"Higher education is one of America's strongest export sectors. Over 1 million international students studied at American universities, (in the) 2018-19 school year. They contributed over $40 billion to the economy.”
Higher Education is America’s 10th Top Export, Injecting Over $40 Billion into the U.S. Economy [...] These international students make a substantial economic contribution, injecting over $40 billion into the U.S. economy and supporting more than 368,000 jobs. Their spending goes far beyond tuition, encompassing everything from housing rentals to food delivery services, and it’s nearing an all-time high. Higher education has become one of America’s top exports, ranking as the 10th-leading export according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. However, this "export" is, in reality, an import of international students who bring their financial resources into the U.S. economy.