TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has become the fifth largest source of international students in the US, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, released on Tuesday (Nov. 19).

The number of Taiwanese students enrolled at US colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year increased from 21,834 to 23,157, marking a 6.1% year-over-year increase, according to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

Most Taiwanese students (43.1%) were in graduate programs, while 24% were undergraduates. More than 28% participated in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs, making Taiwan the fourth largest place of origin for OPT, AIT said, while 4.5% of Taiwanese students are enrolled in non-degree programs.

There has been a steady increase of Taiwanese studying in the US from 2015 to 2024, with a pause only in 2019-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taiwanese now make up 2.1% of all international students in the US. 

AIT is hosting a series of events from Nov. 18-22, including seminars and information sessions to advise Taiwanese students interested in pursuing education in the US.