International student enrollment surges at Korean junior colleges

The number of international <a href="https://jiuniversity.com/25-career-tips-for-nursing-and-healthcare-students-college-recruiter/” title=”25 Career Tips for Nursing and Healthcare Students – College Recruiter”>students enrolled in junior colleges in Korea rose sixfold over the past eight years, according to government figures

The Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI) and the Ministry of Education released a report Sunday showing that the number of international students enrolled in junior colleges rose from 6,163 in 2017 to 37,260 in 2025. The figure also increased at general universities and industrial colleges, from 90,095 in 2017 to 153,477 in 2025

The data come as the number of international students in Korea topped 307,000 as of April this year

Between 2023 and 2025, international student enrollment rose 35.1 percent at general universities and industrial colleges, and 117.5 percent at junior colleges, according to the report

The composition of the international student population also shifted, with the gap between Chinese and Vietnamese students narrowing

In 2017, Chinese students accounted for 59.9 percent of international students at general universities and industrial colleges, but their share fell to 29.2 percent in 2025

During the same period, the share of Vietnamese students rose from 10.9 percent to 28.7 percent

The number of students from four other countries — Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Nepal and Myanmar — also increased

As international student enrollment rose, dropout rates declined

The dropout rate at general and industrial universitie fell from 6.85 percent in 2023 to 5.6 percent in 2025, while the rate at junior colleges dropped from 10.02 percent to 7.23 percent

The report attributed the decline in dropout rates to government efforts to tighten quality controls through the International Education Quality Assurance System (IEQAS), policies strengthening visa restrictions on universities and schools’ efforts to provide Korean-language education and support students’ adjustment to campus life

The Education Ministry evaluates the quality of Korean universities’ degree and language programs annually under the IEQAS, considering factors such as support for international students, dropout rates and illegal stay rates. 

Source: www.koreajoongangdaily.com