For the first time since 2009, India has been identified as the top sender of international students to the U.S., composing 29% of the total international student population, says a report by Open Doors on International Educational Exchange. During the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 330,000 Indian students were enrolled in higher education institutions in the U.S.-a remarkable 23% increase over the previous year.
The surge in Indian students was primarily driven by a significant rise in graduate program enrollments, which increased by 19% to reach 196,567 students. Additionally, participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs after graduation saw a remarkable 41% jump, bringing the total number of Indian students involved in OPT to 97,556.
U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti said he was thrilled with this achievement, adding, “With over 330,000 students, India has sent more students to the U.S. than any other country this year. This is International Education Week. Let’s celebrate the power of education to build tomorrow’s leaders and deepen our bonds.”
China, once the leading source of international students, fell to second place and its enrolment declined by 4 percent with a total of 277,398 students. China retained its lead in undergraduate and non-degree programs in spite of such a fall.
In all, the United States hosted a record 1.1 million international students in the 2023-2024 academic year-a 7% increase over the previous year. According to the Open Doors Report, published by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education, the number of graduate programs and OPT programs also reached a record-high level, with more than 500,000 and 242,000 students, respectively.
Equally interesting is the fact that the number of American students studying in India has also increased significantly from 336 in 2021-22 to 1,355 in 2022-23-an increase of as much as 303.3%.
Most international students in the U.S. pursue a diverse range of majors, 56% enrolling in STEM disciplines. Math and computer science continue to be the most prevalent fields of study among international students, hosting 25%, whereas engineering hosts 19%. Other popular fields include business and management at 14%, physical and life sciences at 8%, social sciences at 8%, and fine and applied arts at 5%.
