India has retained its position as the largest source of international students in the US for the 2024-25 academic year, clocking 3,63,019 students - a 10% rise from last year. The growth, while strong, is notably slower than the 23% surge recorded in 2023-24.
According to a report by The Times of India, longer visa-appointment queues, stricter scrutiny, and concerns around future work-visa pathways did little to dent India's outbound student flow. In contrast, China, once the dominant contributor, saw numbers fall for the fifth consecutive year, slipping another 4% to 2,65,919 students.
The overall international student headcount in the US was down 7%, and early indicators from the Fall 2025 Snapshot show continuing pressure. The survey shows a 1% dip in total international enrolments, with a fall of 17% in new arrivals.
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India's spending nearly matches that of China
As per the report by the Times of India, Indian students' expenditure in tuition, living, and other expenses reached $14 billion in 2024-25 - sharply up from $11.8 billion last year and close to China's $14.6 billion, the highest among all countries.
Undergraduate enrollments from India increased by 11% - a steady upward shift - while graduate enrollments, traditionally India’s strongest segment, decreased by 9.5%.
The Optional Practical Training, which allows students to work temporarily after their studies, jumped 47% and continued the strong trend from the previous years, the Times of India reported.
The report also stated that the Indian students preferred to go to public institutions at 63%, while the others went to private institutions at 37%. The top destinations include Texas, New York, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois.
"Wherever Indian students go, they excel - not by chance, but by capability and character,” Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan told Times of India. “Our youth are driving global classrooms, research labs, and innovation economies with the same confidence with which they are shaping India's own growth story,” he added further.
Jason Czyz, Institute of International Education (IIE) president and CEO, said, “International students come to the US to advance their education and contribute to US colleges and communities.”
US remains top global destination
The US Department of Commerce estimates that international students brought nearly $55 billion to the US economy in 2024, supporting more than 3.5 lakh jobs across the country. They now comprise 6% of the US higher education population.
Twelve of the top 25 sending countries - including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana, Vietnam and Canada- hit their highest-ever numbers this year.
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Recruitment priorities shift for US colleges
As per the report, US universities indicate undergraduate outreach in Vietnam (55%), India (49%), Brazil (39%), and South Korea (39%) for the coming admission season. India leads graduate recruitment priorities at 57%, followed by Vietnam at 32%, China at 28%, and Bangladesh, also at 28%. The Snapshot Survey also indicates a 2% increase in undergraduates and a 12% decline in graduate students, while OPT participation continues to grow at 14%.
