India leading source of international students in US for 2023-24 academic year: Report

India has surpassed China and regained its position as the leading source of international students in the United States for the 2023-24 academic year after a gap of 15 years, according to a recent Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024.

As per the report, India registered a remarkable 23% increase, with over 3.3 lakh students heading to the US for higher education.

The report highlights a significant growth in Indian students enrolling in graduate programs, with a 19% increase. Additionally, participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT) surged by 41%. The data also reveals that 64.5% of Indian students were enrolled in public institutions, while the remaining students attended private universities.

In terms of fields of study, 42.9% of Indian students chose mathematics and computer science, followed by 24.5% pursuing engineering, and 11.2% studying business or management. Only 5.4% of students were enrolled in physical and life sciences programs.

Why the US?

Higher education is increasingly seen as essential for securing a prosperous career and job, which has led many Indian students to seek opportunities abroad.

In the 2023-24 academic year, India experienced a 23% increase in student enrollment in the US, a trend also observed in the UK, where India became the top source of non-European Union students in 2022-23, with a 39% increase.

Several factors contribute to this growing preference for the US as a study destination. The US is home to some of the world’s top universities, which offer cutting-edge research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and international exposure.

While education in India is relatively affordable, this is not the case at top institutions like the IITs and IIMs, where the fees have risen considerably in recent years, and the chances of securing admission have become bleak. In contrast, the US offers favorable job opportunities not just for its national students but also for international students, making it an attractive destination for both academic and career growth.

Top US Universities Opted by Indian Students

The US is home to numerous world-renowned universities, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, Princeton University, Columbia University, and Yale University.

According to the data, 42.9% of Indian students pursue mathematics/computer science in the US, while 24.5% study engineering, and 11.2% focus on business/management.

Also, higher education is increasingly seen as essential for securing a prosperous career, which has led many Indian students to seek opportunities abroad. In the 2023-24 academic year, India experienced a 23% increase in student enrollment in the US, a trend also observed in the UK, where India became the top source of non-European Union students in 2022-23, with a 39% increase.

Several factors contribute to this growing preference for the US as a study destination. The US is home to some of the world’s top universities, which offer cutting-edge research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and international exposure. While education in India is relatively affordable, this is not the case at top institutions like the IITs and IIMs, where the fees have risen substantially in recent years, and the chances of securing admission have become even slimmer. In contrast, the US offers favorable job opportunities for its national students and international students, making it an attractive destination for both academic and career growth.