The US States with the Fastest-Growing International Student Populations in 2024/25
Last month, we dug into which student populations are driving US enrolment at the undergrad and graduate level in 2024/25. But knowing who is enrolling only tells half the story, where they're choosing to go is just as interesting.
Here's the thing: international students are no longer defaulting to the usual suspects. As the regulatory landscape keeps shifting, more students are widening their search and discovering corners of the US they might not have considered before. Some of the results might surprise you.
We went back into the IIE's Open Doors data to find out which US states saw the fastest-growing international student populations this academic year. This data covers all enrolled students, including those on OPT, and while it predates the most recent F-1 visa numbers, the multi-year view gives institutions some really useful context on how things have been trending at the state level.
Let's get into it.
5. Arizona - up 13% year-over-year
Arizona hosted over 31,000 international students in 2024/25, a solid rebound after a dip in 2023/24. The growth isn't happening in a vacuum either. The state has been actively building toward a stronger skilled workforce, with a particular focus on high-tech manufacturing and microelectronics.
University-industry partnerships are creating real, visible pathways from the classroom into advanced careers, exactly the kind of thing that gets prospective students' attention.
All told, those 31,000+ students contributed over US$1 billion to the state's economy.
4. Maine - up 15% year-over-year
Maine might not be the first place that comes to mind for international recruitment, but it's making a strong case for itself. The state hosted over 2,300 international students in 2024/25, contributing more than US$87 million to the local economy.
What's working here is alignment, regional universities and state economic initiatives are doing a good job of connecting students to high-demand STEM and environmental careers. When your programs actually match what the regional economy needs, students notice.
3. New Jersey - up 15% year-over-year
New Jersey had its best international enrollment year in at least a decade, hosting nearly 27,000 students and contributing over US$950 million to the local economy.
The state has been deliberately building cross-sector partnerships, industry, academia, and government working together rather than in silos. The New Jersey Health + Life Sciences Exchange (HELIX) is a good example of that intent in action.
When a state is investing in that kind of ecosystem, it signals opportunity, and students are picking up on that signal.
2. Delaware - up 19% year-over-year
Small state, big momentum. Delaware's 4,800 international students represented a 19% jump over the previous year and the state's fourth consecutive year of growth, even if it's still climbing back toward its 2017/18 peak.
Students contributed nearly US$109 million to Delaware's economy.
What makes Delaware interesting is its focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, and a pretty explicit commitment to helping employers find and develop the right talent. For international students thinking about where they'll actually land a job after graduation, that clarity matters.
1. South Dakota - up 23% year-over-year
What makes Delaware interesting is its focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, and a pretty explicit commitment to helping employers find and develop the right talent. For international students thinking about where they'll actually land a job after graduation, that clarity matters.
The top spot goes to a state that might genuinely surprise you. South Dakota grew its international student population by 23% in 2024/25, hosting nearly 2,900 students who contributed over US$67 million to the local economy. The volume is smaller than some states on this list, but the growth rate is the fastest in the country.
What South Dakota is doing well is connecting the dots, loudly and clearly. Programs like the Workforce Development Fund tie industry and education together in concrete ways, and the Board of Regents has made STEM workforce development a stated strategic priority. When a destination can clearly articulate what happens after you graduate, international students pay attention. South Dakota is making that case effectively.
What this means for your institution
Student interest is shifting across markets, across states, and faster than traditional recruitment cycles can keep up with. The institutions that win in that environment are the ones that can respond quickly, from the first question to the final decision.
That's exactly what Capio Engage is built for, connecting with prospective students in real time, earlier in their journey, and supporting stronger conversion along the way. And once they're in the funnel, Capio Admit helps admissions teams move faster and more consistently through application processing and decision-making.
When demand moves, you want to be ready. We can help with that.
Key Takeaways
The five fastest-growing US states for international students in 2024/25 were South Dakota, Delaware, New Jersey, Maine, and Arizona.
Despite being very different in size and profile, all five share a common thread: they're doing a good job of connecting education to industry to career outcomes.
For institutions, that's the playbook worth watching.
