	Background

The United States has historically sought to attract international students  to its colleges and universities. In recent years international students have  earned about one-third or more of all of the U.S. degrees at both the  master’s and doctoral levels in several of the science, technology,  engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Several federal agencies coordinate efforts to attract and bring  international students to the United States and implement related  requirements. Although the United States continues to enroll more international students  than any other country, the number of international students enrolled in  U.S. higher education institutions leveled off and even dropped slightly  after 2001, as shown in figure 1. The Global Higher Education Landscape Is Providing More Options for Students

As worldwide demand for higher education continues to rise, changes in  the global higher education landscape have provided students with more  options. International branch  campuses now provide international students the opportunity to receive  an American education without leaving their home country. Greater competition has prompted some countries to embrace instruction  in English and encouraged other systems to expand their recruiting  activities and incentives. In addition, some countries have also developed strategic plans or offices  that address efforts to attract international students. Rising Cost of U.S. Higher Education May Discourage Some International Students from Coming

As the cost of attending college in the United States rises, international  students may be discouraged from coming here to study. Higher education  in the United States ranks among the most expensive in the world. Moreover, student costs at U.S. colleges and universities continue to rise. The effects of high and rising tuition and other factors  on international enrollment patterns are difficult to estimate, but some  policymakers are concerned that costs may be discouraging some  international students from coming to U.S. higher education institutions. Almost all visa applicants must now be interviewed by a  consular adjudicating officer at a U.S. embassy or post; this requirement  has both affected the number of visas issued and extended wait times for  visas under certain circumstances. We have reviewed aspects of the visa  process and have made many recommendations to strengthen the process  in a way that reduces barriers for international students while balancing  national security interests. Recent visa data show an  increase in the number of student visas issued in the last few years. State has expedited interviews for  students. In addition, the length of time that some visa clearances are valid  has been extended. Concluding Observations

The United States must maintain an appropriate balance between  protecting national security interests and ensuring our long-term  competitiveness. Changes designed to protect national security in  the wake of September 11 may have contributed to real and perceived  barriers for international students, and the subsequent decline in  international enrollments raises concerns about the long-term  competitiveness of U.S. colleges and universities. While federal efforts to reduce barriers  for international students have helped, monitoring current trends and  federal policies is essential to ensuring that the United States continues to  obtain talented international students in the face of greater global  competition.
Why GAO Did This Study

More international students obtain a higher education in the United States than in any other country, and they make valuable contributions while they are here. For those students returning home after their studies, such exchanges support federal public diplomacy efforts and can improve understanding among nations. International students have earned about one-third or more of all U.S. degrees at both the master's and doctoral levels in several of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Yet recent trends, including a drop in international student enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities, and policy changes after September 11, 2001, have raised concerns about whether the United States will continue to attract talented international students to its universities. This testimony is based on ongoing and published GAO work. It includes themes from a September 2006 Comptroller General's forum on current trends in international student enrollment in the United States and abroad. Invitees to the forum included experts from the Congress, federal agencies, universities, research institutions, higher education organizations, and industry.

What GAO Found

GAO identified key issues that may affect the United States' ability to continue attracting the world's most talented international students to our universities and colleges. First, the global higher education landscape is changing and providing more alternatives for students, as other countries expand their educational capacity and technology-based distance learning opportunities increase. For example, enrollment in college-level distance education has nearly quadrupled since 1995. In addition, U.S. universities are establishing branch campuses in other countries and partnerships with international institutions, allowing international students to receive a U.S. education without leaving home. Greater competition has prompted some countries to offer courses in English and to expand their recruiting activities and incentives. Some countries also have developed strategic plans or offices focused on attracting international students. Second, the cost of obtaining a U.S. degree is among the highest in the world and rising, which may discourage international students. Average tuition in 2003 at public U.S. colleges and universities was second only to Australia. Moreover, tuition and associated costs continue to rise. While the effects of high and rising costs and related factors are difficult to estimate, some policymakers are concerned they may be discouraging international students from coming to the United States. Lastly, visa policies and procedures, tightened after September 11 to protect our national security, contributed to real and perceived barriers for international students. Post-September 11 changes included a requirement that almost all visa applicants be interviewed, affecting the number of visas issued and extending wait times for visas under certain circumstances.

What GAO Recommends

GAO has made several recommendations to strengthen the visa process in a way that reduces barriers for international students while balancing national security, and recent changes have improved the process. Processing times for certain security reviews have declined, and recent data show more student visas issued in the last few years. The Department of State also has taken steps to ease the burden on students, including expediting interviews and extending the length of time that some visa clearances are valid. We are continuing to study aspects of these issues. The United States must maintain an appropriate balance between protecting national security interests and ensuring our long-term competitiveness. Monitoring current trends and federal policies is essential to ensuring that the United States continues to obtain talented international students in the face of greater global competition.