatest percentage change in enrollments
in the reporting period calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
State Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
Arizona
+12.4%
+3,163
28,646
New Mexico
+11.7%
+424
4,060
Nevada
+10.6%
+354
3,706
International Students Studying in Non-Continental U.S. Territories
The non-continental United States territories hosted 1,495 student records during calendar
year 2023, and 60.3 percent of those records were from international students in Puerto
Rico. The Northern Mariana Islands (-6) and the Virgin Islands (-5) experienced declines in
F-1 and M-1 participation from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023. Puerto Rico
(+68) and Guam (+14) experienced the largest increase in student records. In calendar year
2023, Puerto Rico hosted 901 student records and Guam hosted 170 student records.
Below are the two non-continental regions that saw the greatest percentage change in
enrollments in the reporting period calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023.
State Percent Change Absolute Change
Calendar Year 2023
Total Population
Guam
+8.9%
+14
170
Puerto Rico
+8.2%
+68
901
Please visit the SEVP Data Library for additional data on international students and
schools.
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