Two San Diego institutions of higher education ranked at the top nationally in study-abroad programs, according to a report released Tuesday.
The Institute of International Education ranked the University of San Diego first for undergraduate participation and San Diego State University fifth for total number participating students.
The institute’s report, which covers the 2016-17 academic year, noted that more than 76.5 percent of USD’s undergraduate students participated in some form of study abroad experience before graduating.
“This ranking is very exciting and is a testament to USD’s commitment to international opportunities as well as to the adventurous spirit of our students and faculty,” said Kira Espiritu, USD’s director of international studies abroad.
“USD’s dedication to international experiences for students and faculty is one of the distinguishing features of our university,” Espiritu added.
More than 3,000 SDSU students studied abroad in 2016-17, a number that exceeds 10 percent of the university’s undergraduate enrollment.
“At SDSU, we view studying abroad as a transformative opportunity and experience that can help our students deepen their understanding of themselves and also the world in which they live,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre.
Across the United States, study-abroad numbers grew by 2.3 percent from 2015-16 to 2016-17. The institute said a total of 332,727 Americans studied abroad to earn academic credit at their home institutions in the latest year.
