High-Skilled Immigration

Fewer than 1 million foreign students enrolled for either online or in-person classes at U.S. universities in the 2020-21 school year.

Pew Research Center’s political typology sorts Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their values, beliefs, and views about politics and the political system. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics.

The shift has been most notable in jobs that prioritize analytical skills, such as science and math, or fundamental skills, such as writing.

Proposals to change the U.S. immigration system have received renewed attention under the Trump administration. Read key details about U.S. immigration programs.

Here’s a brief overview of four paths that many highly educated immigrants take to study and work in the U.S.: the H-1B visa program, the F-1 visa program, the Optional Practical Training program and green cards.

Many Americans support encouraging high-skilled immigration into the United States. But the U.S. trails other economically advanced nations in its share of immigrants with high skills.

In 2016, 17.2% of U.S. immigrants ages 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree and another 12.8% had attained a postgraduate degree. Both shares are up since 1980.

A record 276,500 foreign graduates received work permits under the Optional Practical Training program in the U.S. in 2017, up from 257,100 in 2016.

Explore the movement of international graduates in the 61 metro areas where at least 5,000 foreign graduates applied and were approved for OPT.

Sortable table that provides details on the 113 U.S. metro areas that had 2,000 or more foreign students approved for the U.S. government's Optional Practical Training (OPT) program from 2004 to 2016.