In a significant shift, India has emerged as the leading country of origin for international students in the United States for the first time in 15 years. According to the Open Doors Report 2024, a record-breaking 3,31,602 Indian students are enrolled in U.S. institutions for the academic year 2023-24, surpassing China as the top sender of international students. This marks a remarkable achievement for India, reflecting both the growing demand for U.S. education and the strengthening educational ties between the two nations.

 India Leads with 3.3 Lakh Students

The latest figures show that the number of Indian students in the U.S. has surged by 23% compared to the previous academic year (2022-23), when the figure stood at 2,68,923. This increase of over 60,000 students is a testament to the rising popularity of U.S. universities among Indian students, who are increasingly opting for American institutions for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies.

India now accounts for 29% of the total international student population in the United States, with students spanning various fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), business, and the arts. The U.S. remains a preferred destination due to its world-class education system, a wide range of academic programs, and numerous opportunities for research and professional growth.

The Shift from China to India

For more than a decade, China has been the leading source of international students in the U.S. However, for the 2023-24 academic year, India has overtaken China, which saw a slight decline in the number of students, dropping to 2,77,398. India’s rise is partly attributed to a combination of factors, including political and economic dynamics, greater access to information, and an expanding middle class in India that can afford to send their children abroad for higher education.

In the past two years, India’s contribution to the U.S. student population has grown by an impressive 50%, underlining a surge in interest in American universities. This shift also reflects changing geopolitical dynamics, with stronger educational and cultural ties between India and the U.S. contributing to increased student mobility.

Graduate Students Lead the Growth

A notable trend in the 2023-24 academic year is the significant increase in the number of Indian graduate students, who now number 1,96,567—a 19% increase over the previous year. Indian students have been historically strong in graduate programs, especially in STEM fields, and this growth is expected to continue as India’s educational system increasingly focuses on research and innovation.

Undergraduate enrollments from India also saw a rise of 13%, with 36,053 Indian students joining U.S. universities in pursuit of bachelor’s degrees. However, the number of non-degree students—those pursuing shorter-term, certificate, or language courses—declined by 28%, reflecting changing trends in international education.

Other Top Sending Countries

The Open Doors Report also reveals the top five source countries for international students in the U.S. for 2023-24:

1. India – 3,31,602 students
2. China – 2,77,398 students
3. South Korea – 43,149 students
4. Canada – 28,998 students
5. Taiwan – 23,157 students

While India’s surge has been particularly notable, other countries, such as South Korea, Canada, and Taiwan, continue to be significant contributors to the international student population in the U.S., reflecting the global nature of higher education.

More U.S. Students in India

The Open Doors Report also highlighted an encouraging trend: the number of American students studying in India has increased dramatically. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the number of U.S. students in India rose by 300%, from 300 to 1,300. This shift indicates that more U.S. students are recognizing the educational opportunities available in India, particularly in fields like business, technology, and cultural studies.

India’s Role as a Leading Source of Graduate Students

India has long been a major supplier of graduate students to the U.S., and the trend shows no sign of slowing. With many students from India pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in fields such as engineering, computer science, and business administration, India remains the largest sender of graduate-level students for the second consecutive year. This is particularly significant because graduate programs often generate substantial revenue for U.S. universities.

U.S.-India Educational Collaboration

The growing number of Indian students in the U.S. is also a reflection of the deepening educational and cultural ties between the two countries. During the release of the Open Doors Report, U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti spoke of the increasing collaboration between U.S. and Indian institutions. He emphasized that universities in the U.S. are not only welcoming Indian students but also offering scholarships and financial aid, which makes U.S. education more accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.

This collaboration is further exemplified by initiatives like the launch of the Women in STEMM Fellowship by Johns Hopkins University. This partnership between the U.S. State Department and the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins aims to empower early-career women scientists from India, providing them with the skills, mentorship, and research opportunities necessary to become leaders in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) fields.