After a gap of 15 years, India has regained its position as the leading source of international students in the United States for the 2023-24 academic year, surpassing China. According to the latest Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024, India registered a remarkable 23% increase, with over 3.3 lakh students heading to the US for higher education.
The report highlights a significant growth in Indian students enrolling in graduate programs, with a 19% increase. Additionally, participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT) surged by 41%. The data also reveals that 64.5% of Indian students were enrolled in public institutions, while the remaining students attended private universities.
In terms of fields of study, 42.9% of Indian students chose mathematics and computer science, followed by 24.5% pursuing engineering, and 11.2% studying business or management. Only 5.4% of students were enrolled in physical and life sciences programs.
Why do Indian students choose the US as their study destination?
Higher education is increasingly seen as essential for securing a prosperous career, which has led many Indian students to seek opportunities abroad. In the 2023-24 academic year, India experienced a 23% increase in student enrollment in the US, a trend also observed in the UK, where India became the top source of non-European Union students in 2022-23, with a 39% increase.
Several factors contribute to this growing preference for the US as a study destination. The US is home to some of the world’s top universities, which offer cutting-edge research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and international exposure. While education in India is relatively affordable, this is not the case at top institutions like the IITs and IIMs, where the fees have risen substantially in recent years, and the chances of securing admission have become even slimmer. In contrast, the US offers favorable job opportunities not just for its national students but also for international students, making it an attractive destination for both academic and career growth.
Top US Universities for Indian Students
The US is home to numerous world-renowned universities. According to the data, 42.9% of Indian students pursue mathematics/computer science in the US, while 24.5% study engineering, and 11.2% focus on business/management. Let’s take a look at some of the top institutions in the US that offer these programs:
Top 5 US institutions that provide programmes in Mathematics:
Top 5 US institutions that provide programmes in Computer Science:
Top 5 US institutions that provide programmes in Engineering:
Top 5 US institutions that provide programmes in Business and Management:
Seats and Cost Challenges
A key reason many Indian students opt to study in the US is the limited availability of spots in India’s top institutions. Despite excellent academic performance, many students fail to secure a seat in prestigious Indian universities due to excessively high cut-offs, reservation policies, and even instances of corruption. For instance, in the highly competitive Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), lakhs of students appear for the JEE Mains and JEE Advanced exams, but only a few thousand are admitted.
Additionally, a significant percentage of seats in IITs and other top institutions are reserved for students from SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and EWS categories (15%, 7.5%, 27%, and 10%, respectively). While these policies promote inclusivity, they also mean that many high-scoring students from the General category miss out on admissions, even if they score higher than some students in reserved categories. This situation has led to frustration among students who, despite their hard work, cannot secure a seat in their dream institutions. As a result, the highly competitive environment in India’s top institutions has driven many students to seek options abroad.
Moreover, the cost of studying abroad has become increasingly comparable to the fees at some of India’s top institutions. For example, IITs, once known for offering affordable, high-quality education, have raised their fees in recent years. With tuition costs rising, many students now find studying abroad—where they have access to better facilities, research opportunities, and international exposure—more appealing as an investment in their future.
Job Opportunities in the US
The US is home to several global giants in the job market. After graduation, students have the opportunity to apply for positions at top companies such as McKinsey, Google, Amazon, Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and many others. The prestigious reputation of US institutions, combined with their rigorous academic programs, ensures that graduates are highly sought after by leading employers worldwide.
The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024 reveals a significant 41% increase in Optional Practical Training (OPT) participation among Indian students.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 visa students to work in the US in a role directly related to their major area of study. Eligible students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies. However, any time spent on pre-completion OPT is deducted from the available post-completion period.
For students who graduate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an additional benefit: they can apply for a 24-month extension to their post-completion OPT. This extension provides students with more time to gain valuable work experience in the US job market, further enhancing their employability.
Graduates from US institutions often find that their degrees and experience are highly valued, making them competitive candidates not only in the US but also globally. The exposure to diverse work cultures, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative research opportunities gives them a significant edge in securing job offers both in India and around the world.
Ready to lead with AI? Enroll now with GrowFast to transform your business strategy. Click here!
