William & Mary is once again the top ranked public university in the nation for study-abroad participation, a spot it has claimed 11 times over the last 16 years. The university offers more than 45 W&M faculty-led study abroad programs and internships along with hundreds of other global exchange opportunities in more than 55 countries. 

The university also ranks 14th nationally among all doctoral-granting universities – public and private – in long-term duration of study abroad. The ranking is part of the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange released Nov. 18 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE).

“While the rankings are significant, we take pride in the fact that William & Mary remains a national leader in study abroad, not merely in terms of percentages of participants, but also in the quality of the experience,” said Teresa Longo, associate provost for international affairs. 

“Together with our partners abroad, William & Mary has invested in global experiences tied to academic excellence, career readiness and to our students’ understanding of their place in the world. Study abroad is an example of applied learning at its most transformative, and we work every year to enable as many of our students as possible to study abroad.” 

Study abroad at W&M 

In addition to offering students a diverse selection of study-abroad opportunities through the Global Education Office (GEO), William & Mary’s Reves Center for International Studies also provides more than $700,000 annually for study-abroad scholarships as one of many efforts to reduce financial barriers. Students receive support, information, resources and guidance on various study-abroad programs and international university exchanges through GEO, which also provides workshops, peer advising and re-entry assistance for students returning from their study-abroad experience. 

“Study abroad is an integral part of the W&M student experience, which aligns with university goals of the general COLL300 curriculum, career readiness and applied learning,” said Sylvia Mitterndorfer, director of the Global Education Office and director of global partnerships for the Reves Center.

“These opportunities are made possible by students and families recognizing the value and importance of global experiences alongside the deep sustained work of dedicated professionals, faculty, colleagues across campus, and strong partners around the world. Visionary donors have continued to help make study abroad access affordable for more students. New program offerings in more countries and new fields, especially STEM, offer more students opportunities to engage in their fields of study while abroad and enhance their intellectual and personal journeys on campus.” 

International students in the U.S. and at William & Mary 

The International Students, Scholars & Programs (ISSP) office at the Reves Center reports there are currently just under 900 international students, scholars and family members at W&M. There are approximately 550 international graduate and undergraduate students enrolled across multiple disciplines and professional schools. They represent more than 65 places of origin. And in keeping with national trends, the international student population at W&M is approximately 5%, and the top two places of origin are China and India. 

Eva Wong, director of International Students, Scholars and Programs (ISSP) at the Reves Center, notes that the significance of an international academic community lies at the core of the mission of William & Mary. 

“International student exchange is an essential contributor to America’s economic competitiveness and national security,” said Wong. “We need people who can find solutions that keep us secure and make us more prosperous. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to welcome a diverse community of students, scholars, faculty, and staff from around the world to our campus.” 

According to data from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students and scholars at William & Mary in the 2022-2023 academic year had a positive economic impact of  $31.4 million on Virginia’s 1st U.S. Congressional District’s, supporting 336 jobs in Williamsburg, Richmond and the surrounding areas. 

Methodology of the report 

According to the current report, which uses data from the 2022-2023 academic year, 898 William & Mary undergraduate students studied abroad for academic credit during their undergraduate careers. In the previous Open Doors report (2021-2022), 710 William & Mary undergraduate students studied abroad for academic credit during their undergraduate careers. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the number of U.S. students who studied abroad for academic credit increased by 49% from the prior year, signaling further growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

W&M earns Open Doors 75 Seal of Excellence for reporting data 

IIE has also awarded W&M the Open Doors 75 Seal of Excellence for reporting data to Open Doors since its beginning in 1949. IIE conducted a historical analysis of Open Doors records and identified more than 600 institutions that reported their data in 1949 and 2024. 

About Open Doors 

Since its founding in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) has conducted an annual census of international students in the United States. It was renamed the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange in 1954, and in 1972 began receiving support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Information Agency (USIA), now part of the U.S. Department of State. Open Doors has long been regarded as the comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars in the United States and on U.S. students studying abroad. For more data, infographics and resources, visit opendoorsdata.org.