Study Abroad: India beats China in race for US education, leads with 3.31 lakh students, says report

NEW DELHI: India has reclaimed its position as the leading source of international students in the United States for the 2023-24 academic year, a status it last held in 2019, says The Open Doors 2024 Report.

The number of Indian students reached 3,31,602, showing a 23% increase from the previous year, with significant growth in graduate programmes (1,96,567 students, +19%) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) participation (97,556 students, +41%).

The Open Doors 2024 Report revealed that US universities now host over 1.1 million international students (1,126,690), marking a 7% increase. China, which sent 2,77,398 students, saw a 4% decline but maintained leadership in undergraduate (87,551) and non-degree (5,517) enrollments. Chinese OPT participants increased by 12% to 61,552.

India vs China: Enrollment figures

Together, students from India and China accounted for over 50% of all international students in the United States.

The Open Doors Report is published by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Record numbers: Foreign graduates, OPT participants

International graduate student numbers in the US hit a new high of over 5,02,000, up 8%. OPT participation reached a record 2,42,782 students, increasing 22%. While undergraduate enrollments showed a slight 1% decrease, new international student enrollment remained strong at 2,98,705.

Study in US: Key figures

"As we celebrate 75 years of Open Doors, we are happy to announce the record number of international students in the US this year," said Allan Goodman, CEO of the Institute of International Education.

"These students add value to our campuses, encourage cultural exchange, and help our economy. We are committed to supporting them and ensuring the US remains a top destination for global education.

International students, STEM dominance

Several countries like Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain witnessed high enrollments.

STEM fields dominated with 56% of international students choosing these programmes – such as the MS courses in USA – one in four (25%) studying math and computer science, and one in five (19%) studying engineering.

The number of international students also grew in 44 states across the US with California, New York, and Texas hosting the largest numbers and three Midwestern states showing significant growth – Missouri (+35%), Michigan (+14%), and Illinois (+13%).

US study abroad programmes also rebounded with 2,80,716 US students studying overseas in the 2022-23 academic year – a 49% increase. Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France remained top destinations hosting 45% of American students.

The list of study-abroad destinations became more diverse after the pandemic. Australia and New Zealand returned to the top 25 destinations for US students and seven other countries reached record highs – Denmark, Greece, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Switzerland.

International students’ economic impact

International students, now 6% of total US higher education enrollment, contributed over USD 50 billion to the nation’s economy in 2023, according to the US Department of Commerce.

"The experience of studying in the United States not only shapes the lives of individuals but also the future of our interconnected world," said Scott Weinhold, senior bureau official for the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

"The ties formed between US and international students today lay the foundation for future business, trade, science, innovation, and government relations."

Looking ahead at the 2024-25 academic year, the Fall 2024 snapshot indicates a 3% increase in international enrollment, with undergraduate numbers up 6% but graduate enrollment down 2%. OPT participation grew 12%, with institutions focusing recruitment efforts on India, Vietnam, China, and South Korea for undergraduate programmes; and India, China, Ghana, and Nigeria for graduate programmes.

Over 680 higher education institutions participated in the Fall 2024 International student enrollment snapshot.