Research shows a high international STEM graduate retention rate in US

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Over the past five years, approximately 77% of international STEM doctoral graduates from American universities had remained in the US post-graduation, research has found. Earlier this month, Georgetown University research analyst Jack Corrigan, data scientist James Dunham, and research fellow Remco Zwetsloot published an issue brief examining the statistical trends of international STEM doctoral students studying in the US and remaining in the country after graduation.

“One of the United States’ greatest advantages in attracting STEM talent is the strength of its higher education system,” the authors asserted. Biden-Harris Administration also introduced 22 new fields to the existing list of STEM categories approved for the Optional Practical Training program.

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The authors proffered that over the past 20 years, the international student population in the US accounted for over 40% of the nearly half-million doctoral degrees awarded by universities.

Data was collected on the countries of origin for international students studying in the US for the past two decades. Students from China and India comprised nearly 50% of all international STEM PhD graduates in the US.

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The trio noted that in February 2017, “approximately 90% of Chinese nationals and 87% of Indian nationals who completed STEM PhD programs in the US between 2000 and 2015 were still living in the country, compared to 66% of graduates from other countries”.

However, they added that as a result of caps placed on the number of green cards issued per country, Indian graduates often experienced “more difficulty acquiring permanent residency” than their peers from other countries.

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