After a four-year period of flat growth, the total number of foreign students attending U.S. colleges and universities increased 5.1 percent this year to a total of 481,280 according to "Open Doors 1997/98," which is published by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Business administration and engineering remain the top two most popular fields of study for foreign students with growth in business administration enrollments up 4.7 percent. Computer science majors grew 20 percent and arts majors grew 14.7 percent in the past year, showing the diversity of fields in which foreign students are showing strong interest.

According to Allan E. Goodman, IIE president, "The increase in foreign student enrollment is the result of many factors, including stronger efforts by many U.S. universities and colleges to internationalize their campuses." Although the recent upswing is good news, Goodman observed that the U.S. cannot take for granted the flow of students, given the increasing competition from other host countries.

Among the most impressive foreign student enrollment increases are those shown by U.S. community colleges, where international enrollments have jumped by 20 percent over the past four years, to a new high of 73,443.

Report highlights are available on IIE's Web site: http://www.iie.org/opendoors/.

IIE is the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the U.S. IIE has conducted the annual statistical survey of the foreign students in the U.S. since 1949. A grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Information Agency supports the research and report. The census is based on a survey of 2,571 accredited U.S. institutions, with a 94.3 percent response.

"Open Doors 1997/98" is available from IIE Books for $42.95 plus $6 shipping and handling. The new book provides over 200 pages of data and graphics highlighting key facts and trends in international student and faculty flows. It includes a bound-in disk with substantial additional statistical tables. Order from IIE Books at 800-445-0443 toll free in the U.S. or by Email from iiebooks@pmds.com.   The new edition also may be purchased at the IIE Online Bookstore: http://www.iiebooks.org or from Amazon.com.