Rankings for International Students Methodology

College Factual’s Rankings for International Students were designed to help students who wish to study in the U.S. discover colleges and universities that will offer them a high-quality educational experience.

Quality is paramount to these rankings, which is why our quality ranking methodology is a heavily weighted factor. Students want to know they will be attending a college that delivers on its promises of advancing graduate's careers and not leaving them drowning in debt.

We also include as a factor the number of international students studying at the school,  and whether the presence of international students is increasing.

We take it as a positive factor if there are a high number of international students on campus as this means the school will be devoting resources to that group. If the number is growing, it means the school likely has programs in place to encourage students from other countries to apply and make the process easier for them. It also means students are likely having positive experiences and recommending the school to others.

Although international students are choosing U.S. colleges to be able to experience an American education, it is also helpful for them to have other international students on campus they can bond with and share information. A school with a larger percentage of international students means more opportunities for students to connect with peers and help each other navigate new experiences in a foreign country.

When it comes to studying internationally, students have a lot to think about between applications, student visas, travel plans, insurance, and more. One thing they shouldn’t have to worry about is finding a quality college that will support their unique needs as international students and give them good chances of finding a job after graduation. That’s why we created this ranking.

Methodology Factors for Overall Rankings:

High Importance

Medium Importance

  • The total number of international students on campus.

Low Importance

We consider the following factors to be positive indicators of quality and are weighted of low importance, although they are not necessary for a school to be ranked:

  • The percentage of international students on campus.
  • The rate of increase in the number of international students on campus.

Methodology for Rankings by Country of Origin

In addition to overall rankings, we also feature rankings specifically catered to students from 50 different countries. These are the countries who are sending enough students to the U.S. that allows us to make meaningful use of the data. Here is the methodology for rankings for specific countries:

High Importance

Medium Importance

  • The number of students from that specific country on campus.
  • The number of total international students on campus.

Low Importance

  • The percentage of the student population from that specific country.
  • The percentage of the student population from any foreign country.
  • The rate of increase in the number of students from that specific country.
  • The rate of increase in the number of students from any foreign country.