With 664 international students from 61 countries attending Western Illinois University on federal student visas, the group makes up 7 percent of the total student body, according to a West Central Reporter analysis of data obtained from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The data shows the number of F-1 visa holders attending colleges and universities in the state. In all, 9,441 students attend the university.
International students must obtain an F-1 visa to attend any academic institution in the United States, including a college or university. International students pay full tuition and must maintain a full course load.
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International students at Illinois universities
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Percent International Students |
| University of Illinois Springfield | 5,428 | 34% |
| University of Illinois | 46,951 | 26.7% |
| Chicago State University | 3,578 | 13.4% |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 30,539 | 11.8% |
| Governors State University | 5,819 | 10.9% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 17,292 | 9.7% |
| Eastern Illinois University | 7,415 | 9% |
| Northern Illinois University | 19,015 | 8.6% |
| Western Illinois University | 9,441 | 7% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | 14,142 | 4.2% |
| Northeastern Illinois University | 8,984 | 2.5% |
| Illinois State University | 21,039 | 2.5% |
| Total | 189,643 | 13.2% |
*Source: U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
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