Department of Higher Education

The number of international students studying in Missouri increased by more than 5 percent during the 2013-2014 academic year.

The increase allowed Missouri to maintain its rank of 12th in the nation for the number of foreign students enrolled at the state's colleges and universities. Missouri ranked 16th in 2010.

A new report from the Institute of International Education shows Missouri’s international enrollment grew by nearly 1,000 students – from 17,300 students in 2012-2013, to 18,205 students. Nationwide, the number of international students increased 8 percent, a record high according to the Open Doors Report.

“We are proud that more international students are choosing Missouri as their destination for higher education,” said Karla McCollum, chair of the Study Missouri Consortium and admissions director at North Central Missouri College in Trenton. “The international student population on our campuses increases cultural awareness and helps foster a global view.”

The Study Missouri Consortium is a group of more than 40 colleges and universities that promotes the state’s diverse academic opportunities to students in other countries and study abroad opportunities for Missouri students.

“The increase in international students coming to Missouri demonstrates the quality and appeal of degree programs offered at colleges and universities throughout the state,” said David Russell, Missouri commissioner of higher education.  

Students from China made up the largest percentage of international students studying in Missouri with 34.4 percent. Other countries with large numbers of students in the state include India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Brazil.

Missouri universities enrolling the largest number of international students are: University of Missouri-Columbia, 2,576; Washington University, 2,449; Missouri State University, 1,635; University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1,415; and  the Missouri University of Science and Technology, 1,371.

The report also examined the economic impact of international education. Foreign students are estimated to have contributed approximately $509.3 million to Missouri’s economy, an increase from $452 million during the 2012-2013 academic year.

According to the report, the number of Missouri students studying abroad decreased, from 4,938 in 2012-2013 to 4,497 students in 2013-2014.

For more information about the Open Doors Report visit http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors. More information about the Study Missouri Consortium can be found at http://studymissouri.net/.