India has recently surpassed China as the leading source of international students coming to the United States. In the academic year 2023/2024, there was a record number of over 1.1 million international students in the US, with India accounting for 331,602 of them, showing a significant increase of 23% from the previous year.
The surge in Indian students enrolling in US institutions was primarily seen at the graduate level, with 196,567 students pursuing higher education, marking a 19% increase. Additionally, there was a notable rise in Indian students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs, with 97,556 students, reflecting a 41% increase.
While India took the top spot, China remained a significant contributor to the international student population in the US, with 277,398 students. Chinese students were prominent in undergraduate and non-degree programs, with 87,551 and 5,517 students, respectively. The number of Chinese students participating in OPT programs also increased by 12% to 61,552.
Apart from India and China, several other countries experienced substantial growth in sending students to the US. Countries like Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain reached all-time highs in sending students to the US. Sub-Saharan Africa saw a 13% growth in international student numbers, making it the region with the highest growth rate for the second consecutive year.
The overall increase in international student enrollment in the US has been beneficial for the economy, contributing over $50 billion in 2023. Graduate students and students participating in OPT programs reached record highs, with over half a million international graduate students and 242,782 students in OPT programs.
The Fall 2024 International Student Enrollment Snapshot revealed a 3% rise in international student enrollment across US institutions at the start of the 2024/25 academic year. While undergraduate enrollments increased by 6%, graduate enrollments saw a modest 2% decrease. OPT programs continued to rise by 12%.
Institutions in the US are focusing on international student outreach, with efforts concentrated in countries like India, Vietnam, China, and South Korea for undergraduate recruitment, and India, China, Ghana, and Nigeria for graduate recruitment. This emphasis on international students is seen as a way to foster cultural exchange, enrich campuses, and strengthen relationships for future business, trade, and innovation.
Overall, the increasing number of international students in the US reflects the country’s commitment to being a premier destination for global education. The connections formed between US and international students are seen as crucial for shaping the future of our interconnected world, as highlighted by officials like Scott Weinhold from the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Allan Goodman, CEO of IIE.
