HIGHLIGHTS

  • Nearly 1.2 million international students studied or participated in OPT in the US in 2024-25, marking a 5% year-over-year increase.
  • About 277,000 new international students enrolled in 2024-25. This represents a 7% decline compared to the previous year.
  • Total international student numbers rose 5% YoY, primarily due to a 21% increase in OPT participation. OPT participants exceeded 294,000 in 2024-25.
  • India accounted for 74.3% of STEM students in 2024/25, down slightly (–1.2%) from 2023/24. 43% of Indian students pursued math and computer science, leading all major student groups.

New international student enrolment was down in the US in 2024-25, but participation in OPT continued to grow, according to a study by ApplyBoard.

Nearly 1.2 million international students studied or participated in Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the US in 2024/25. This represents a growth of nearly 5% over the previous academic year.

Though the total number of international students in the US rose 5% year-over-year, that growth was driven by a 21% increase in OPT placements. There were over 294,000 OPT participants in 2024/25, while the 884,000 international enrolments matched the total of the previous year.

While OPT growth lifted the overall international student total in 2024/25, new international enrolment moved in the opposite direction. There were about 277,000 new international enrolments across the US in 2024/25, representing a year-over-year decline of 7%.

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According to the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) 2025 Open Doors Report, which was published in November of last year, the United States welcomed the greatest number of foreign students in history during the 2024–2025 academic year.

However, compared to pervious year, the international student enrolments stayed flat in 2024/25. What stood out was the number of foreign students opting for the Optional Practical Training (OPT), as more international graduates stayed in the United States after finishing their studies to get work experience.

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STEM Opportunities

In 2024–2025, India had the largest percentage of students seeking Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities. India accounted for 74.3% of STEM students in 2024-2025, down 1.2% from 2023–2024. 43% of Indian students participated in math and computer science fields, well ahead of other major student groups.

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STEM occupations in the US are projected to grow 8% from 2024 to 2034.2 This is nearly triple the projected pace for non-STEM roles. Additionally, STEM roles offered a 2024 median annual wage of about US$104,000, more than double the non-STEM median.