The University of Akron (UA) is one of the world’s leading higher education institutions for international students, according to 2025 rankings of excellence in academic reputation and a welcoming environment for students coming from outside the United States.
UA is now in the top 10% universities in the world for international students, according to World University Rankings for International Students shared on the website StudyAbroadAide.com. The University is ranked No. 785 in the most recent ratings report. It is the first time the University has appeared in the top 1,000 World University Rankings. Last year, UA was ranked in the top 16%.
International students represent about 4% of the UA student population and come from about 70 countries. India, China, Nepal, Nigeria and Bangladesh send the most students to the University.
“We are very proud to be recognized as one of the world’s top destinations for international students,” said Nicola Kille, UA’s executive director of international education administration. “The University’s jump in these rankings is a reflection of our drive to ensure students have academic success and find a home at UA for the time they’re here.”
Kille said international students are drawn to UA because of its academic reputation, proximity to major U.S. cities and hands-on learning opportunities.
Before they start classes, international students receive support from the University’s International Center to deal with challenges such as navigating the U.S. health care system, setting up their student accounts, opening a bank account and accessing a cell phone. After they’ve arrived on campus, international students attend a mandatory orientation to learn about the services available to them at UA.
The International Center also connects students with the English Language Institute (ELI), which offers programs to help individuals learn English and gives international students a chance to improve their conversational skills.
In an effort to support international students and help them feel at home on campus, the International Lounge, which is located on the second floor of the Jean Hower Taber Student Union, underwent a redesign during summer 2024. In addition to new seating, a video screen was added with the goal of featuring the flags and facts about each country represented at UA. A celebration of the renovated lounge was held in October.
“It’s important to us that our international students see themselves on campus,” Kille said. “They’re an incredibly vibrant segment of our student body and they contribute so much to the culture of our community.”
The World University Rankings for International Students are based on comprehensive criteria relevant to international students' decision-making, specifically the university's academic performance and being an international student-friendly campus. Details about the ranking process can be viewed at the SAA Ranking Methodology page.
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