Introduction
India has become the top country in attracting students to study there and this has happened for the first time in 15 years. And has overtaken China and has come to the second place in terms of sending students to US while India has come on the first number and now there are Indian students in American universities. form a big group among international students. America shows the increasing interest of Indian students in studying in America for better education and better job opportunities. Many Indian students are choosing America for high-quality universities, strong programs in areas such as science and technology, and to improve their careers.
India’s Growing Presence in the US
331,602 Indian students took admission in US colleges in the academic year 2023-2024 which is an increase of 23% compared to the previous one year and this is the first time after 2029 that India has become the top country to send students in America.
If we observe, earlier China was among the top countries in terms of sending students in the last some 15years but now China has come at second place with 277,398 students. And if we look at the admissions numbers of students and India has now come at the top.
Reasons of Indian Students go to the US:
Indian students choose to study in America because there they get high quality education, great career opportunities in science and technology, cultural diversity and a strong support system is available for Indian students.
Key reasons:
There are some top universities in America which offer many courses in different fields where students can choose their program as per their interest and get high quality education and opportunities for a good career. Hence, US is a popular destination for studying.
Some popular universities in the US that are famous for their strong science, technology, engineering and mathematics etc. programs and these universities provide batter opportunities for students who are interested in these programs.
Studying in America gives students better job options, usually in technology fields and work visa programs allow students to stay there even after graduation and gain practical experience, which gives students better career options and this is the reason why US becomes a top choice for international students
The U.S. has a diverse mix of cultures, creating a welcoming environment that helps Indian students feel comfortable, adjust smoothly, and easily connect with people from various backgrounds.
US universities support international students by offering academic guidance, housing assistance, and other resources, ensuring their studies and daily lives are easier and more comfortable.
US universities offer flexible courses, allowing students to choose from a wide variety of subjects. This helps them study what they enjoy and build skills for their future careers.
US universities have lively campuses with student groups and fun activities. These help students make friends enjoy events and feel part of a community while studying.
Indian students are welcomed very well in the US. Indian students are attracted to study there. And the US has an International Student Services Office where trained counselors are available to answer your questions and guide you during the process of adjusting to university life in the US. This helps you know the process of studying in the US.
Challenges Faced by Indian Students in the US
Financial Barriers
Rising tuition costs and living expenses.
Limited scholarship opportunities and financial aid availability.
Indian students may face financial problems due to high tuition fees and increasing living cost in America such as education and housing, textbooks and other expenses. Apart from this, scholarship and financial options for international students are also limited due to which it may be difficult for international students to manage their expenses. Financial problems can cause stress to students and can affect the overall academic experience for international students.
Visa and Immigration Issues
Indian students in the US often face visa and immigration challenges. While there have been some improvements and issues like getting work permits and permanent residency remain difficult. These obstacles can delay career plans and add stress and create uncertainty for students hoping to stay in the US after graduation.
Cultural and Social Adaptation
Indian students in the US often deal with homesickness and miss their families. They need to find support from friends or student groups. Adapting to new cultural norms can be challenging and but building friendships and joining networks helps them feel more connected and comfortable in their new environment.
Which university in the USA has the most Indian students?
New York University
New York University is ranked 38th in the world for last year 2024. It has a big number of international students and with 22.2% coming from other countries. Among them, 2,031 Indian students are currently studying at NYU.
There are few universities in US which attract Indian students quite a bit but few or many Indian students study more than others. And some famous universities in US like Johns Hopkins University, New York University and Carnegie Mellon University are the universities where the number of Indian students is highest.
In the United States and Indian students mostly study Computer Science. After completing a degree in Computer Science and job opportunities increase and which makes this course quite popular. The demand for a Master of Science in Computer Science is high both in India and abroad.
Math’s and Computer Science are very popular subjects for Indian students. In the 2023-24 school year, 42.9% of Indian students in the U.S. picked these two courses for their studies.
Some US cities are cheaper and better for students. Cities like Austin in Texas Raleigh in North Carolina, and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania are known for having low living costs. This makes them good choices for Indian students looking for affordable places to live while studying in the US. These cities offer a balance of quality education and lower expenses.
More Indian students are joining graduate programs
| Student Category | Change (%) | Number of Students |
| Graduate Students | +19% | 196,567 |
| Undergraduate Students | +13% | 36,053 |
| Non-Degree Students | -28% | 1,426 |
The number of Indian students in graduate programs like master’s and PhD in the US went up by 19%, reaching 196,567 students. This shows that Indian students are preferring to study advanced degrees in America. As compared to past years.
In the last one year, the number of Indian students choosing degree courses in the US has increased by 13% in which the number of students has reached 36,053.
The second study showed that the number of Indian non-degree students decreased by 28%, falling to 1,426 students. This suggests that fewer Indian students are going to the US for short-term or non-degree programs.
Statistical Trends Over Five Years
Enrollment Numbers (2018-2023)
| Academic Year | Indian Students Enrolled | Change from Previous Year (%) |
| 2018-2019 | 202,014 | +5% |
| 2019-2020 | 220,543 | +9% |
| 2020-2021 | 193,124 | -12% (COVID-19 Impact) |
| 2021-2022 | 268,710 | +39% |
| 2022-2023 | 331,602 | +23% |
2018-2019
There are 202,014 students from India enrolled.
The number of Indian students has increased by 5% compared to last year and 202,014 students came to the US to study in 2018-2019.
It was found that Indian students are choosing to study in US instead of studying in US for better education and better job opportunities.
In 2019-2020
In 2019-2020, 220,543 Indian students went to study in the US, which was a 9% rise from the previous year. This shows that more Indian students were choosing the US for better education and job chances.
In 2020-2021,
Enrollment: 193,124 Indian students.
In 2020-2021, there was a 12% decline in the number of students due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to Covid-19, students faced problems like travel issues, visa delays and health issues. Therefore, only 193,124 Indian students attended US schools.
In 2021-2022,
Travel restrictions come back because COVID-19 but still 268,710 Indian students enrolled in the US. This was a 39% increase and including students who had postponed their studies because of the COVID- pandemic.
In 2022-2023,
331,602 Indian students enrolled in the US, a 23% increase from the previous year. This rise shows that Indian students continue to have a strong interest in studying abroad and are eager to pursue education in the United States.
Factors contributing to this trend include the increasing recognition of international degrees, better career prospects, and favorable immigration policies in destination countries.
In 2023-2024,
331,602 Indian students joined US universities, 23% more than last year. After 15 years, India is now the top country sending students to the US again.
Effect of Policy Changes During the Trump time as President
After Donald Trump became President, the number of Indian students in America has increased and there have been many changes in American immigration and visa rules. Indian students have been greatly influenced by the ways and changes in coming to America and their experience there has also been greatly influenced by the President.
Tougher visa Rules.
When Trump was president, it was harder for students from other countries, like India, to get visas to study in the US. The process took longer, and the papers were checked more carefully. This made it harder for Indian students to study there. But still, many Indian students chose to study in the US.
Reduced OPT Opportunities
During Trump’s time as president, the OPT program and which lets international students work in the US after finishing their studies, was in danger. Plans were made to reduce or discontinue it, affecting many Indian students in subjects such as science and technology. Even so, many Indian students still chose to study in the US because of the good education and job chances.
Travel Bans and Restrictions
In 2020, the Trump administration stopped travel from several countries, including India and because of COVID-19. This made it hard for many students to go to the US for their studies. However, Indian students were still eager to study and once the travel rules were relaxed, many came back to the US to continue their education.
Shifting Focus to STEM Education
Under Trump, the US continued to prioritize STEM education like Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as part of its strategy to maintain global competitiveness. This shift had a direct impact on Indian students, as many chose to study in STEM fields due to the strong demand for skilled workers in these areas. The Trump administration’s policies were seen as encouraging high-skilled migration and India, with its growing pool of talented students became a key beneficiary.
H-1B Visa Uncertainty
Another challenge for Indian students under Trump’s administration was the uncertainty surrounding the H-1B visa program and which allows international students to stay in the US and work in specialized occupations after graduation. There were frequent changes and proposed cuts to the program, making it harder for Indian graduates to secure long-term work opportunities in the US. Despite these challenges, the demand for US education remained strong, with many students viewing it as an investment in their future.
Under Trump (2017–2021):
During Trump’s time as president (2017–2021), COVID-19 travel restrictions and other policies caused uncertainty. Indian students faced delays or couldn’t travel. However, many were able to resume their studies once the restrictions were lifted.
New policy for international students in the US
New rules in the US mean international students can’t study abroad for more than five months. Before and they could study abroad for as long as they were still enrolled in a US school. This change is seen as an “unintended consequence” by some.
Conclusion
This is the first time in 15 years that India has become the top country sending students to the US. Earlier China used to come in the first position but now China comes in second place and in 2022-2023, 331,602 Indian students have taken admission in US universities.
The number increased by 23%. Indian students are attracted by high quality education like STEM fields and strong career opportunities. However, they face challenges such as high tuition fees, visa difficulties and cultural adaptation. But still Indian students choose US.
Despite visa rules becoming stricter during Donald Trump’s presidency, Indian students still wanted to study in the US as students considered the US a good investment for their futures. American Indian students liked the US because of its diverse culture, better education and job opportunities.
