During the 2022–23 academic year, the flow of international students to US universities and colleges experienced remarkable growth, prominently led by India as a primary source. The 2023 Open Doors report highlights India’s significant contribution, sending over 260,000 students to the US. Projections suggest India will notably contribute around $70 billion to global education by 2025.
In 2023 alone, over 850,000 Indian students pursued higher education abroad, expected to collectively spend approximately $34 billion in sought-after destinations like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
This surge in international student numbers, particularly from India, marks a noteworthy trend, with Indian nationals accounting for over 10 percent of global visa applicants. The allure of quality education in STEM fields significantly fuels this growth, offering promising career prospects in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and engineering.
Financial aid and scholarships stand as major attractions for Indian students pursuing education in the US, with specific states such as Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka contributing a higher number of students.
The 2023 Open Doors Reports underscore the increasing impact of international students, contributing around 6 percent to the higher education sector in the US and adding a substantial $38 billion to the American economy. Graduate programmes experienced the most significant surge, with 467,027 students pursuing master’s, doctorate, and professional degrees—a 21 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, undergraduate enrollment witnessed 1 percent growth, marking an upward trend after five years. Additionally, the report emphasised that in the previous year, 198,793 international students participated in Optional Practical Training, which enabled them to transition into full-time employment with the proper visas.
