Many students assume that if they want to study abroad, any school will do—just sign up for a program when the time comes. In reality, a school's actual commitment to study abroad varies enormously, and that variation significantly affects how easy or difficult the experience will be, how your credits transfer back, and whether you can afford to go at all.
Today, School Match Pro will show you how to evaluate a school's real study abroad infrastructure before you enroll, using data rather than marketing claims.
Let's start with a key data source: the Institute of International Education's Open Doors Report, the longstanding annual survey tracking U.S. study abroad participation. [1] This report doesn't just track how many students study abroad overall—it tracks participation rates by institution type, which reveals something many families don't expect.
Here's the interesting pattern the data shows: baccalaureate colleges—smaller, teaching-focused institutions—tend to have the highest study abroad participation rates relative to their size, while large research and doctoral universities, despite sending the greatest total number of students abroad in raw numbers, often have comparatively lower participation rates as a percentage of their student body. [1] Open Doors calculates this participation rate by dividing the number of students who study abroad by the total number of undergraduate completions, which gives you a measure of actual intensity of participation rather than just total volume. In other words, a massive university might send thousands of students abroad each year and still have a smaller percentage of its total student body participating than a much smaller college with a deeply embedded study abroad culture.
Why does this matter for your decision? Because marketing materials from large universities often emphasize their total numbers—"we sent 3,000 students abroad last year"—without mentioning that this might represent a relatively small fraction of their overall student population. A smaller school that sends fewer total students abroad in absolute numbers might actually have a much higher percentage of students participating, suggesting a more deeply integrated study abroad culture and infrastructure.
How do you actually evaluate a school's study abroad commitment? Look up the school's specific participation rate, not just its total numbers, using Open Doors data or by asking the study abroad office directly for their percentage figures. Research the breadth of partner programs—does the school have established relationships with programs in the specific countries or regions you're interested in, or will you need to find and vet an outside program on your own? Ask specifically how credits earned abroad transfer back toward your degree requirements, since this process can be smooth at some schools and genuinely complicated at others, sometimes resulting in credits that don't count toward graduation requirements.
Funding and scholarship support for study abroad is another critical factor to research directly. Some schools have dedicated study abroad scholarships or allow your existing financial aid package to apply directly to approved programs; others offer minimal financial support, making study abroad financially out of reach for students who can't absorb significant additional costs. Ask the study abroad office directly about available funding before you assume it's accessible to you.
Also consider whether your specific intended major has established study abroad pathways. Some majors, particularly those with rigid sequential course requirements, can make studying abroad logistically difficult regardless of the school's overall study abroad culture. Ask your specific department, not just the study abroad office, about pathways that work for your major.
Choosing a school with genuine study abroad infrastructure—not just marketing claims—can make the difference between an enriching, logistically smooth experience and a frustrating one.
At School Match Pro, we help you research the real study abroad infrastructure at schools you're considering. Whether you're interested in nursing, criminal justice, business, or earning an associate degree, we'll connect you with programs that support your global education goals. Click HERE to start your search.
[1] Institute of International Education — Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange
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