Top 10 Study Abroad Destinations for U.S. Students

From the romantic allure of Paris to the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, more than 330,000 American students studied abroad in the 2016-17 school year, according to data from the Institute of International Education. While the majority opted for Europe, other popular destinations included Asia and Latin America – and 46 students even braved the icescape of Antarctica, per IIE data. Various study abroad options exist, including partnership programs with a student's home college, host organizations, language schools and international exchanges. Here's a look at the top 10 study abroad destinations for U.S. students and the top college in each country, per the U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 7,531

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: University of Tokyo, 62 (tie)

Despite a close trade partnership, the U.S. and Japan do not currently have a robust exchange of students. Only 7,531 U.S. students studied there in 2016-17, and in the 2017-18 school year, Japan sent just 18,753 student to the States, according to IIE data. Japan's top-ranked school, the University of Tokyo, was founded in 1877 and has multiple campuses across the island nation.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 8,322

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: N/A

With abundant rainforests and crystalline beaches, Costa Rica is a tourist paradise. But it isn't just for visitors; it's also a top-10 study abroad destination for Americans, despite the fact that the number of U.S. students in Costa Rica dipped by nearly 10% in the 2016-17 school year. No schools in Costa Rica cracked the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 10,400

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: University of Melbourne, 26

Australia is rapidly growing as a study abroad hot spot for American students. In 2016-17, the number of Americans studying Down Under grew by 9.1%, according to IIE. The University of Melbourne, Australia's top college in the U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings, was founded in 1853 and features seven campuses across the nation.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 11,492

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: Trinity College Dublin, 212 (tie)

The Emerald Isle has seen the highest percentage of growth in recent years as a study abroad destination for U.S. students with an increase of 27.9% since the 2014-15 school year, per IIE data. Ireland's leading university, Trinity College Dublin, was established in 1592.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 11,910

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: Tsinghua University, 50

Despite trade tensions that threaten to disrupt enrollment growth, China sends more students to the U.S. – 363,341 in 2017-18 – than the entire population of American students studying abroad. The influx of U.S. students to China, however, remains flat. China's top-ranked school, Tsinghua University, was founded in 1911.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 12,585

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: University of Munich, 46 (tie)

Germany is a growing destination for American students. That growth, since 2014-15, trails only Ireland and Australia among top 10 study abroad destinations for U.S. students, according to IIE. Germany's top-ranked college, the University of Munich, has roots dating back to 1472.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 16,462

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: Universite Paris Saclay (ComUE), 30

No stop in France is complete without an Eiffel Tower selfie, and many Americans likely had the chance to snap one as they studied in the fourth most popular destination for U.S. students in 2016-17. France's top college, per U.S. News rankings, is the Universite Paris Saclay (ComUE).

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 31,320

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: University of Barcelona, 96 (tie)

Spain said, "bienvenidos," to more than 30,000 American students in the 2016-17 school year, per IIE data. As the third most popular destination for U.S. students, it hosted 9.4% of American study abroad participants. Spain's top school, the University of Barcelona, was founded in 1450.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 35,366

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: University of Bologna, 122 (tie)

Welcoming more than 35,000 U.S. students, picturesque Italy is the second most popular study abroad destination for Americans. Of all U.S. students studying abroad in 2016-17, 10.6% did so in Italy. Its top-ranked school, the University of Bologna, traces its history back to 1088.

Number of U.S. students in 2016-17: 39,851

U.S. News top-ranked Global University: University of Oxford, 5

The top study abroad destination for American students is the U.K. With nearly 40,000 American students on its shores, the U.K. was host to 12% of U.S. study abroad participants in 2016-17, per IIE. The U.K.'s top-ranked school, the University of Oxford, dates back to at least 1096.

Explore our Best Global Universities rankings for more information on the top institutions in the world. Follow U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter for more higher education news.

• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Spain
• France
• Germany
• China
• Ireland
• Australia
• Costa Rica
• Japan