For the first time in 15 years, India has surpassed other nations to become the largest source of international students in the United States, with over 3.3 lakh students currently enrolled in American institutions. This milestone was highlighted in the Open Doors Report 2024, released on Monday.
In the academic year 2022-23, China was the leading source of international students in the US, followed by India, as per a report by PTI. However, in the current academic year 2023-24, Indian student enrollment in the US has reached an all-time high of 3,31,602, representing a remarkable 23% increase from the previous year’s figure of 2,68,923.
“India is now the leading country of origin for international students in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of the total international student population,” stated a note from the US Embassy accompanying the report.
The Open Doors Report also revealed that the top five source countries for international students in the US for 2023-24 are India, China, South Korea, Canada, and Taiwan. While Indian students led the tally with 3,31,602 enrollments, China followed with 2,77,398 students. South Korea contributed 43,149 students, Canada had 28,998, and Taiwan accounted for 23,157.
The report highlighted India’s significant growth, stating, “India is the top sender of international students (for the first time since 2008/2009) with over 3,31,602 students studying in the United States. The number of Indian students is at an all-time high.”
The academic calendar in the US typically begins in September and concludes in May, a timeline that accommodates the large influx of international students.
A Leader in Graduate Enrollment
India maintained its position as the largest sender of international graduate students, encompassing those pursuing master’s and PhD programs, for the second consecutive year. The report noted a 19% increase in Indian graduate student numbers, bringing the total to 1,96,567.
Undergraduate enrollment by Indian students also saw growth, with a 13% rise to 36,053 students. However, non-degree programs, such as short-term exchange initiatives, witnessed a notable decline of 28%, with the number of students dropping to 1,426.
Celebrating International Education
The release of the Open Doors Report coincided with the start of International Education Week (IEW), an annual event that underscores the importance and benefits of international education and cultural exchange on a global scale.
The Open Doors Report is a long-standing publication by the Institute of International Education (IIE), an organization that has been conducting statistical surveys on international students in the US since its inception in 1919. Since 1972, this initiative has been carried out in collaboration with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
This year’s findings not only underscore India’s growing presence in the US education system but also highlight the evolving trends in international education as a whole.