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Data Summary
- Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom were the most popular study abroad destinations for U.S. students in 2020-2021.[1]
- These three locations alone made up over 40% of all study abroad trips.[1]
- The number of U.S. students studying abroad decreased by 91% from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021.[1]
- Students of color were much less likely to study abroad: While Black students made up 13% of the population of students in postsecondary institutions, just 4% participated in study abroad programs in 2020-2021.[2]
- The percentage of students with disabilities who study abroad has drastically increased in the past 15 years — going from 2.6% in 2006-2007 to 11.2% in 2020-2021.[3]
- The top study abroad destinations for community college students were France and Honduras. About 40% of all community college students who studied abroad in 2020-2021 chose those locations.[4]
- The U.S. hosted around 290,090 international students from China in 2021-2022. Learners from China accounted for 31% of all international students in the U.S. that year.[1]
- In 2021-2022, New York University hosted the largest number of international students of any U.S. university. The school hosted about 21,080 students, or 2.2% of all international students in the U.S.[1]
During the 2020-2021 academic year, roughly 14,550 U.S. students studied abroad.[1] This number is a 91% decrease from the previous year when 162,600 students participated in study abroad programs and likely due to the COVID-19 shutdowns.
In this report, we cover study abroad statistics, including the rates of U.S. students studying abroad, the rates of international students coming to the U.S., and popular destinations.
Where Do College Students Study Abroad?
College Study Abroad by Region
Broken down by region, Europe was the most popular destination for U.S. study abroad students in 2020-2021, with over 66% of all study abroad participants choosing that location.[1] Asia was second, although nowhere close, with about 12% of all U.S. study abroad students choosing the region.
| Host Region | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Europe | 66.3% |
| Asia | 12.3% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 11% |
| Middle East and North Africa | 4.9% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 2.4% |
| Oceania | 0.5% |
| North America | 0.2% |
| Antarctica | 0.02% |
| Multiple Destinations | 2.3% |
Decrease in the Number of U.S. Study Abroad Students During COVID-19
The number of U.S. students studying abroad decreased by 91% from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021.[1]
Europe and Asia each experienced nearly a 90% drop in the number of U.S. study abroad students.
The number of U.S. students studying abroad in countries in Oceania, including Australia, dropped by more than 99%.
Antarctica had the least change, going from 16 U.S. students in 2019-2020 to three U.S. students in 2020-2021.
Study abroad has rebounded since the pandemic. Colleges expect even more growth in 2023-2024.
College Study Abroad by Country
Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom were the most popular study abroad destinations for U.S. students in 2019-2021. These three locations alone made up over 40% of all U.S. study abroad trips that year.[1]
France and South Korea made up another 13.7% of U.S. learners, while other destinations each had less than 5% of study abroad students.[1]
| Ranking | Country | Number of Students to U.S. in 2019-2020 | Number of Students to U.S. in 2020-2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 19,731 | 2,193 |
| 2 | Spain | 19,792 | 2,089 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 19,147 | 1,612 |
| 4 | France | 8,528 | 1,025 |
| 5 | South Korea | 1,942 | 977 |
| 6 | Denmark | 3,130 | 622 |
| 7 | Costa Rica | 3,917 | 565 |
| 8 | Israel | 1,893 | 539 |
| 9 | Greece | 1,829 | 418 |
| 10 | Germany | 4,512 | 412 |
| 11 | China | 2,481 | 382 |
Popular Study Abroad Destinations and Their Costs
If you intend to study abroad and get academic credit for it from your school, tuition costs will largely depend on your institution's cost per credit.
Costs can vary between colleges. Below are examples from several public and private universities' study abroad programs.
| City | Total Semester Cost |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | $37,819-$39,119 |
| Accra, Ghana | $39,622-$42,630 |
| Berlin, Germany | $39,537-$45,115 |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | $37,422-$39,119 |
| Florence, Italy | $42,741-$47,578 |
| London, England | $41,510-$48,682 |
| Madrid, Spain | $38,789-$42,094 |
| Paris, France | $40,838-$47,684 |
| Shanghai, China | $37,377-$40,434 |
| Tel Aviv, Israel | $41,841-$46,209 |
| City | Semester Cost for In-State Students | Semester Cost for Out-of-State Students |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid, Spain | $22,270 | $39,770 |
| Barcelona, Spain | $16,755 | $34,255 |
| London, England | $21,380 | $38,880 |
| Sydney, Australia | $23,860 | $41,360 |
| Uppsala, Sweden | $16,755 | $34,255 |
| Prague, Czech Republic | $17,565 | $35,065 |
| Dublin, Ireland | $16,755 | $34,255 |
Study Abroad Spain
According to New York University, the cost to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, comes out to be between $38,790 and $42,090 per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.[5] The following table shows the cost breakdown.
| Expense | Semester Cost |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees | $30,219 |
| Lodging | $6,600-$8,705 |
| Round-Trip Airfare | $900-$1,100 |
| School Supplies and Books | $270 |
| Personal Expenses | $800-$1,800 |
| Total | $38,789-$42,094 |
Below is the Madrid, Spain, semester study abroad cost breakdown for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The total cost comes out to be $22,270 for in-state undergraduates and $39,770 for out-of-state undergraduates due to tuition differences.[6]
| Expense | Semester Cost for In-State Students | Semester Cost for Out-of-State Students |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees | $8,500 | $26,000 |
| Lodging | $5,950 | $5,950 |
| Round-Trip Airfare | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| School Supplies and Books | $300 | $300 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Required Health Insurance | $200 | $200 |
| Meals | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Local Transportation | $310 | $310 |
| Other | $510 | $510 |
| Total | $22,270 | $39,770 |
Study Abroad Italy
The cost to study abroad in Florence, Italy, for New York University students comes out to be between $42,740 and $47,580 per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.[7]
| Expense | Semester Cost |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees | $30,219 |
| Off-Campus Lodging | $8,031-$10,075 |
| On-Campus Lodging | $8,664-$10,909 |
| Homestays | $6,972-$9,321 |
| Round-Trip Airfare | $1,100-$1,500 |
| Meals | $2,300-$2,800 |
| Local Transportation | $350 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,800 |
| Total | $42,741-$47,578 |
Below is the Tuscania, Italy, semester study abroad cost breakdown for North Carolina State University students. The total comes out to be $16,650 for spring 2024.[8]
| Expense | Semester Cost |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees | $11,150 |
| Setup Fee | $75 |
| Study Abroad Fee | $375 |
| GeoBlue International Health Insurance | $200 |
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Meals | $2,000 |
| Living Expenses | $1,200 |
| Textbooks/School Supplies | $250 |
| Visa/Residency Permit | $200 |
| Total | $16,650 |
Study Abroad United Kingdom
According to New York University, the cost to study abroad in London, England, comes out to be between $41,510-$48,680 per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.[9]
| Expense | Semester Cost |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees | $30,219 |
| Housing | $6,691-$12,263 |
| Round-Trip Airfare | $700-$1,000 |
| Meals | $2,000-$2,800 |
| Books | $400 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,500-$2,000 |
| Total | $41,510-$48,682 |
Below is the London, England, semester study abroad cost breakdown for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. It was $21,380 for in-state undergraduates and $38,880 for out-of-state undergraduates.[10]
| Expense | Semester Cost for In-State Students | Semester Cost for Out-of-State Students |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees | $8,500 | $26,000 |
| Lodging | $4,900 | $4,900 |
| Round-Trip Airfare | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| School Supplies and Books | $425 | $425 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,300 | $2,300 |
| Required Health Insurance | $200 | $200 |
| Meals | $2,025 | $2,025 |
| Local Transportation | $825 | $825 |
| Other | $605 | $605 |
| Total | $21,380 | $38,880 |
Study Abroad Japan
Japan was the most popular Asia study abroad destination in 2019-2020. Over 3,400 U.S. students studied abroad in Japan that academic year.[1] The number plummeted to 124 students in 2020-2021, likely due to the pandemic.
Compared to many European destinations, especially France and the United Kingdom, Japan is much more affordable.
Participants in Columbia University's study abroad program in Kyoto, Japan, for example, can expect to pay an out-of-pocket amount of up to $6,400, excluding tuition.[11] This amount would not even cover the cost of housing in Paris, London, or Madrid.
| Expense | Semester Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $33,632 |
| Meals | $500-$2,000 |
| Housing | $0 |
| Local Transportation | $300 |
| Visa | $0 |
| Books and Course Materials | $100 |
| Cell Phone | $200 |
| Airfare | $1,800 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,000 |
| Total | $38,532-$40,032 |
| Expense | Semester Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $17,411 |
| Housing | $2,084 |
| ISEP Application Fee | $100 |
| Total | $19,595 |
Percentage of U.S. Students Who Study Abroad by Race/Ethnicity
Students of color were much less likely to study abroad in 2020-2021. For example, while Black students made up 13% of the student population at postsecondary institutions that year, just 4% participated in study abroad programs.[2]
In contrast, 54% of all enrolled students were white in 2020-2021, but nearly 70% studied abroad.[2] Asian/Pacific Islander students were the only other demographic whose study abroad rates exceeded enrollment rates (10% vs. 7.7%).
Percentage of U.S. Students With Disabilities Who Study Abroad
The percentage of students with disabilities who study abroad has drastically increased in the past 15 years — going from 2.6% in 2006-2007 to 11.2% in 2020-2021.[3]
Disabilities included autism spectrum disorder, chronic health disorder, learning disabilities, mental disabilities, physical disabilities, and sensory disabilities.[3]
The vast majority (90%) of U.S. students with disabilities who studied abroad in 2020-2021 had chronic health disorders and/or learning and mental disabilities.[3]
Popular Destinations for Students in Community Colleges
Did you know that some community colleges offer study abroad programs as well? U.S. students who were enrolled in community colleges had different leading study abroad destinations than students at four-year colleges and universities, although France remained a top choice for learners at both institution types.
Study abroad options can depend on a range of factors including which institutions your school has partnerships with and the financial background of students.
| Country | Percentage of Total Study Abroad Students |
|---|---|
| France | 20% |
| Honduras | 20% |
| Brazil | 10% |
| Costa Rica | 10% |
| Germany | 10% |
| Greece | 10% |
| Thailand | 10% |
| United Kingdom | 10% |
References
2022 Fast Facts. U.S. Study Abroad Annual Release. OpenDoors. IIE. Accessed June 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Percent of U.S. Study Abroad students by Race/Ethnicity. Trends in U.S. Study Abroad. NAFSA. 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Students With Disability. 2022 Open Doors Report. U.S. Study Abroad. Accessed July 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Leading Destinations. U.S. Students Studying Abroad at Associate's Colleges' Data. 2022 Open Doors Report. U.S. Study Abroad. Accessed July 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Costs and Financial Aid. NYU Madrid. New York University. Accessed June 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Information: Exchange Semester at IE University in Madrid, Spain. Program Costs & Fees. University of Michigan. Accessed August 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Costs and Financial Aid. NYU Florence. New York University. Accessed July 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Lorenzo de'Medici Institute (Affiliate). Costs/Scholarships. Pack Abroad Portal. North Carolina State University. Accessed August 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Costs and Financial Aid. NYU London. New York University. Accessed June 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Information: Exchange Semester at Queen Mary University in London, England. Program Costs & Fees. University of Michigan. Accessed August 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Fall 2023 Costs for KCJS: Columbia Students. The Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement. Columbia University. 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees. Effective Average Cost of Attendance. 2023-2023. Columbia University School of General Studies. Accessed August 2023. (back to content ⤶)
Kansai Gaidai University. Study in Japan (in English) – ISEP Direct. ISEP. Accessed August 2023. (back to content ⤶)
