Ohio State ranked in the top 10 nationally for study abroad and top 20 for international students

The Ohio State University is ranked in the top 10 nationally among doctoral institutions for the number of students studying abroad and is in the top 20 for hosting international students, according to a national report released today.

Ohio State ranks 8th among the nation’s colleges and universities and 3rd in the Big Ten with 2,829 students studying abroad in 2018-19, a 3.8 percent decrease from the previous academic year. The university also ranks 3rd in the nation for the number of students participating in short-term programs with 2,660 studying abroad for one to eight weeks during the academic year.

Ohio State ranks 19th in the nation and 5th in the Big Ten with 7,894* international students enrolled in 2019, a 1.5 percent decline in enrollment from 2018, which aligns with the national trend. Students continuing their academic programs and practical training increased by 20 percent while there was a 4 percent decrease in new international students enrolled at the university.

These findings were issued as part of the 2020 Open Doors Report, an annual survey published by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

A more diverse Ohio State student population studied abroad in 2018-19, with an 8.6 percent increase in those who identified as racial or ethnic minorities participating in global learning opportunities over the previous academic year.

“We have made a concerted effort to provide more opportunities for diverse students to engage internationally,” said Gil Latz, vice provost for global strategies and international affairs. “By partnering with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, we have extended our outreach and developed new pathways so that every student at Ohio State understands that education abroad is accessible, and most importantly, possible.”

Nationally, European countries remain the most popular destination to study abroad, and Ohio State is in line with the national trend with the most students studying abroad in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. The top fields of study for Ohio State students studying abroad are business, biological and biomedical sciences, health professions, social sciences, agriculture and engineering.

International students at Ohio State hail from more than 100 countries including China (5,169); India (885); South Korea (379); Malaysia (185); and Taiwan (150). China and India remain the largest source of international students studying in the United States.

The top fields of study at Ohio State for international students include engineering, business, mathematics and statistics and the social sciences, similar to the national trend.

“International students contribute greatly to our Buckeye community, bringing with them new and different perspectives from which we can all greatly benefit,” Latz said. “Ohio State remains committed to providing enhanced programming to help our students adapt to a new cultural environment, while also supporting their academic success.”

The 2020 Open Doors Report is released as part of the nationwide observance of International Education Week Nov. 16-20, a joint initiative established by the U.S. Departments of Education and State.

At Ohio State, International Education Week is celebrated through a number of activities supported by the Office of International Affairs, which facilitates and support’s Ohio State’s international initiatives and advances global opportunities for students, faculty and staff. For more information, visit http://oia.osu.edu/.

* The IIE’s collection of enrollment data for international students includes two categories of students who are not currently enrolled at Ohio State in classes for credit. They include “Optional Practical Training” students who are not taking classes but are continuing their education through practical training in their field of study, and exchange students who are pursuing continuing (non-degree) education.