US Sees Surge in Indian Students, Outpacing Australia, UK, and Canada

In a noteworthy trend, more Indian students are choosing to pursue higher education in the US than in other well-liked countries like Australia, the UK, and Canada. With a record 331,602 Indian students enrolling in the 2023–2024 academic year, India overtook China as the most popular country of origin for international students in the US, according to a recent survey by the International Educational Exchange. Compared to last year, this is a 23% rise.

Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University, credits this expansion to a sizable Indian diaspora, globalization, and the vast opportunities in the US. “The growth of the Indian youth and their enthusiasm for education and the opportunities in the United States are very much a pull,” Krislov stated. With 60% of the 330,000 Indian students in the US participating in graduate programs, STEM-related degrees are the most popular among Indian students. Indian students are a perfect fit for US universities because of their very high caliber, according to Raj Echambadi, president of Illinois Tech.

Because of its close ties to the Indian government, the US is often viewed as a more attractive option for Indian students. Over 2,000 Indian students are currently enrolled at Illinois Tech, having more than tripled in the last five years, according to Echambadi. With more than 2,000 students enrolled on campus, Pace University has also witnessed a notable increase in the number of Indian students. Experts anticipate that this trend will continue in the foreseeable future as the US continues to draw in Indian students. The US is well-positioned to continue being a top choice for Indian students looking to pursue higher education overseas because of its robust educational system, research possibilities and cultural linkages.