Minnesota State Mankato 15th Nationally in International Student Enrollment in 2025 Open Doors Report
MSU has ranked in national top 15 for 8 consecutive years
Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State University, Mankato ranks 15th nationally in international student population among master’s institutions, according to the annual Open Doors Report and press release that was released Monday, Nov. 17 by the Institute of International Education.
The rankings, which reflect data from the 2024-25 academic year, list Minnesota State Mankato as having 1,837 international students during the fall 2024 semester – 121 more students than in the fall 2023 semester.
It is the fourth consecutive year that Minnesota State Mankato has topped more than 1,700 international students in the report and eighth consecutive year the University has ranked in the nation’s top 15 nationally.
“We are proud to see continued growth in our international student community and honored that students from around the world choose Minnesota State Mankato to pursue their educational goals,” said Minnesota State Mankato President Edward Inch. “Their presence enriches our campus and region, and we deeply appreciate the support of our broader community in making MSU a welcoming home for all students.”
The Open Doors international student population rankings are available online here by selecting “Master’s Colleges & Universities” in the drop-down menu on the web page graphic.
In the fall of 2024, Minnesota State Mankato had international students from 106 countries, with the most students coming from Ethiopia, Nepal and Japan. Lists of countries represented by international students at Minnesota State Mankato are available here: https://www.mnsu.edu/academics/global-education/centers-of-global-education/international-student-services/about-us/
Minnesota State Mankato’s international student population and their families have made a positive economic impact, contributing $52.5 million that supported 211 jobs in the local economy, according to a 2024 NAFSA report available here:
https://www.nafsa.org/isev/reports/district?year=2024&state=MN&district=01
Minnesota State Mankato has moved up steadily in the Open Doors Report rankings since 2012, when the University ranked 38th nationally in international student population. MSU cracked the top 20 in 2017 with a No. 16 ranking, and ranked 12th in 2018, 14th in 2019, 12th in both 2020 and 2021, 9th in 2022, 8th in 2023 and 15th in 2024.
Minnesota State Mankato’s international student population in recent Open Doors reports were 1,716 in the 2024 report; 1,711 in 2023; 1,751 in 2022; 1,121 in 2021; 1,554 in 2020; 1,583 in 2019; 1,614 in 2018; 1,374 in 2017; 1,281 in 2016; 1,228 in 2015; 1,044 in 2014; 885 in 2013; and 770 in 2012. (Note: Figures used in each report are from the preceding fall. For example, the November 2025 report reflects fall 2024 data.)
Global Education at Minnesota State Mankato comprises the Office of the Dean and the University’s three Centers in Global Education: The Center for Global Engagement, Kearney International Center and the Center for English Language Programs.
More information about global education at Minnesota State Mankato is available here: https://www.mnsu.edu/globaled/
Members of the media with additional questions about international student enrollment at Minnesota State Mankato may contact Director of Media Relations Dan Benson at daniel.benson@mnsu.edu to arrange for media interviews.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,721 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities.
