International

By Sydney Mook

North Dakota’s more than 2,000 international students contributed more than $50 million to the state’s economy during the 2018-19 school year, a recent study conducted by a national nonprofit specializing in international education shows.

The organization, NAFSA: Association of International Educators (NAFSA formerly stood for the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers), conducted an analysis across the country to measure the contributions made to the economy during the past academic year. Nationwide, international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities contributed about $41 billion and supported more than 458,000 jobs during the 2018-2019 academic year.

“Beyond this economic contribution, international students bring countless academic and cultural benefits to our classrooms, our communities and our country. International students and scholars create jobs, drive innovation, enrich our classrooms, strengthen our national security and become our best ambassadors and allies around the world,” said Esther Brimmer, NAFSA executive director and CEO.

In North Dakota, the state’s 2,114 enrolled international students supported 471 jobs and contributed $53.4 million to the North Dakota economy that year, according to the report.

The report breaks down its findings further to a per university level. International students at UND contributed $21.2 million, supporting 218 jobs during that timespan, or nearly half of the contributions to the state.

North Dakota State students contributed $19.6 million and 185 to the state economy.

The other top contributors were as follows:

Minot State University

$6.2 million supporting 28 jobs

University of Mary

$2 million supporting 20 jobs

University of Jamestown

$1.7 million supporting eight jobs

Dickinson State University

$1.1 million supporting five jobs

Lake Region State College

$708,812 supporting three jobs

North Dakota State College of Science

$328,156 supporting two jobs

Valley City State University

$326,496 supporting two jobs

Mayville State University

$314,785 supporting one job

In Minnesota, the state’s 15,279 enrolled international students contributed more than $482 million to the state, supporting 4,497 jobs. In the western part of the state, the seventh congressional district, just over 1,000 international students supported 133 jobs in the district, contributing nearly $25 million to the district’s economy. Minnesota State University-Moorhead led the way in the district with $9.2 million supporting 49 jobs in the area. Students at Concordia College, also located in Moorhead, contributed $3.4 million to the local economy, supporting 19 jobs. At Bemidji State University, international students contributed $2.8 million, supporting 15 jobs in the area.

In South Dakota, 2,064 enrolled international students supported 320 jobs in the state and contributed $45.4 million to the state’s economy. South Dakota State University led the way in the state, with students contributing $20.5 million, supporting 178 jobs. Augustana College and the University of South Dakota were tied with students contributing about $6.6 million to the economy, supporting 31 and 56 jobs, respectively.