Public Policy
The Economic Benefits of International Education to the United States of America: A Statistical Analysis, 2004-2005
Annually, NAFSA calculates the economic impact of international students and their dependents on the U.S. economy. During the 2004-2005 academic year, NAFSA estimates that international students and their dependents contributed approximately $13.29 billion to the U.S. economy.
View the archive of the 2003-2004 academic year here.
Economic Impact Statements: 2004-2005 Academic Year
Please select a state to see a detailed report for that individual state. You may click on the map or select from the list below. You can also download a summary of the entire U.S. (130kb 
).
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This conservative figure, $13.29 billion, is based on tuition figures from the College Board, enrollment figures from the Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2005 report, living expenses calculated from College Board figures, and analysis of the data by NAFSA members Lynn Schoch and Jason Baumgartner at Indiana University – Bloomington’s Office of International Services.
This report does not rely on a “multiplier effect.” Although this might provide a more accurate estimate of actual economic impact, there is no consensus on the appropriate size of such a multiplier. We make our assumptions clear in a methodological appendix attached to each report.
Along with our partners at IIE, the College Board, and Indiana University, we are committed to continuing efforts to improve our data and methodology. By any measure, international education makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy.
