When a global pandemic shut down and isolated the world, education moved online. Since then, we have seen a jump in online education. Enrollment in online (or distance) education programs in the United States jumped from 36.3 percent in 2019 to 53.2 percent in 2023.[1] Many of these universities are offering part- and full-time online degrees, attracting international students. For the first time, people around the world can get a degree from an American university without leaving their home country.

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How It Works

Many universities are offering a fully online experience. A few of those universities include the following:

• Pennsylvania State University–World Campus
• University of Phoenix
• Purdue Global
• Southern New Hampshire University
• University of Maryland Global Campus

Each university has different requirements when it comes to international students, so applicants should always check whether they need to be in the United States to qualify. Students from non-English-speaking countries also have to pass an English proficiency exam, with the exact passing scores differing between universities.

Why It Works

People around the world have a desire to study at an American university. However, relocation costs, family needs, and time constraints can be difficult to navigate. Asynchronous schedules and once-weekly online classes make it possible for these students to participate from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection.

Making It Work

International students may face many obstacles when attending (even virtually) an American university. International Student offers many resources to help! These include English language schools, test prep for required entry exams such as the TOEFL and the SAT, and financial aid resources. Make sure to check specific university and program requirements as well.

Other resources include AI translation tools. Many international students speak English fluently, but the technical vocabulary of some courses can still slow them down. Lara Translate is an AI translator built by Translated that uses the surrounding context to deliver translations that reflect what a sentence actually means, well beyond word-for-word output. When translating text, Lara’s model flags ambiguous terms, explains its translation choices, and can explain what specific words mean in that sentence. Students can also upload full documents, like lecture notes or readings, and choose a translation style: Faithful for technical material, Fluid for general content, or Creative for more expressive writing.

MyEducator has a variety of AI tools that can also help. Our tools can create summaries and study guides, and an AI assistant is available to help answer questions and clarify content.

Whether you are a student in another country, an American in the military, or a world traveler, there are options to continue your education no matter where in the world life takes you.

[i] Bay, J. (2026, January 15). Distance education enrollment surges nationwide. Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/academic-life/2026/01/15/distance-education-enrollment-surges-nationwide