International student enrollment continues to climb at Colorado higher education institutions, according to data released by the Institute of International Education. The five percent increase suggests Colorado is gaining traction among students looking for a high-quality higher education experience abroad, according to a news release from StudyColorado, a state initiative to encourage and promote international student enrollment at 24 higher education institutions in the state.

“We’re pleased that so many students are finding opportunities at our many colleges and universities,” said Inta Morris, director of StudyColorado, in the release. “Each campus offers a unique experience for international students, whether they choose to study at a rural campus with only a few thousand students or a larger campus in Denver, Boulder or Fort Collins.”

During the 2015-2016 school year, Colorado colleges and universities enrolled 11,346 international students. Most of them are studying at the University of Colorado – Boulder, Colorado State University and the University of Denver.

Comprising 30 percent of the international student population, China sent the most international students to Colorado, followed by India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Kuwait.

Morris attributed the continued growth, in part, to the collaborative marketing and recruiting efforts of Colorado’s institutions.

“Many students specifically choose Colorado schools for their strong academic programs and inviting communities,” she said. “Not only do American students learn from sharing a classroom or a dorm room with someone from another country, they also gain an understanding of the cultural and economic diversity they will face in the global marketplace.”

The report also shows 5,350 U.S. students from Colorado institutions participated in an exchange program, about the same number as last year.

The announcement falls on the first day of International Education Week (Nov. 14-18), sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to sharing their culture and experiences with their American classmates, international students contributed more than $378 million to Colorado institutions and communities in fiscal year 2015-16.