Duke Leads NC in Economic Impact from International Students

Duke’s International Students Boost North Carolina’s Economy by $273.5 Million

-By Charles Givens

November 13, 2023

Duke University and Medical Center leads North Carolina in economic impact from international students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, international students from Duke contributed $273.5 million to the state’s economy and supported 3,119 jobs. The data for the impact report was collected in a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Commerce and NAFSA.

Students pay rapt attention as the Indian Ambassador delivers a speech. (Photo credit: Office of Global Affairs)

Duke ranks first among North Carolina’s higher educational institutions in economic impact from international students. During the 2022-2023 academic year, 4,223 international students were enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students, while 1,803 were on the optional practical training visa. Duke’s commitment to academic excellence, supplemented by the contributions of its international students, have contributed to Duke’s leading position in this space.

“WE ALSO NEED TO UNDERSCORE THAT THESE STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR INSTITUTIONS AND OUR COMMUNITIES, AND INDEED OUR VERY COUNTRY.”

“Clearly, international students bring a lot to our campuses, providing diversity and a global outlook. These result in bringing differing perspectives to the classroom and exposure to international issues and an appreciation of other cultures and traditions, among many other benefits,” said Eve Duffy, Associate Vice Provost for Global Affairs. “Yet we also need to underscore that these students contribute to the success of our institutions and our communities, and indeed our very country.”

On a national scale, the economic impact of international students is even more significant. In the 2022-2023 academic year, international students contributed $40.1 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 368,333 jobs. This statistic highlights the close relationship between global education and economic prosperity, where every three international students contribute to the creation or continuation of one U.S. job.