The United States sees a significant and increasing departure of international graduates. Annually, American universities confer degrees upon around 250,000 international students across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. However, the majority of these graduates do not stay in the U.S. long-term, partly due to limited visas available for skilled workers.
According to an analysis of the National Survey of College Graduates, only 41% of international students who graduated from American universities between 2012 and 2020 were still residing in the country as of 2021. This trend is starkly evident across different degree levels: more than four out of five foreign-born bachelor’s degree recipients ultimately leave, with only 17% remaining; similarly, half of master’s degree recipients and a quarter of PhD recipients also depart.
The issue is compounded by static visa quotas for programs like the H-1B and employment-based green cards, leading to a growing exodus of international graduates. Recent cohorts have seen over 150,000 graduates leaving the U.S. after completing their studies.
Regional disparities in retention are notable, with the West Coast showing higher effectiveness in retaining and attracting international graduates compared to other parts of the country. For every 100 foreign-born graduates, the West Coast hosts 83, reflecting its allure and possibly its tech sector’s strength in attracting foreign PhD graduates.
This departure of skilled graduates poses economic challenges for U.S. regions, with significant numbers leaving even from areas that educate substantial numbers of international students. For instance, despite New York graduating over 30,000 foreign students annually, only a fraction remain in the region.
Addressing this issue requires expanding visa pathways tailored to skilled graduates. Proposals such as a Heartland Visa could incentivize retention in regions experiencing economic decline, while initiatives like the Chipmaker’s Visa would facilitate the integration of crucial talent into sectors like semiconductors.
Ultimately, expanding these pathways is crucial for the U.S. to capitalize on the educational investments made by international students and to maintain its competitiveness in the global talent market.