Abstract
In science and engineering programs in the U.S. in 2000 China, South Korea and India were top countries of origin sending students. More than half of the students intend to stay in the U.S. Immigration, education and occupational choices all have human capital aspects that require investments. A framework is proposed where expected incomes in both countries of origin and destination are calculated and used to reflect the substitution effect and the wealth effects of the expected incomes of two countries. It appears that nonpecuniary effects of education encourages immigration as much as pecuniary effects in the immigration decision equation. After the pecuniary effects are accounted for there is some negative nonpecuniary tendency of the professional scientists to immigrate to the U.S.
