The Institute of International Education says there were 17,300 international students in Missouri during the 2012-2013 academic year. That was up nearly 8 percent from the previous year.

China accounted for more than 33 percent of international students at Missouri colleges and universities last year. About 13 percent were from India and roughly 8 percent came from Saudi Arabia.

The University of Missouri-Columbia had the highest number with nearly 2,500, while Washington University in St. Louis had more than 2,200 students from other countries.

The number of Missouri students studying abroad increased by almost 300, to more than 4,900.