Refers to individuals who come to the United States from other countries to pursue higher education at American colleges and universities. These students typically hold non-immigrant visas, such as F-1 visas for academic studies, and contribute to the cultural and intellectual diversity of U.S. campuses. International students comprise more than 5% of all students in higher education, and about 20% of students at the graduate level.  Enrollment of international students has decreased in recent years, in part as a result of federal administrative policy changes that make it more difficult for international students to come to the U.S.; and as universities in other nations attract more international students.

Related Term: Foreign Nationals, defined by ed.gov as "citizens of countries other than those in which they reside"