Now more than ever, international students are concerned about the location of their schools. Most importantly, they want to live in a safe, friendly city. Our list of America’s friendliest states for international students is based on how smart, safe, and welcoming each state is toward diverse groups of people. Each state has its own identity, character, and values.

 

#1: Massachusetts.

Massachusetts tops our list as the friendliest state for international students. Home to the oldest high schools and universities in the country, including prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT, Massachusetts plays an important role in American education. Furthermore, Massachusetts takes a liberal, welcoming approach to foreign student enrollment and immigration policy. Attracting a diverse and talented workforce to its thriving center of business. Its dynamic city of Boston offers rich cultural attractions, diversity, and a slightly smaller more European feel compared to other major metropolitan areas in the United States.

 

Best Known For Harvard University, Boston, Colonialism, President John F. Kennedy

• Average IQ: 104.3 (1^st)
• Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
• High School Ranking (US News): #5*

 

Featured Schools:

• Cambridge School of Weston
• Arlington Catholic High School
• Harvard University

 

#2: Vermont.

Famous for its natural beauty and high-quality education, Vermont is an obvious choice for America’s second friendliest destination for international students. Vermont is consistently ranked as one of the safest and healthiest places to live in the United States with access to world-class health professionals, a range of outdoor activities, and a thriving local, organic foods movement. Vermont also has the lowest ratio of teachers to pupils in the country.

 

Best Known For: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Maple Syrup, Fall Foliage, Skiing

• Average IQ: 103.8 (4^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
• High School Ranking (US News): #12

 

Featured Schools:

• Lyndon Institute
• University of Vermont

 

#3: New York.

Home to the country’s largest city, New York City, and some of the biggest companies including JP Morgan and Verizon, New York is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. With a long history as a central station for immigration to the United States, New York is the most culturally diverse location in the United States. While New York City is known as a bustling, cultural hub, the rest of the state offers inspirational natural beauty, recreation, and tourism.

 

Best Known For New York City, Statue of Liberty, Broadway, New York Stock Exchange, Pizza

• Average IQ: 100.7 (26^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
• High School Ranking (US News): #10

 

Featured Schools:

• Oakwood Friends School
• Buffalo Seminary Academy
• State University of New York

 

#4: California.

No doubt, thousands of international students want to live the California Dream. Sunshine, beaches, a relaxed lifestyle, and friendly people are some of the characteristics that best represent California. Most of California welcomes foreigners and diversity, setting up many “sanctuary cities” throughout the state to protect immigrants. When it comes to safety, three Bay Area cities rank among the top 10 safest, led by Sunnyvale at number one.

In general, cities in the Bay Area have low violent crime rates, low rates of drug use, and relatively low rates of deadly traffic accidents. The sprawling city of San Jose is “as much defined by its suburban neighborhoods and large tech campuses as it is by the high-rises in its business district,” said a local expert. Young residents and recent graduates of nearby Stanford and UC Berkeley have no trouble finding jobs in the area, which touts Cisco, eBay, and IBM as its largest private-sector employers.

 

Best Known For Beaches, Surfing, Hollywood Movies, San Francisco, Los Angeles

• Average IQ: 95.5 (48^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
• High School Ranking (US News): #3

 

Featured Schools:

• San Domenico School
• Villanova Prep School
• Santa Barbara City College
• University of California-Berkeley

 

#5: Washington.

Known as the “Evergreen” state, Washington features a dramatic scenic landscape of mountains, forests, and lakes. For city-lovers, Washington is also home to Seattle, a favorite among international students for its friendly people, the cutting-edge industry with companies like Starbucks, Amazon, and Boeing, and vibrant music scene producing acts like Kurt Cobain and Macklemore. Seattle, Washington also has more than 100,000 immigrants, representing more than 17 percent of the city’s population.

 

Best Known For Seattle, Grunge Music, Mountains, Rain

• Average IQ: 101.9 (16^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
• High School Ranking (US News): #19

 

Featured Schools:

• Northwest School
• Green River College
• Central Washington University

 

#6: Minnesota.

The land of 10,000 lakes and 31 of the top publicly traded companies. In 2007, Minnesota led the country in the highest average ACT score. The Twin Cities have “big-city amenities like museums and sports stadiums, but also have an approachable, Midwestern feel,” according to a local expert. Residents are accustomed to the area’s changing seasons, participating in ice fishing and cross-country skiing in the winter and music festivals and baseball games in the spring and summer. Jobs are available in science-focused fields at companies like Xcel Energy and Medtronic as well as retail corporations like Best Buy and Target.

 

Best Known For Snow, Lakes

• Average IQ: 103.7 (5^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
• High School Ranking (US News): #34

 

Featured Schools:

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

 

#7: Colorado.

The third-largest concentration of professional, scientific, and management workers. US Air Force Academy. While Denver sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, it’s not considered a mountain town since it takes at least an hour to get to the Rockies for snowboarding and ski activities, a local expert explained. At 5,279 feet, the Mile High City lives up to its name in more ways than one: In 2012, Colorado legalized recreational marijuana, paving the way for a flourishing and lucrative cannabis industry.

 

Best Known For Rocky Mountains, Marijuana, Skiing

•  Average IQ: 101.6 (20^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 3%
• High School Ranking (US News): #21

 

Featured Schools:

• University of Colorado-Boulder
• Colorado State University

 

#8: Connecticut.

Located in the Northeast U.S. in between New York and Massachusetts, Connecticut is known for its prosperity and high quality of living standards. Home to world-class universities like Yale and Trinity, Connecticut is the first choice among many international students who want a high-quality education with proximity to major cities like New York City, Boston, and Hartford.

 

Best Known For Yale University, Wealth, Quality of Life

• Average IQ: 103.1 (9^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
• High School Ranking (US News): #2

 

Featured Schools:

• Woodstock Academy
• Cheshire Academy
• Yale University

 

#9: Oregon.

Oregon is a safe, friendly place to learn. Located on the Pacific Ocean, Oregon features clean air, beautiful forests, and scenic beaches making it one of the friendliest destinations for international students. Adventure-seekers and nature-lovers choose Oregon for its environmentally conscious mission and liberal city of Portland, where you can find microbreweries, indie music, and charming independent coffee shops. Most of Oregon’s industry relies on its abundance of natural resources, but Oregon is also home to internationally recognized companies like Nike, Intel, and Bob’s Red Mill.

 

Best Known For: Farms, Fishing, Biking, Portland, Rugged Coastline

• Average IQ: 101.2 (23^rd)
• Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
• High School Ranking (US News): #25

 

Featured Schools:

• Oregon State University
• University of Oregon

 

#10: Illinois.

Illinois closes out our list of America’s friendliest states for international students. Illinois offers international students a location in the heartland of America, making it a major transportation hub. Best known for Chicago, the third most populous city in the United States, Illinois is a state full of life and history. Home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities like the University of Chicago, as well as architectural achievements and fierce sports teams, Chicago plays an integral role in global economics, business, and art.

 

Best Known For: Chicago, Deep-Dish Pizza, Theater

• Average IQ: 100.7 (26^th)
• Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
• High School Ranking (US News): #18

 

Featured Schools:

• North Central College
• University of Chicago

 

*Denotes percent of high schools with US News & World Report gold and silver medals. The gold and silver awards reflect which schools are most successfully preparing students for college, based on students participating in and achieving passing scores on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. For a school to be eligible for a gold or silver medal, its students must also do well on the appropriate statewide tests and graduate at high rates, as explained in the rankings methodology.