Top U.S. Cities for International Students

6 – Seattle

Seattle’s ranking among the top large cities for international students is well-earned: The Emerald City boasts the highest density of recreational venues within the top 10 — around 545 per 100,000 residents. Whether it be cinemas, sports events, performing arts, museums, or just exploring a variety of restaurants and bars, Seattle has it all. These big-city attractions blend seamlessly with the city’s natural and outdoor appeal, offering something for everyone.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s vibrant scene is matched by its strong collegiate atmosphere. The city has a high international student density with 9.3% of undergraduates coming from abroad — the second-highest share among the top 10 cities. A significant contributor to this, of course, is the University of Washington, where international “Huskies” bring a diverse student population and increase the opportunity for social connection among international peers.

7 – New York City

It’s no surprise that New York City ranked among the top cities for international students. Beyond the rich cultural diversity, the city’s infrastructure promotes a lifestyle where walking, biking or using public transportation is the norm, making it incredibly convenient for students. This urban ease — combined with the city’s bustling, international atmosphere — makes New York particularly appealing.

The Big Apple also excels in educational support, boasting the third-highest density of support establishments with 118 for every 100,000 students. Additionally, 8.7% of undergraduates in the city come from abroad, providing significant social-emotional support through a large, diverse community of international peers. New York City is also home to New York University — the most popular university for international students in the nation.

8 – Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte offers a compelling mix of affordability and impressive density of student services. For example, the city boasts some of the best affordability for students with average monthly rent and food prices being the second-lowest among the top 10 large international student-friendly cities.

The North Carolina city is also dedicated to student well-being with 103 educational support services for every 100,000 undergraduates — a higher ratio than LA, Seattle, Philadelphia and Boston. Although international students make up only about 2.9% of the undergraduate population, institutions like the University of North Carolina at Charlotte support them with programs such as “global greeters,” in which international students are paired with student mentors to ease their transition to U.S. campus life.

9 – San Francisco

San Francisco excels in the density of student support services with the second-highest ratio of educational services per 100,000 undergraduates. Equally, it has a wealth of cultural and outright fun experiences available to international students with the second-highest score within the top 10 for its concentration of 541 venues for recreation per 100,000 residents.

The share of international students here is also strong, making up 8.5% of all undergraduates. And, San Francisco scored third-highest in the overall community and support category by combining both the share of international students and support services. Overall, San Francisco’s advantages are clear, but they also come with the caveat of the highest cost of food, as well as the third-highest rent.

10 – Baltimore

Rounding out the top 10 large cities ideal for international students, Baltimore scored consistently well across most categories. With average rents around $1,870 and grocery prices at 104.5 on the food index, the city ranked fourth-best in both of these affordability metrics among the top 10. Additionally, international students make up 6.3% of the city’s undergraduate population, highlighting Baltimore’s appeal to scholars from abroad.

Here, Johns Hopkins University — one of the most popular destinations for international students studying in the U.S. — exemplifies the benefits of the American university experience. Alongside its renowned programs in medicine, engineering and international relations, the University’s established connections with top local companies provide international students with invaluable internship experiences, serving as a foundation for future professional opportunities in the U.S.

Interested in more details about the top 10 best large cities for international students and more? Use the buttons above the chart to see which large cities had the best showings in individual metrics.

Top 10 U.S. Small to Mid-Sized Cities for International Students: Champaign, Durham, & Syracuse Lead the Way

While big cities attract international students with their vibrant and diverse environments, small to mid-sized cities offer a unique and enriching American college experience that’s hard to beat. These cities often revolve around their universities, creating dynamic communities where student life truly thrives.

Take Champaign, Ill., for example. With a population just under 90,000 and a student body of roughly 40,000, it epitomizes the quintessential college town by providing a close-knit and immersive experience. Meanwhile, mid-sized cities like Miami (with a population nearing 450,000) offer a more urban vibe, while still maintaining a strong student presence. Despite these differences, one thing is certain: These small to mid-sized cities are stepping up and offering international students the best of both worlds.

Looking at the map of the top 10 small to mid-sized cities for international students, a different landscape emerges compared to their larger counterparts: Coastal cities are notably absent with Champaign leading a cluster of four Midwest entries. The rest of the top 10 stretches from Syracuse, N.Y., in the northeast to Durham, N.C., and as far south as Miami.

1 – Champaign, Ill.

Champaign grabbed the top spot in part due to the University of Illinois (UIC), a magnet for international students. With 12.3% of its student body coming from abroad, Champaign boasted the highest ratio of international students to undergraduates among small to mid-sized cities. Despite being a smaller city, it’s a major hub for international students with the University of Illinois ranking alongside major universities in cities like Boston, New York and Los Angeles in terms of popularity among global scholars.

Champaign is also budget-friendly: The city boasted the third-lowest food prices and the second-lowest public transit fares. Plus, it’s also the only city in the top 10 with an average monthly rent below $1,000 at $947. This combination of affordability and diversity makes Champaign an attractive destination for international students seeking a welcoming and cost-effective place to study.

2 – Durham, N.C.

Durham claimed the runner-up spot among the best small to mid-sized cities for international students, distinguishing itself with its robust support network. With 140 student support establishments, Durham also had the highest ratio relative to its undergraduate population in cities with fewer than 500,000 residents. These resources — including English language courses and academic support — can be instrumental in helping international students integrate and succeed.

Granted, Duke University plays a significant role in this supportive environment. For starters, the university requires students to live on campus for their first three years, fostering a tight-knit community. Additionally, cultural groups like the Duke International Association, which represents students from more than 89 countries, create an environment that helps ease the typical anxieties of international students.

3 – Syracuse, N.Y.

The upstate city of Syracuse, home to Syracuse University, ranked third on our list of the best small to mid-sized places for international students. It has a strong global student community spirit, boasting the second-highest share of international students in the top 10 with 7.4% of its total undergraduate population coming from abroad.

Getting around Syracuse is also convenient with 19.4% of residents using public transportation, walking or biking. To that end, one of the advantages of living in a smaller city like Syracuse is the ease of mobility. Students can easily walk or bike from anywhere on campus to Marshall Street, a popular social hub just off University Avenue. Additionally, students have access to the ‘Cuse Trolley campus shuttle service and the city’s local bus services. Moreover, Syracuse also offers more than 80 miles of bike lanes that separate cyclists from motorized traffic.

4 – Buffalo, N.Y.

Another New York state gem, Buffalo ranked fourth among the top small to mid-sized cities. With a 7.2% share of international students, it’s a popular destination for global scholars. Here again, the University at Buffalo (UB) is well-regarded for its diversity and strong academic programs. In fact, UB’s reputation for providing excellent value for the money makes it particularly attractive, especially because international students pay tuition similar to out-of-state U.S. citizens.

In terms of living costs, Buffalo has some of the lowest cost of food among the top 10 in this population category, as well as the third-lowest rent and some of the more affordable public transit fares. Overall, Buffalo does well to address the ongoing affordability concerns for students travelling to study in the U.S.