ASU remains the No. 1 public university choice for international students
International students play “Human Bingo” at the International Welcome event in the Student Pavilion on the Tempe campus Aug.16, 2024. Photo by Armand Saavedra/Arizona State University
For the fifth consecutive year, Arizona State University has been recognized by the Institute of International Education as the No. 1 public university in the U.S. for hosting international students.
According to the IIE’s 2025 Open Doors report, ASU has held the top spot eight of the past 10 years, and this year it ranks ahead of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Over the 2024-25 academic year, ASU hosted 20,368 international students from 165 countries who are pursuing bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The total includes F-1 visa holders taking part in Optional Practical Training and STEM-OPT. That year’s international student total reflects a 10% increase in 2024–25 compared with 2023–24.
“We are especially proud of our international student community who have shown resilience and remained focused on their academic goals,” said Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost. “ASU remains deeply committed to supporting every international student and delivering an outstanding education that will help prepare them to make a positive global impact.”
'Every classroom feels like a mini UN'
ASU has created a welcoming, collaborative university culture where international students can thrive inside and outside the classroom.
Economics student Myra Singh from India says that culture is one of the best things about ASU.
“I love the vibrant mix of cultures and perspectives at ASU — it truly feels like the whole world in one campus,” Singh said. “Every day is a chance to meet people from different backgrounds, share stories and learn from each other’s experiences. The people here are incredibly welcoming.”
Christole Chikwekwete, a global management major in the Thunderbird School of Global Management who hails from Zimbabwe, feels that same whole-world-in-one-campus vibe.
“What I like best is the people. Every classroom feels like a mini U.N., and you can learn as much from a conversation with a classmate as you do from a professor. The culture is unapologetically innovative,” Chikwekwete said.
Even before arriving on campus, many students say they feel welcomed into the Sun Devil community.
“ASU’s culture of inclusion, curiosity and forward thinking is everything I was looking for,” said Sri Hari Priya Panchumarthi, an information technology student from India. “The Sun Devil spirit is so real, and I already feel like a proud part of the ASU family, even before arriving.”
'Like stepping into a world of possibilities'
For many international students, ASU is more than a place to earn a degree — it’s an environment that empowers them to pursue what inspires them.
“Choosing ASU felt like stepping into a world of possibilities,” says Maria Ramalho, a graduate student in accountancy and data analytics from Brazil. “There are countless opportunities to succeed, and with effort, I’ve been able to tap into these resources and enhance my academic and personal growth.”
In addition to plentiful opportunities, ASU’s robust support resources are critical for international students who are a world away from their homes.
“The campus resources at ASU are abundant, offering a wide range of support in areas like career development, counseling and physical health programs,” says Yongqi Lao, a music performance doctoral student from China. “This was something I didn’t expect before coming to ASU.”
The home base for international student support
At the center of ASU’s international student support system is the International Students and Scholars Center. The ISSC assists students with essential immigration processes to maintain eligibility to study in the U.S.
But ISSC’s support goes beyond paperwork. Nearly as important is the work it does to help international students feel at home.
Connecting with other students and understanding and adapting to American culture are vital to an international student's success at a U.S. university. The ISSC offers workshops and events to help students make connections and feel that they’re part of their new home through activities such as game and karaoke nights, coffee hours and even a Thanksgiving celebration.
The ISSC is also instrumental in helping international students find jobs, which many of them need to have to continue studying in the U.S.
“When international students choose ASU, they place an extraordinary amount of trust in us — leaving behind their home country to pursue their education here,” said Moninder “Holly” Singh, assistant vice president and executive director of the ISSC. “It’s our responsibility to honor that trust by providing comprehensive, student-centered support that empowers them to thrive academically, socially and personally.”
Beyond ISSC events, international students at ASU are active in internationally focused student clubs, the Global Peer Mentor program and ASU’s annual International Night — a celebration of the many cultures represented at ASU. For learners who need additional support developing their English proficiency, ASU Global Launch offers comprehensive language instruction and academic preparation. Additionally, international students have access to all the support resources available to every ASU student, such as free tutoring, counseling and career services.
Decades-long history of welcoming international students
Since 1949, ASU has been participating in the IIE Open Doors Report. Back then, the university hosted just 14 international students. Because of its growing reputation as a top global university, more international students have joined ASU in the past decade than in the previous decades combined.
Today, just as it did more than 75 years ago, ASU values the diverse perspectives that international students bring and their contributions to ASU’s mission of improving the lives of people around the world.
Sruthi Kasturi, a biomedical informatics graduate student from India, recognizes this uncommon experience that ASU offers.
“What I love most about ASU is the inclusive and collaborative culture,” Kasturi said. “The diverse perspectives of students and faculty inspire innovation and learning.”
As for Ramalho, she has no doubt that she made the right university choice.
“ASU’s reputation as a global university with a strong support system for international students made it feel like the right place to grow both personally and academically,” she says. “Plus, the warm Arizona sunshine didn’t hurt either.”
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