Intensive English Programs (IEPs) in the United States witnessed a 6% increase in international student enrolment in 2023, according to the latest data from the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Open Doors report. The findings were released at the NAFSA Conference in New Orleans last 30 May, revealing that the total number of enrolled international students reached 67,924, continuing the sector’s recovery from the pandemic.
Increase in student numbers and weeks
Student weeks, which measure the total duration of students’ enrolment, rose significantly in 2023. There were 757,712 student weeks recorded, suggesting an 11.6% increase from 2022 figures. This marked a substantial recovery compared to the pre-pandemic benchmark of 1,041,553 weeks in 2019. This indicates an average stay of 11.2 weeks per student, slightly longer than the 10.4 weeks in 2022. Moreover, the gains allowed the US IEP sector to recover to 72% of its pre-pandemic volumes in terms of student weeks.
Source countries and regional trends
Japan continues to lead as the top source country for IEP students, sending 10,987 students in 2023 – a 4.7% increase from the previous year. This represents 16% of all IEP enrolments, more than double that of France, the second-largest source country with 5,186 students.
Asia, while still the largest source region with 38% of the market, experienced a decline from its 54% share in 2019. Brazil climbed to the third spot with 4,783 students and China sent 3,982 students. Other pivotal contributors were Italy, which sent 3,653 students, and Taiwan, which experienced a remarkable 127.2% increase, bringing its total to 2,606 students.
Furthermore, Europe’s presence has grown substantially, increasing from 7% in 2015 to 29% in 2023. Latin America also showed growth, rising from 15% in 2015 to 22% last year.
Popular states and visa trends
California remains the most popular state for IEP enrolment, hosting 15,937 students, followed by New York with 11,917 students. The top five states also include Florida with 7,463 students, Massachusetts with 5,994 students and Hawaii with 3,333 students. Most states generally saw a modest increase in enrolments.
Notably, there has been a shift in the visa status of IEP students. In 2023, only 55% of students were on F student visas, down from 73% in 2022. Conversely, the use of B visitor visas has increased sharply, with 38% of students using this visa type compared to 22% the previous year. This shift displays a growing preference for short-term study options that do not require student visas.
Institutional preferences and future intentions
The types of institution hosting IEP students have also seen changes. In 2023, half of the students enrolled in independent providers not affiliated with higher education institutions (HEIs), which marks a 39% increase from previous years. Meanwhile, 40% of students attended IEPs governed by colleges or universities and the remaining 10% were with independent providers affiliated with HEIs.
Private providers are more likely to enrol students on visitor visas, with 62% of their students using such visas, compared to only 17% at HEI-affiliated providers. Additionally, 27.6% of IEP students surveyed indicated intentions to pursue further studies in the US, with a higher inclination among those in HEI-affiliated institutions (42%) compared to those in non-affiliated providers (11%).
Resilience amidst dynamic trends
The modest growth in IEP enrolments and student weeks in 2023 reflects a sector still rebounding from the pandemic. While numbers are yet to reach pre-COVID levels, the continued increase in enrolments and the changing dynamics in source countries, visa preferences and institutional types demonstrate a resilient and evolving landscape for English language education in the US. The full recovery and future trends depend on various factors, including global mobility, visa policies and the ongoing appeal of the US as a destination for language learning.
To know more about the opportunities available for international students and updates about education in the USA, check out our blog or reach out to our North American team at gspna@globalstudypartners.com.
To view the full report published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), check out the Open Doors® data on Intensive English Programs (IEP) in the USA.
