According to recent reports, India is set to once again dominate as the leading country sending students to the United States for higher education. Data released by US Consulate officials indicates a substantial enrollment of 1,057,188 international students in US higher education institutions during the academic year 2022–23; most of these students were participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Of this significant number, a noteworthy 268,923 students hail from India, highlighting the country’s strong presence in American universities. Further, these projections suggest that this figure is likely to climb even higher in the forthcoming academic years, demonstrating India’s growing influence in international education.
While Chinese students comprised 35% of the international student body in 2022, the number of Indian students is anticipated to surge, signaling a shift in enrollment demographics. This trend highlights India’s increasing recognition as a key contributor to the global student community in the US.
Notably, a staggering 55% of international students showed a preference for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses during the 2022–23 academic year. The likeliness of STEM fields lies in the opportunity for a generous 36-month stay-back option in the US post-graduation, making it a highly sought-after path for aspiring professionals. Following closely behind are Math and Computer Science (23%), Engineering (19%), Business and Management (15%), and Social Sciences (8%).
This surge in international enrollment reflects a broader trend of growth in recent years. In the preceding academic year (2021–22), the consulate recorded an impressive inflow of 948,000 international students entering the US for higher education. This upward trajectory is further evidenced by the Department of State’s issuance of over 581,000 student visas, marking the highest issuance rate since 2016.
Looking ahead, emerging fields such as commercial space exploration, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and green hydrogen are expected to gain prominence among prospective students.
