India is sending more students to study in America than China for the first time since 2009. According to the Open Doors Report, India sent 331,602 international students to study in the US in 2023–2024—a 23% increase over the previous year.
India’s enrollments increased mostly at the graduate level, with 196,567 students enrolled, representing a 19% rise. For Optional Practical Training (OPT) academic levels, 97,556 students enrolled, representing a 41% increase.
Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO, University Living says, “India’s remarkable growth as the top source of international students to the U.S., with a 23% increase to over 331,600 students, reflects the global aspirations and forward-thinking mindset of Indian youth.
The 41% surge in OPT enrolments highlights the alignment of Indian talent with high-impact industries like STEM, where their contributions are driving innovation and progress.
Similarly, the 19% rise in graduate enrolments, with nearly 197,000 students pursuing advanced degrees, underscores India’s leadership in higher education and research excellence. This growth, however, places the spotlight on the preparedness of the U.S. international education ecosystem to accommodate the influx of talent.”
China was the second leading place of origin, despite a 4% decline to 277,398 students. It remained the top-sending country for undergraduates and non-degree students, sending 87,551 and 5,517, respectively. Chinese students pursuing OPT increased by 12% to 61,552. India and China together made up over half of all international students in the United States.
PK Agarwal, Dean, UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Professional Education says, “This consistent trend reflects the U.S.’s enduring appeal as a top destination for international students, driven by its exceptional educational infrastructure, post-study work opportunities, and supportive visa pathways. The F-1 visa, for instance, is a popular choice for Indian students, facilitating full-time academic pursuits and access to practical work experience after completing their studies, through programs like OPT.”
Many other countries sending students to the United States experienced strong growth, with eight of the top 25 reaching all-time highs: Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain. Sub-Saharan Africa totals grew by 13% in 2023/24 and had the highest growth rate among all world regions for the second consecutive year, building on the 18% increase in 2022/23.
The Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange announced that the total number of international students at U.S. colleges and universities reached an all-time high of more than 1.1 million (1,126,690) international students in 2023/2024, a 7% increase from the previous academic year.
Sachin Jain, Country Manager – ETS India & South Asia, says, “This growth is in sync with the test taker trends we’ve observed among TOEFL test takers, wherein the U.S. continues to be their preferred destination. Indian students have remained steadfast in choosing the U.S. as their top destination, and these trends align with the growth we’ve seen with both GRE and TOEFL tests accepted by 100% of U.S. institutions.”
The number of new international students enrolling at a U.S. college or university for the first time remained robust, with 298,705 new international students in 2023/2024, matching last year’s total (0.1%) and pre-pandemic levels. Manisha Zaveri, Joint Managing Director, Career Mosaic says, “This trend is fuelled by Indian students’ aspirations to engage in cutting-edge research and innovation, complemented by U.S. institutions’ dedication to fostering specialized education and diverse learning environments.”
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, international students accounted for 6% of the total U.S. higher education population and contributed more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023.
Meenakshi Kachroo Chatta, Senior Director & Regional Head, College Board – India, South & Central Asia says, “The 18% rise in postgraduate enrollments and 13% growth at the undergraduate level highlight the U.S.’s continued appeal, even as other traditional destinations like Canada and Australia face challenges with tighter visa policies. A key factor enabling this trend is the role of standardized tests like the SAT, which serve as stepping stones for students to access top-tier educational opportunities in the US.”
Over a half million international graduate students (502,291) pursued study in the United States in 2023/2024, an 8% increase and an all-time high. Additionally, the number of international students who remained in the United States to gain practical work experience through Optional Practical Training (OPT) reached a record high of 242,782 students, an increase of 22% from the prior year. The number of international undergraduates (342,875) remained stable, decreasing by a moderate one percent from 2022-2023.
Aritra Ghosal, Founder and Director of OneStep Global says, “The 2024 Open Doors report reaffirms the United States’ position as a leading destination for international education, with Indian students now comprising the largest global student population. Opportunities like Optional Practical Training (OPT) provide a unique edge, enabling students to gain invaluable work experience post-graduation.”
More than half (56%) of international students across academic levels pursued STEM fields of study. One in four (25%) studied math and computer science, while nearly one in five (19%) studied engineering.