Indian Student Enrollment in the U.S. Rises by 10% in 2024–25: New Report

Washington, D.C., USA: The United States continues to hold its position as the world’s most preferred study destination for international students.

The latest Open Doors 2025 Report on International Educational Exchange, a key annual publication tracking global student mobility to the United States, revealed that 363,019 students from India were studying in the U.S. during the 2024–25 academic year, reflecting a 10% rise compared to the previous year.

Overall, 1,177,766 international students were enrolled across American colleges and universities during the same period—an increase of 5% year-over-year.

India Remains the Leading Source of International Students

India continued to be the top contributor of international students to the U.S. China remained second with 265,919 students, marking a 4% decline from the previous year.

Twelve nations reached their highest-ever student numbers in the U.S., including Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, Vietnam, and India.

IIE President and CEO Jason Czyz noted that international students enrich U.S. campuses by strengthening innovation, academic growth, and cross-cultural engagement.

Economic Impact of International Students

International students represented 6% of the total U.S. higher education population and contributed nearly $55 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

NAFSA estimates that their presence supported over 355,000 jobs nationwide.

Students from abroad were enrolled in institutions across all 50 states. Among the 45 states that experienced increases, the biggest surges occurred in:

• Texas: +8% (+7,497 students)
• Illinois: +7% (+4,336 students)
• Missouri: +11% (+3,694 students)

Most international students (59%) studied at public universities, while community colleges recorded the fastest growth rate at 8%.

Academic Level Trends

Graduate student enrollment (488,481) decreased by 3% after three consecutive years of growth.

Undergraduate enrollment, however, grew by 4% to 357,231, marking the first major post-pandemic rise.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) participation climbed 21%, reaching 294,253 students.

Across all academic levels, 57% of international students pursued STEM programs.

New international student arrivals for fall 2024 dropped 7% to 277,118, though trends differed by academic level:

• New undergraduate students: +5%
• New graduate students: −15%
• Fall 2025 Outlook

More than 825 U.S. institutions contributed to the Fall 2025 Snapshot, offering an early look at the 2025–26 academic cycle. Institutions reported:

• A 1% decline in total international enrollment
• A 2% rise in undergraduate numbers
• A 12% drop in graduate enrollment
• A 14% increase in OPT participation
• A 17% decrease in new student enrollments

Most universities said they are continuing to prioritize global student recruitment, highlighting the value of cultural diversity (81%) and financial contributions (60%) international students bring to campuses.

The Open Doors report, funded by the U.S. Department of State and carried out by the Institute of International Education, remains the most widely trusted resource on academic mobility in the United States.