Chinese students are increasingly shunning US university degrees, a trend driven by geopolitical tensions, safety concerns, and rising educational costs. A staggering 89% drop in Chinese enrollment has been reported at some US institutions since 2017, with the number of Chinese students in the US falling to 289,526 for the 2022-23 academic year, down 22% from the peak of 372,532 in 2019-20. This decline is attributed to various factors, including visa issues, anti-Asian sentiment, and a general perception of safety in the US. Notably, San Francisco State University saw a significant drop in its Chinese student population, from 446 in 2019 to just 112 in 2023 [043869bc].
In contrast, the study tourism industry in China is witnessing a shift as students are increasingly exploring educational opportunities in Asia and other Western countries, such as Britain and Australia. This change is partly due to the high costs associated with US education, which averages around $38,270 per year. The market size of China's study tourism industry was valued at 147.3 billion yuan (US$20.3 billion) in 2023, with projections indicating it could exceed 300 billion yuan annually by 2028. The UK has emerged as a preferred destination for high-end study tours, while many Chinese students are now looking towards Asia for further education and career planning [a95039d7][c0e031ca].
Additionally, the return rate of Chinese students from abroad has risen dramatically, from 14% in 2002 to over 80% by 2019, indicating a growing trend of students opting to study domestically. Chinese universities are also improving their global standings, with 13 institutions making it into the 2024 Times Higher Education rankings. Deborah Seligsohn noted that foreign degrees, particularly from the US, have lost value in the eyes of many Chinese students, further contributing to the decline in US university appeal [043869bc].