35% more Indian students travelled to U.S. for higher education in 2022-23 when compared to previous year

India registered 35% rise in students travelling to U.S. for higher education; surpassing China for first time since 2009-10. 10 lakh foreign students enrolled in U.S. colleges this year; 8% growth in students pursuing OPT. U.S. is preferred destination for international students; STEM programmes popular. California, Texas & NY most-preferred destinations; USIEF trying to revive programmes for American students in India.

India registered a 35% rise in the number of students travelling to the U.S. in the past year, according to the annual Open Doors Report released on Monday.  

About 25% of the over 10 lakh foreign students enrolled in colleges in the U.S. this academic year are from India.

For the first time since 2009-10, India is set to surpass China in the number of students travelling to the U.S. for higher education, the report said.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) publishes the Open Doors report that includes international students enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions and those opting for optional practical training from Fall 2022 to Spring 2023.   

The report said the number of international students in the U.S. had rebounded to near pre-pandemic levels, with 10,57,188 students enrolled in higher education institutions in 2022-23. In 2021-22, a total of 9,48,519 students had travelled to the U.S. for higher education. The U.S. also registered an 8% growth in students pursuing optional practical training (OPT).

The report’s release marks the beginning of the International Education Week that commenced on Monday.  

Christopher W. Hodges, U.S. Consul-General, Chennai, said the report showed that with over 4,000 accredited institutions, the U.S. was the preferred destination for international students.