QUICK ANSWER
Korean families often hear that Chinese applicants are a growing threat in U.S. art school admissions. The national data points the other way. In Open Doors 2025, both groups were shrinking at undergraduate level: Chinese undergraduates fell 10.2% and Korean undergraduates fell 6.3%.
We know of no art school that publishes a quota by country. Admissions decisions are made on individual applications, with the portfolio at the centre. The useful question is not how many Chinese students apply, but whether your portfolio is clearly your own.
BY THE NUMBERS · 1
What the National Data Shows
| China | South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank among places of origin | 2nd | 3rd |
| Total students in the U.S. | 265,919 | 42,293 |
| Undergraduates | 29.6% of China’s total | 16,650 (39.4% of Korea’s total) |
| Undergraduate change | −10.2% | −6.3% |
Open Doors 2025 (Institute of International Education), all fields of study, 2024–25 academic year.
Open Doors does not break these numbers down by art school or by major, so they cannot show competition at a particular school. What they do show is that the idea of a fast-growing Chinese applicant pool is out of date at national level.
BY THE NUMBERS · 2
Why the Myth Persists
Older articles written when Chinese enrolment was still rising remain online. China and Korea are also among the largest places of origin for international students, so both groups are visible in the same programmes. Being visible together is not the same as competing for a fixed number of places.
WHAT ACTUALLY DECIDES AN APPLICATION
Schools publish what they look for, and none of it is nationality. RISD asks for work with a point of view and some direct observation. Parsons asks for 8–12 pieces and two essays about the issue you care about and why its programme fits. Our page on Korean and Chinese portfolios looks at style, and why copying samples is risky covers originality rules.
BY THE NUMBERS · 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Chinese and Korean applicants compete for the same places?
We know of no art school that publishes country quotas. Applications are judged individually, mainly on the portfolio.
Is the number of Chinese students in the U.S. rising?
No. Open Doors 2025 reported 265,919 Chinese students, with undergraduates down 10.2%.
How many Korean students study in the U.S.?
Open Doors 2025 reported 42,293, with 16,650 undergraduates, down 6.3%.
Does Open Doors show numbers for art schools?
No. Its country figures cover all fields, so they cannot show competition at a single school or major.
What should a Korean applicant focus on instead?
A portfolio that is clearly your own, meets each school’s written rules, and shows a point of view.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students at 95 schools. We focus on what schools say they assess: the student’s own work and ideas. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
National figures from Open Doors 2025 (Institute of International Education); school requirements from RISD and Parsons admissions pages. Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Korean vs Chinese Portfolios · Copying Sample Portfolios · 8 Admissions Mistakes · A Strong Portfolio · Royal Blue Results