A new report from Duolingo and College Pulse explores what today’s international college students are experiencing as they navigate applications, choose their destination country, and plan their futures. For many, studying abroad represents not only an academic opportunity but a doorway to mobility, stability, and long-term professional growth. Yet the path to a global education is becoming more complex, shaped by tightening visa policies, rising costs, and rapidly evolving expectations around English-language proficiency. Against this backdrop, understanding students’ perspectives becomes essential for institutions hoping to attract and support the next generation of global talent. As English tests are a hurdle for many applicants, this study identifies key trends across major testing platforms and highlights the Duolingo English Test as the fastest-growing English-language assessment in the industry.
This report is based on responses from 1,048 international students from Brazil, China, Nepal, Nigeria, India, Vietnam, South Korea, Bangladesh, and more. The survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse between March 20, 2025 and August 4, 2025.
Key highlights include:
- Technology, engineering, and science-related fields consistently top students’ academic interests when choosing to study in the U.S.
- One in three international students applied to a destination with easier study-visa policies (e.g., higher F-1 visa approval rates).
- Two in three international students relied on counselors, independent consultants, or agents to navigate application requirements such as assembling financial documents, understanding deadlines, and preparing for English tests.
- Among the class of 2028, 50% of international students took the TOEFL exam, one in four took the IELTS exam, and one in five took the Duolingo English Test.
To gain access to more insights, explore the report.
