Carolina ranks in Top 10 for study abroad participation
The Open Doors Report includes numbers for study abroad and international student enrollment.
UNC-Chapel Hill ranked 10th among universities in the U.S. for study abroad participation, according to the Open Doors 2025 Report. This is the second consecutive year Carolina ranked in the Top 10 nationally. A total of 2,758 students studied abroad during the 2023-24 academic year, making it the highest number in Carolina’s history. Nearly 47% of undergraduates now complete an international experience before graduation.
UNC-Chapel Hill also ranked No. 1 in North Carolina for study abroad participation and placed among the national leaders for program length, coming in at No. 11 for short-term programs (eight weeks or less) and No. 12 for mid-length programs (one semester). This year, the state of North Carolina ranks No. 7 in the nation for study abroad participation.
The report was released Nov. 17 by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, and it summarizes international exchange across U.S. colleges and universities, including study abroad participation for credit and international student enrollment.
“Year after year, the Open Doors Report affirms our deep commitment to providing the richest menu possible of global experiences to every Tar Heel,” said Barbara Stephenson, vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer at UNC-Chapel Hill. “When nearly half of our undergraduate students study abroad, it speaks volumes about the culture of curiosity — and the strength of the Global Guarantee — that define the Carolina experience.”
Carolina’s 2025 Study Abroad Impact Report, released alongside the national rankings, highlights the University’s continued progress in expanding access to international education. The report includes participation trends, student stories, campus benchmarks, and scholarship achievements, underscoring Carolina’s mission to prepare students to lead and collaborate across cultures.
“Our goal has always been to make a global education part of every student’s Carolina journey,” said Jason Kinnear, associate dean for study abroad and exchanges in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences. “We’re proud that students from all majors and backgrounds are finding ways to engage with the world, whether through short-term faculty-led programs, semester opportunities, internships or research abroad.”
According to the 2025 Open Doors report, Carolina’s international student enrollment grew by 6.7% in fall 2024 over the previous year. The top countries of origin for international students are China, India and South Korea.
The Open Doors Report is published annually during International Education Week, Nov. 17-21. Fall 2025 international student enrollment data will be published next year in the 2026 Open Doors Report.
There are many ways for Tar Heels to experience the Global Guarantee. UNC Global Affairs and the Study Abroad Office are available to help students find the right opportunities for their time at Carolina.
