India has reclaimed its position as the largest source of international students in the United States for the 2023-24 academic year, surpassing China for the first time in 15 years. According to the *Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024* released on Monday, India saw a 23% increase in student enrolments, with over 330,000 Indian students now studying in the US.
This achievement follows a similar trend in the UK, where India became the leading source of non-EU international students in the 2022-23 academic year, surpassing China with a 39% year-on-year increase. The growth in Indian students in the US is particularly strong in graduate programmes, which saw a 19% rise to nearly 200,000 students, and in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which grew by 41%, reaching over 97,000 participants.
Indian Students Contribute Significantly to US Economy
Indian students’ contribution to the US economy in 2023 was substantial, with an estimated $11.8 billion in economic impact, according to the *International Student Economic Impact 2023* report. The United States as a whole benefited from a record $50 billion in revenue from international students in 2023, with Indian students accounting for 20% of that total.
Of the Indian students in the US, 64.5% enrolled in public institutions, while the remaining 35.5% attended private universities.
US Sees Record Number of International Students, India and China Dominate
The US hosted over 1.1 million international students during the 2023-24 academic year, a 7% increase from the previous year. India and China together accounted for more than half (54%) of all international students in the country. While India’s enrolments surged, China saw a decline of 4%, with 270,000 students in the US.
Indian Students Favor STEM Fields, Contribute to Growing Demand for Graduate Education
Indian students have shown a clear preference for STEM fields. According to the latest report, 42.9% of Indian students are enrolled in mathematics or computer science programs, 24.5% in engineering, and 11.2% in business and management. A smaller but notable 5.4% are pursuing physical and life sciences.
In total, 56% of all international students in the US are enrolled in STEM fields, with mathematics and computer science (25%) and engineering (19%) being the most popular disciplines. Business and management (14%) and physical/life sciences (8%) follow closely.
Top US Destinations for Indian Students: California, New York, Texas, and More
International students are distributed across 44 US states, with the highest concentrations in California, New York, and Texas. For Indian students specifically, Texas, New York, California, Massachusetts, and Illinois were the top destinations. Notably, states like Missouri (+35%), Michigan (+14%), and Illinois (+13%) recorded the highest growth in international student enrolments.
Sub-Saharan Africa and Other Regions Show Strong Growth
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest growth rate among all regions, with a 13% increase for the second consecutive year. Other countries also saw record numbers of students heading to the US, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain.
US State Department Highlights Broader Impact of International Education
Scott Weinhold, senior bureau official for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, emphasized the broader implications of international education. “The experience of studying in the United States not only shapes the lives of individuals but also the future of our interconnected world,” he said. “The ties formed between the US and international students today are the foundation for future business, trade, science, innovation, and government relations.”
Surge in Graduate and OPT Enrollment
Graduate student enrolment in the US reached over half a million (502,291) in 2023-24, marking an 8% increase. Additionally, the number of students participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students to gain work experience in the US after completing their studies, surged by 22%, reaching a total of 242,782.
This growth reflects a continued interest in practical, real-world experience among international students, particularly in the context of strong demand for skilled workers in the US.
