India Now A Leading Source Of International Students In US After 15 Years, Overtakes China

India has reclaimed its position as the top source of international students in the United States for the 2023-24 academic year, ending a 15-year gap. The country has surpassed China, registering a 23% year-on-year increase in student enrolments, with over 330,000 Indian students heading to the US, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024, released on Monday.This development follows a similar trend in the UK, where India became the largest source of non-EU international students in the 2022-23 academic year, surpassing China with a 39% increase, bringing the total to 170,000 students.The surge in Indian student numbers in the US is particularly evident in graduate programmes, which saw a 19% increase, reaching nearly 200,000 students. Moreover, participation in the US's Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme—a programme allowing international students to work in the US after completing their studies—also saw a sharp rise, up 41% to over 97,000 students, The Times Of India reported.The contribution of Indian students to the US economy in 2023 was substantial, generating $11.8 billion, as reported in the International Student Economic Impact 2023. Overall, international students contributed over $50 billion to the US economy in 2023, with Indian students accounting for around 20% of this total.Growth in STEM FieldsThe majority of Indian students (42.9%) are enrolling in mathematics and computer science programmes, followed by engineering (24.5%) and business/management (11.2%). A smaller but significant proportion (5.4%) are pursuing physical and life sciences. In line with global trends, 56% of all international students in the US are studying in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, with mathematics and computer science being the most popular disciplines, followed by engineering.Regional Growth and Economic ImpactThe overall number of international students in the US reached an all-time high in 2023-24, with over 1.1 million students enrolled, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. Together, India and China accounted for more than half (54%) of all international students in the US. However, while India’s numbers surged, China’s enrolment dropped by 4% to 270,000 students.Indian students are increasingly enrolling in public universities, with 64.5% of them choosing state institutions, while the remaining 35.5% are attending private universities. Among US states, California, New York, and Texas remain the top destinations for Indian students. However, states such as Missouri, Michigan, and Illinois saw particularly strong growth in student numbers, with Missouri experiencing a 35% increase, Michigan growing by 14%, and Illinois seeing a 13% rise.The Growing Influence of International StudentsScott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, highlighted the broader significance 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 basis for future business, trade, science, innovation, and government relations."Graduate-level enrolments saw an 8% increase in 2023-24, with more than half a million graduate students (502,291) in the US. Additionally, 242,782 students participated in the OPT programme, reflecting the growing trend of international students seeking practical work experience after completing their studies.