India largest source of international students in US after a gap of 15 years | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: After a gap of 15 years, India has reclaimed its position as the top source of international students in the United States for the academic year 2023-2024, overtaking China. According to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024 report released on Monday, India recorded a 23% year-on-year increase, sending over 3.3 lakh students to the US.
The development mirrors India’s performance in Britain, where the country became the top source of non-European students in 2022-23, with a 39% increase to 1.7 lakh students, surpassing China. The growth in the number of Indian students in the US is most notable in graduate programs, which saw a 19% increase to nearly two lakh students, and in optional participation in practical training, which rose 41% to over 97,000.
The US will earn $50 billion from international students by 2023, of which 20% will be from Indians
Most Indian students (64.5%) enrolled in public institutions, while the remaining 35.5% attended private universities.
According to global international enrollment trends, the US will have hosted a record number of more than 11 lakh international students in 2023-24, an increase of seven percent over the previous year.
India and China together accounted for more than half (54%) of this total. However, while the number of Indian students rose, enrollment in China fell by four percent to 2.7 lakh students.

The contribution of Indian students to the US economy in 2023 was significant, generating $11.8 billion, according to the International Student Economic Impact 2023.
As per the latest report, the percentage of Indian students studying Mathematics/Computer Science is 42.9%, followed by 24.5% studying Engineering and 11.2% Business/Management.
There are 5.4% of Indian students pursuing physical/life sciences programs.
Of all international students in the US, 56% were pursuing a STEM field, with math and computer science (25%) and engineering (19%) being the most popular disciplines. Business administration and management (14%) and natural and life sciences (8%) follow.
International students were spread across 44 states, with the largest populations in California, New York and Texas. States such as Missouri (+35%), Michigan (+14%) and Illinois (+13%) experienced the highest growth in student numbers. For Indian students, the top destinations were Texas, New York, California, Massachusetts and Illinois.
By 2023, international students made up six percent of the total U.S. higher education population and contributed more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy.
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest growth rate of any region, up 13% for the second consecutive year. Of the top 25 countries sending students to the U.S., eight reached record highs: Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan and Spain.
Scott Weinhold, senior bureau official of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, emphasized the broader impact of international education: “The experience of studying in the United States shapes not only the lives of individuals, but also the future of our interconnected world. .”
“The bonds formed between U.S. and international students today are the foundation for future business, trade, science, innovation and government relationships.”
In 2023-2024, over half a million graduate students (5,02,291) were studying in the US, which represents an increase of eight percent. Additionally, 2,42,782 students enrolled in OPT programs, an increase of 22%, highlighting the growing trend of students seeking practical work experience after their studies.