How Wake Forest Ranks Fourth Nationally for Study Abroad Participation

The Institute of International Education, a non-profit organisation founded in 1919, is the principal administrator of the Fulbright Program and publishes the annual Open Doors report, a world benchmark for student mobility and global educational exchange. The report, released on 17 November, highlighted national trends, including a 5% increase in the number of international students studying in the United States, now totalling 1.2 million.

The report showed that Wake Forest study abroad participation is among the highest in the nation, with 85.7% of undergraduates abroad earning credit in 2023-2024. This achievement places Wake Forest fourth in the study abroad ranking among U.S. doctoral universities, emphasising the institution's leadership in global student mobility at Wake Forest and demonstrating the persistent benefits of international education at Wake Forest.

Wake Forest officials noted that reaching this achievement means that Wake Forest undergraduates appreciate world views, along with the real value that Wake Forest adds to international education. Moreover, a five per cent increase in the number of international students who came into the United States in 2024-2025 to 1.2 million speaks volumes about the rapid branding phenomenon called 'international education exchange'.

Released during International Education Week, Global Gauge champions global engagement at Wake Forest while telling the story of the classroom learning, research, and innovations that span the distance between London, Morocco, and the Amazon. University leaders see this Global Gauge as an opportunity for Wake Forest to put its full weight behind this initiative and to explain that Wake Forest is doing international learning under the Global Gauge and, in doing so, brings the world to Wake Forest and helps take Wake Forest's mission into the world at the same time.

International Education Week, a promising event held from November 17 to 21, hosted a Night Market featuring international cuisine, music, crafts, and activities. A number of visiting scholars presented their research during this symposium, including two studies explicitly linking international engagement and learning from a global perspective. If really committed to internationalisation, Wake Forest shall, in fact, rank fourth in the category of students abroad. All the scenes with International Engagement were visible: the beautiful runway indeed proved the excellent study abroad initiative that has been put forward by the Wake Forest academicians.

An outstanding impact from credit translation floated him into an inconspicuous consideration by his percentage of children enrolled and now on the roll in 2023-24 from WFU. Global Gauge continues to enhance Wake Forest's reputation because it holds together a high rate of outbound undergraduate study in geography, credit-bearing programs operated towards students in other regions of the earth, and other initiatives. Such activities are undertaken for the sake of the same interest of an event and the shining hope of achievement nationally for MGP. By these efforts, we are pleased to pass on international endeavours, making Wake Forest a benchmark for its high achievement in international university governance through all its efforts in studying abroad in the USA.

Editor’s Note:

The Institute of International Education's Open Doors report, released on November 17, again reaffirmed Wake Forest University's sound standing in global education. With 85.7% of its undergraduates studying abroad for credit during the academic year 2023–24, Wake Forest is fourth among U.S. doctoral universities with clear leadership in student mobility and international education. This achievement reflects both the university's commitment to creating opportunities and the willingness of students to have an international perspective. The launch of Global Gauge during International Education Week was another indication of Wake Forest's global commitment. It reflected how the university brings the world to its campus and takes its mission abroad by presenting stories, teaching, research, and partnerships among regions such as London, Morocco, and the Amazon. Cultural exchanges and academic collaborations were emphasised in the week's programs that included a Night Market and a symposium for invited scholars. These efforts together place Wake Forest as the standard in international university governance. High rates of student participation in study abroad programs, support for credit-bearing opportunities abroad, and promotion of global partnership opportunities contribute to the university's continuing legacy of high respect in higher education and internationalisation.

As per Skoobuzz, Wake Forest’s strong study abroad participation and global initiatives highlight its enduring role as a leader in international education. By combining academic credit abroad with cultural exchange and global partnerships, the university continues to set a benchmark for excellence in higher education and internationalization.

FAQs

1. How many Wake Forest students go abroad?

The Open Doors 2025 report showed that 85.7% of Wake Forest undergraduates studied abroad and received academic credit during the 2023–24 academic year and summer of 2024. This placed Wake Forest fourth nationally among doctoral universities for study abroad participation.

2. Why is Wake Forest ranked highly for study abroad?

Wake Forest is ranked highly because of its long-standing institutional commitment to global learning. The university designs programmes that integrate study abroad into the undergraduate experience, ensuring students gain a global perspective while earning credit. Officials explained that the high participation reflects both student demand for international experiences and the university’s dedication to creating accessible opportunities.

3. What is the IIE Open Doors report?

The Open Doors report, published annually by the Institute of International Education (IIE) since 1948, is considered the world benchmark for international educational exchange. It provides comprehensive data on international student enrolment in the U.S. and U.S. students studying abroad for credit. The 2025 edition reported that U.S. colleges hosted 1.2 million international students, a 5% increase from the previous year.

4. Does Wake Forest give credit for study abroad?

Yes. Wake Forest ensures that students earn academic credit for study abroad programmes, which is why its participation rate is so high. The university requires students to take a full course load abroad, with credits pre‑approved by academic advisers and the registrar. This policy guarantees that study abroad contributes directly to degree progress.

5. How does Wake Forest support its global programs?

Wake Forest supports global programmes through its Centre for Global Programs and Studies (GPS), which manages study abroad advising, scholarships, and partnerships. The university also promotes international engagement through initiatives like Global Gauge magazine, launched during International Education Week, which highlights teaching, research, and collaborations worldwide. GPS also offers services such as passport assistance, cross‑cultural engagement programmes, and community‑based global learning.