Foreign enrollment increases

UCLA is ranked sixth-highest in international student enrollment for the 2010-2011 academic year and third among public universities, according to a recent report.

USC ranked first, for the tenth year in the row.

The Open Doors report, published by the Institute of International Education in coordination with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is an annual survey of international students in the United States.

These rankings can be beneficial for UCLA’s financial situation because they encourage international students to enroll despite high tuition costs, said Mitchell Chang, a professor of education.

UCLA does not offer financial aid or scholarships for international students, and each international undergraduate student at UCLA must prove sufficient income so as to afford a $55,000 yearly price tag for UCLA, according to UCLA undergraduate admissions.

UCLA has become a well-recognized brand abroad, not only for its sports but also for its reputation as a leading research institution, Chang said.

Universities are respected because of their research and publications, rather than their teaching skills, said Val Rust, a professor of education.

“It is on the basis of research productivity that rankings such as these are judged,” Rust said.

The report also cited the most popular fields of study, including business and management, engineering and mathematics, among international students in the 2009-2010 academic year.