Booming Chinese-student enrollment in United States colleges and universities contributed nearly $5 billion to the US economy in the 2011-12 academic year, an education expert estimated.

"The rise of China as a contributor to the economies of many US institutions mirrors the increasing influence of China in the global economy," wrote Rahul Choudaha, director of research and advisory services at World Education Services in an e-mail to China Daily.

World Education Services is a New York-based nonprofit that specializes in international education and research.