For the first time since 2009, India has overtaken China as the largest source of international students in the United States. According to the latest Open Doors Report, more than 330,000 Indian students pursued higher education in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year, reflecting a remarkable 23% increase from the previous year.
This surge is primarily driven by a rise in graduatelevel enrollment, which now stands at nearly 197,000 students, which is a 19% increase from the previous year and making India the largest source country for international graduate students.
Additionally, the number of Indians enrolled in the Optional Practical Training program jumped by 41% reaching 97,556 students, providing them with vital work experience. Undergraduate students also saw a steady increase of 13% with more than 36,000 students now pursuing degrees in the US.
Why choose the US?
The US continues to be a top destination for Indian students, and for many, it is not just about academics. Shreyas P, a Master’s student in Mental Health Sciences at Boston University, said, “It’s not just about studying; it’s the academic experiences, networking opportunities, and the flexible fees and scholarships.”
For Prakhar Prajapati, the decision was influenced by the global reputation of the US in certain sectors. He shares, “Growing up, we have always heard about the healthcare system here in the Western countries. And the US is considered a giant in every sector, in which pharmaceutical is no exception. Talking about pharma, the US is home to big comp.es – Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Moderna, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Takeda to name a few. And on top of that all these comp.es are based in the Northeast of the US, nearer to Boston. Hence, choosing Northeastern Eastern University in Boston made complete sense.”
Popular fields of study
Indian students pursuing higher education in the U.S. are concentrated in specific fields. According to the Open Doors Report, 42.9% of Indian students are enrolled in computer science and mathematics as their majors, followed by engineering (24.5%) and business or management (11.2%). Just 5.4% of students were enrolled in programs related to the physical and biological sciences. 1.3% in the fine/applied arts and 2.7% in health professionals. In contrast, social sciences account for 0.2% and hum.ties for 0.4%.
Insights from Parents
The benefits of studying in the US extend beyond academics, and many parents recognise the value of these opportunities. Ir. Roy, who hails from Kolkata, is the mother of Rohit Roy, who is going to Pennsylv.a State for his PhD in Bio-Science Engineering said, “The U.S offers a lot of practical opportunities and good exposure to students.”
A Hyderabad student who wishes to remain anonymous is going to pursue a Master’s in Computer Science, mainly in Cyber Security, from Purdue University. Her mother, Rajshree Sharma, expressed that going to the US is her daughter’s dream. She believes that if her daughter receives an education from there, she will have a bright future
