Ghana rises to 14th globally for U.S. student enrollment

Ghana has moved up four places to 14th in the global ranking of countries sending undergraduates to the United States for the 2024/2025 academic year.

New figures from the Open Doors 2025 report show a 36.5 percent rise in Ghanaian enrolment at American institutions, an increase that far exceeds regional trends and the worldwide rate of growth.

The report, which tracks international student mobility, indicates that the total number of Ghanaian students in the U.S. has reached 12,825. This cements the country’s status as a critical hub for academic recruitment in West Africa.

While Nigeria remains the volume leader in Sub-Saharan Africa with 21,847 students, its growth rate stood at a more modest 9.1 percent compared to Ghana’s.

The data highlighted a broad-based demand for American education among Ghanaian nationals, distinct from the graduate-heavy skew seen in other markets.

The report noted that many Ghanaians were focused at undergraduate level, with families increasingly investing in four-year degree programmes. Enrollment expanded by 40.7 percent, while Graduate enrollment also saw a significant uptick, growing by 33.5 percent.

“This year’s report reaffirms Ghana’s position as one of the leading countries in Sub-Saharan Africa for students studying in the United States,” the report stated.

“Ghana remains a top sender of students to U.S. institutions, reflecting the citizens commitment to academic excellence and the value placed on international education,” it added.

Global shifts, market dynamics

Ghana’s ascent occurs against a backdrop of shifting global education flows. The total number of international students in the U.S. grew by 5 percent to 1,177,766, an all-time high.

However, the composition of this cohort is changing. India has secured the top spot with 363,019 students, marking a 9.5 percent increase, while China, formerly the dominant source of students, saw enrollments contract by 4.1 percent to 265,919.

In this context, Ghana’s 36.5 percent growth represents a significant outlier, surpassing the growth rates of major emerging markets such as Vietnam (15.9 percent) and Bangladesh (17.9 percent).

Only Nepal, with a 48.7 percent increase, recorded a higher growth rate among the top sending nations.

Strategic disciplines, institutional spread

The surge in enrollment is closely tied to specific academic disciplines that promise high employability and skills transfer.

The report highlighted that “Ghanaian students are excelling in a variety of fields, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), business, and the arts, contributing to the global exchange of knowledge and innovation”.

This aligns with broader U.S. trends where Math and Computer Science now account for 25.9 percent of all international enrollments, followed by Engineering at 18.4 percent.

The focus on these sectors is further reflected in the growing participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program allowing students to work in the U.S. post-graduation, which saw a 21.2 percent increase globally.

The distribution of Ghanaian talent is not limited to a specific tier of universities. The report notes that students are “enrolled in a wide range of U.S. institutions, from community colleges to Ivy League universities, showcasing the accessibility and variety of the U.S. higher education system.”

Funding and Investment

While the report does not detail specific expenditure in cedis, the financial commitment required for U.S. education remains substantial.

Globally, the primary source of funding for 51.5 percent of international students is “personal and family,” indicating that private capital continues to drive this mobility.

Only 19.3 percent of students globally are funded primarily by U.S. colleges or universities.

“Ghana is the second-highest sending country in Sub-Saharan Africa, behind Nigeria,”the report confirmed.

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