Which is the largest university in the world by student enrollment for international students?
By international student headcount, New York University leads any single campus with about 27,532 international students, followed by Columbia and Arizona State. By percentage, Macau University of Science and Technology tops the list at roughly 91.6 percent. Overall enrollment giants like India's IGNOU are mostly domestic distance learners.
If you mean the largest by international student numbers, New York University hosts the biggest headcount of any single campus, around 27,532 international students. But size can mean sheer numbers or the proportion of the student body, and the two lists look very different, so it helps to see both.
Largest by International Student Headcount
| University | Location | Approx International Headcount |
|---|---|---|
| New York University | United States | 27,532 |
| Columbia University | United States | 20,733 |
| Arizona State University | United States | 14,600+ |
| University of London institutions | United Kingdom | 13,000 to 18,000+ |
Highest by Percentage International
| University | Location | Share International |
|---|---|---|
| Macau University of Science and Technology | Macau | ~91.6% |
| Near East University | Cyprus | 86.4% |
| Constructor University | Germany | 83.2% |
| London School of Economics | United Kingdom | Over 70% |
My Advice
Do not choose a university just because it enrolls the most international students; a huge cohort like NYU's gives you a vibrant, diverse community, but a high-density campus can feel more intimate and supportive. Note that mega-universities such as India's IGNOU, with 7.1 million students, are overwhelmingly domestic distance learners, so weigh the actual student experience over raw headline numbers.
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