College Study Abroad Statistics

During the 2020-2021 academic year, roughly 14,550 U.S. students studied abroad.^{Note Reference [1]} This number is a 91% decrease from the previous year when 162,600 students participated in study abroad programs and likely due to the COVID-19 shutdowns.

In this report, we cover study abroad statistics, including the rates of U.S. students studying abroad, the rates of international students coming to the U.S., and popular destinations.

Broken down by region, Europe was the most popular destination for U.S. study abroad students in 2020-2021, with over 66% of all study abroad participants choosing that location.^{Note Reference [1]} Asia was second, although nowhere close, with about 12% of all U.S. study abroad students choosing the region.

Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom were the most popular study abroad destinations for U.S. students in 2019-2021. These three locations alone made up over 40% of all U.S. study abroad trips that year.^{Note Reference [1]}

France and South Korea made up another 13.7% of U.S. learners, while other destinations each had less than 5% of study abroad students.^{Note Reference [1]}

If you intend to study abroad and get academic credit for it from your school, tuition costs will largely depend on your institution’s cost per credit.

Costs can vary between colleges. Below are examples from several public and private universities’ study abroad programs.

According to New York University, the cost to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, comes out to be between $38,790 and $42,090 per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.^[5] The following table shows the cost breakdown.

Below is the Madrid, Spain, semester study abroad cost breakdown for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The total cost comes out to be $22,270 for in-state undergraduates and $39,770 for out-of-state undergraduates due to tuition differences.^[6]

The cost to study abroad in Florence, Italy, for New York University students comes out to be between $42,740 and $47,580 per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.^[7]

Below is the Tuscania, Italy, semester study abroad cost breakdown for North Carolina State University students. The total comes out to be $16,650 for spring 2024.^[8]

According to New York University, the cost to study abroad in London, England, comes out to be between $41,510-$48,680 per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.^[9]

Below is the London, England, semester study abroad cost breakdown for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. It was $21,380 for in-state undergraduates and $38,880 for out-of-state undergraduates.^[10]

Japan was the most popular Asia study abroad destination in 2019-2020. Over 3,400 U.S. students studied abroad in Japan that academic year.^{Note Reference [1]} The number plummeted to 124 students in 2020-2021, likely due to the pandemic.

Compared to many European destinations, especially France and the United Kingdom, Japan is much more affordable.

Participants in Columbia University’s study abroad program in Kyoto, Japan, for example, can expect to pay an out-of-pocket amount of up to $6,400, excluding tuition.^[11] This amount would not even cover the cost of housing in Paris, London, or Madrid.

Students of color were much less likely to study abroad in 2020-2021. For example, while Black students made up 13% of the student population at postsecondary institutions that year, just 4% participated in study abroad programs.^{Note Reference [2]}

In contrast, 54% of all enrolled students were white in 2020-2021, but nearly 70% studied abroad.^{Note Reference [2]} Asian/Pacific Islander students were the only other demographic whose study abroad rates exceeded enrollment rates (10% vs. 7.7%).

The percentage of students with disabilities who study abroad has drastically increased in the past 15 years — going from 2.6% in 2006-2007 to 11.2% in 2020-2021.^{Note Reference [3]}

Disabilities included autism spectrum disorder, chronic health disorder, learning disabilities, mental disabilities, physical disabilities, and sensory disabilities.^{Note Reference [3]}

The vast majority (90%) of U.S. students with disabilities who studied abroad in 2020-2021 had chronic health disorders and/or learning and mental disabilities.^{Note Reference [3]}

Did you know that some community colleges offer study abroad programs as well? U.S. students who were enrolled in community colleges had different leading study abroad destinations than students at four-year colleges and universities, although France remained a top choice for learners at both institution types.

Study abroad options can depend on a range of factors including which institutions your school has partnerships with and the financial background of students.