India is now biggest source of international students to US, overtaking China
During the summer, a record-breaking 90,000 visas were issued to Indian students by the U.S. Embassy in India. (Photo Credits: Getty Images)
The latest data from the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report revealed that India has surpassed China in the number of international students at US colleges and universities.
What
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The number of international students studying in the United States surged by 12% during the 2022-2023 school year, nearly reaching 1.06 million students. This increase approaches pre-COVID-19 levels.
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This rise is attributed to a higher influx of Indian students choosing to study in the US, compensating for the decline in students from China. Presently, a total of 268,923 Indian students are enrolled in American institutions.
The Open Doors Report indicates a significant 35% surge in the overall number of Indian students in the US compared to the previous academic year, totaling 268,000 students.
| Open Doors Report Data | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | % increase |
| Indian international students in the United States | 199,182 | 268,923 | 35% |
| Undergraduate students | 27,545 | 31,954 | 16% |
| Graduate students | 102,024 | 165,936 | 62.6% |
| OPT | 68,188 | 69,062 | 1.3% |
China and India collectively constitute more than half (52%) of all international students studying in the United States.
During the primary student visa season from June to August 2023, the US embassy and consulates in India witnessed a record issuance of student visas, reflecting an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
The Open Doors Report is published by the US Institute of International Education (IIE) in collaboration with the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
More than half of international students in US are from India and China. China still has the most, but India is gaining ground. This has both +/-ive implications for the Indian economy. Irrespective Indian higher education needs to be further strengthened.https://t.co/8wYs2M69NJ pic.twitter.com/NHWNWAdw5q
— Harsh Madhusudan (@harshmadhusudan) September 3, 2023
This report comprises comprehensive data on international students enrolled at US higher education institutions, encompassing physical and online enrollment, and those engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT) from fall 2022 to spring 2023.