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Top Higher Education Schools of F-1 Students

Top 500 universities or colleges by F-1 student population in calendar year 2024. *Includes associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral students. More About F1


🌍 What is the F‑1 Visa?

The F‑1 visa allows international students to study full-time at accredited U.S. schools that are certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most common visa for academic study in the United States, including universities, colleges, language training programs, and private high schools.

📊 Key Facts

  • Over 1.58 million active F‑1 and M‑1 students were recorded in 2024.
  • More than 90% of F‑1 students are enrolled in higher education programs.
  • California, New York, and Texas host the largest student populations.
  • Top fields of study include Computer Science, Business, and Engineering.

🎓 Academic and Career Opportunities

  • Eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
  • STEM OPT Extension allows an additional 24 months of work for qualifying degrees.
  • Opportunities for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during studies.

🏫 Finding an F‑1 School

To study in the U.S. under an F‑1 visa, you must be admitted to an SEVP-certified school. As of 2024, there are more than 7,200 SEVP-certified schools offering a wide range of academic and training programs.

Use our search tools to explore schools by location, field of study, and level of education to find the best match for your academic and career goals.