What Does Global Expansion of Higher Education Mean for the Us?

51 Pages Posted: 19 May 2009 Last revised: 20 Nov 2022

See all articles by Richard B. Freeman

Richard B. Freeman

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); University of Edinburgh - School of Social and Political Studies; Harvard University; London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP)

Date Written: May 2009

Abstract

This study documents the rapid spread of higher education around the world and the consequent reduced share of the US in the world's university students and graduates. It shows that the proportion of young persons who go to college has risen in many advanced countries to exceed that in the US while human capital leapfrogging in the huge populous developing countries has produced massive increases in their university educated work forces. One result of the expansion of higher education overseas is that the US has come to rely extensively on the immigration of highly educated persons to maintain a lead position in science and technology. International students make up roughly half of university graduate immigrants to the US, which makes policies toward those students a key determinant in the country's success in attracting immigrant talent.

Suggested Citation

Freeman, Richard B., What Does Global Expansion of Higher Education Mean for the Us? (May 2009). NBER Working Paper No. w14962, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1405970

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