In the academic year 2024-25, India remained the largest source country of international students in the United States, cementing its position as the leading place of origin for foreign students in American higher education. According to the latest Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education (IIE), a total of 363,019 Indian students were enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities—a notable 10 percent increase from the previous year. This milestone marks the second consecutive year India has topped the charts, surpassing China, which experienced a decline in student numbers by about 4 percent to 265,919 during the same period.

The sustained rise in Indian students highlights India’s growing prominence in the global education landscape and underscores the strong demand for U.S. higher education among Indian youth. Together, India and China accounted for over half of the roughly 1.18 million international students studying in the U.S. in 2024-25, making these two nations the dominant players in international academic mobility to America.

Despite some challenges—including stricter visa regulations and concerns around travel restrictions—U.S. universities continue to attract a large number of Indian students with programs strongly focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). About 57 percent of international students pursued STEM fields this year, with math and computer science remaining particularly popular. Indian students comprise a vital part of this STEM pipeline, contributing to the U.S. economy and campus diversity.

The report also pointed to a 7 percent decline in new international student enrollments overall in fall 2024, with a sharper drop of 17 percent forecast for fall 2025. This decrease is mainly driven by reduced graduate student intakes, where Indian graduate enrollment has seen a slight dip. Nonetheless, the total number of Indian students currently enrolled grew, supported in part by the rising number taking advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows international students to gain work experience in the U.S. after graduation, which grew by 21 percent.

U.S. institutions, particularly in states like California, New York, and Texas, remain favored destinations, with top universities such as New York University, Northeastern University in Boston, and Columbia University attracting large numbers of Indian students. The economic impact is significant; international students contribute nearly $55 billion to the U.S. economy annually, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and enriching American campuses with global perspectives.

India’s leadership as the largest source of international students in the U.S. reflects both the aspirations of Indian students for quality education and the enduring appeal of American universities despite emerging global competition and regulatory challenges. For Indian students and their families, studying in the U.S. continues to represent an investment in skill development and global opportunities, reinforcing bilateral educational and cultural ties.

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