PORTLAND Ore. – Oregon’s seven universities expect the largest number of international students ever when classes begin this week.
Total enrollment at the universities will likely top 100,000, a record, The Oregonian reports. That’s 20 percent growth over four years.
The international student population jumped 45 percent in four years. There are now about 5,600 international students at Oregon universities.
It’s in the interest of the schools to bring in foreign students—high nonresident tuition helps offset cuts the state has made during the Great Recession. International students pay three times what resident students pay for tuition.
The universities argue it’s not all about the money, though. Officials said they also want more international students so they can expose all students to other cultures.
“Our students are going to be working in a global economy,” said Oregon State University provost Sabah Randhawa. “We can create an environment where they do spend time with international students that really enriches their education.”
Oregon State wants to boost its international enrollment from last year’s 6.5 percent to 10 percent, Randhawa said.
