The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024 states that India has closed a 15-year gap to become the leading source of international students in the United States for the 2023–24 academic year.
After a 15-year hiatus, India has regained its position as the largest source of international students in the United States for the 2023–24 school year. According to Monday's Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024, the nation has overtaken China with a 23% year-over-year rise in student enrollment, with over 330,000 Indian students traveling to the US.This development is consistent with a similar pattern in the UK, where, in the 2022–2023 academic year, India surpassed China as the country's top supplier of non-EU international students, increasing by 39% to 170,000 students.
The increase of Indian students in the US is most noticeable in graduate programs, where enrollment rose by 19% to almost 200,000 students. Additionally, according to The Times of India, enrollment in the US's Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which permits foreign students to work in the US after completing their studies, increased significantly, rising 41% to over 97,000 students.
According to the International Student Economic Impact 2023 study, Indian students made a significant economic contribution to the US in 2023, contributing $11.8 billion. Indian students made up about 20% of the $50 billion in overall contributions made by overseas students to the US economy in 2023.
STEM Field Growth
The bulk of Indian students (42.9%) are enrolled in computer science and mathematics programs, with engineering (24.5%) and business/management (11.2%) following closely behind. Physical and biological sciences are pursued by a lower yet noteworthy percentage (5.4%). STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields account for 56% of all international students in the US, following worldwide trends. The most popular subjects are computer science and mathematics, with engineering coming in second.
Economic Impact and Regional Growth
With more than 1.1 million students enrolled, the total number of international students in the US hit a record high in 2023–24, up 7% from the year before. More than half (54%) of all international students in the US were from China and India combined. However, China's enrollment fell by 4% to 270,000 students, while India's enrollment increased.
With more than 1.1 million students enrolled, the total number of international students in the US hit a record high in 2023–24, up 7% from the year before. More than half (54%) of all international students in the US were from China and India combined. However, China's enrollment fell by 4% to 270,000 students, while India's enrollment increased.
With 64.5% of Indian students choosing state universities and the remaining 35.5% attending private ones, the number of students enrolling in public universities is rising. Texas, New York, and California continue to be the most popular US states for Indian students. But states like Missouri, Michigan, and Illinois saw very rapid increases in the number of students, with Missouri seeing a 35% rise and Michigan increasing.
The Increasing Impact of Foreign Students
The wider importance of international education was emphasized by Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. "The experience of studying in the United States not only shapes the lives of individuals but also the future of our interconnected world," he stated. "The ties formed between the US and international students today are the basis for future business, trade, science, innovation, and government relations."
In 2023–2024, the number of graduate students increased by 8%, reaching over half a million (502,291) in the United States. Furthermore, 242,782 students took part in the OPT program, which reflects the rising number of international students looking to gain real-world work experience following graduation.
The wider importance of international education was emphasized by Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. "The experience of studying in the United States not only shapes the lives of individuals but also the future of our interconnected world," he stated. "The ties formed between the US and international students today are the basis for future business, trade, science, innovation, and government relations."
In 2023–2024, the number of graduate students increased by 8%, reaching over half a million (502,291) in the United States. Furthermore, 242,782 students took part in the OPT program, which reflects the rising number of international students looking to gain real-world work experience following graduation.
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