Significant Growth of Indian Students in US Higher Education in 2024
In 2024, the United States experienced a notable increase in its international student population, totaling 1.58 million students, a 5.3% rise from the previous year. This surge was largely driven by Indian students, who numbered approximately 420,000, marking an 11.8% increase. Indian students accounted for nearly 27% of the total international enrollment, making India the largest source country, surpassing China, which contributed about 320,000 students or 20%.
Asian Students Dominate US International Enrollment
Students from Asia make up the majority of foreign enrollment in US institutions, with nearly 1.1 million students representing 72% of the international student body. The data reflects F-1 and M-1 visa holders tracked through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which monitors academic and vocational foreign students.
Top States Hosting International Students
California leads the nation in attracting international students, hosting approximately 237,000, followed by New York with around 172,000. Over 90% of these international students are enrolled in higher education degree programs, underscoring the US's continued status as a premier destination for global academic pursuits.
Emerging Decline in International Student Numbers (2024-2025)
Despite the overall growth in 2024, recent figures reveal a sharp downturn between March 2024 and March 2025. Active international student numbers dropped by 11.3%, from 1.153 million to 1.022 million. The decline was particularly pronounced among Indian students, whose population decreased by nearly 28%, falling from 354,000 to 255,000. Conversely, Chinese student numbers saw a modest increase of 3.3%, reaching approximately 263,000.
Several factors contribute to this reduction, including visa challenges, uncertainties surrounding the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for STEM students, delays in visa interviews influenced by social media scrutiny policies, and economic factors such as corporate layoffs. These developments may further impact international enrollment figures in the future.
Indian Students Dominate STEM OPT Programs
The OPT program allows international students to gain work experience in the US after graduation, offering a one-year work period with an additional two-year extension for those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields.
- In 2024, 194,000 students held OPT work authorization, a 21.1% increase from 2023.
- Approximately 165,000 students participated in the STEM OPT extension program.
- Indian students represented nearly 48% of STEM OPT extension participants, highlighting their strong presence in STEM disciplines.
- Chinese students accounted for about 20.4% of STEM OPT participants.
Conclusion
The data from 2024 demonstrates India's significant role in fueling the growth of international students in the US, especially in STEM fields. However, recent trends indicate challenges that could affect these numbers moving forward. Ongoing policy shifts, visa processing changes, and economic factors will likely shape the future landscape of international education in the United States.
