International student employment trends 2025
International students often choose to study in the US because of the promise of strong career outcomes. But despite their high levels of engagement and academic achievement, many still face barriers to employment, including limited access to internships and lower post-graduation job offer rates.
This report explores key trends in employment and experiential learning before and after graduation. Drawing on data from NACE, NAFSA, and Interstride research, it offers actionable insights to help institutions improve career support, employer outreach, and long-term outcomes for international students.
Key highlights from the report
Internship access remains limited. Only 25% of international students complete off-campus internships, compared to 42% of domestic students.
Lower internship-to-job conversion rates. International students are 30% less likely to receive a job offer from their internship employer.
- Greater career services engagement. 85% of international students use campus career services, compared to 59% of domestic students.
Post-graduation employment gap persists. Employment rates are 44.6% for international students versus 62.1% for domestic peers.
More effort, fewer results in the job search. International students apply to twice as many jobs but receive 30% fewer offers.
Higher average starting salaries. International students earn $80,785 on average, largely due to STEM field concentration.
Visa and sponsorship remain major barriers. Work authorization limits and H-1B lottery odds continue to impact post-graduation employment outcomes.
