India has regained its position as the leading source of international students in the United States for the 2023-24 academic year, a remarkable achievement after 15 years. According to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2024, India saw a 23% surge, with over 3.3 lakh students heading to the US for higher education. This growth highlights the increasing interest among Indian students in pursuing academic opportunities abroad.
The report also notes a significant rise in Indian students enrolling in graduate programs, which increased by 19%. Participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows international students to work in the US in fields related to their studies, also surged by 41%. A majority of Indian students, 64.5%, enrolled in public institutions, while the rest attended private universities.
In terms of academic fields, most Indian students focused on mathematics and computer science (42.9%), followed by engineering (24.5%), and business or management (11.2%). Only 5.4% pursued physical and life sciences.
Why the US is the Preferred Study Destination for Indian Students
The demand for higher education in India is on the rise, as students view it as key to securing better career prospects. This has led to an increasing number of students opting to study abroad, with the US emerging as the top choice. A similar trend has been seen in the UK, where India became the top source of non-EU students in the 2022-23 academic year, with a 39% increase in enrollment.
Several factors drive Indian students toward the US. The country is home to world-renowned universities offering cutting-edge research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and international exposure. While education in India is relatively affordable, the rising fees at top institutions like IITs and IIMs, along with increasingly tough competition for admission, make the US an attractive alternative. Additionally, the US provides excellent job opportunities for international students, which further increases its appeal.
Top US Universities for Indian Students
The US boasts some of the best universities for students pursuing degrees in fields like computer science, engineering, and business. Indian students account for a significant portion of international students in these programs, seeking access to advanced research and career opportunities in top global companies.
Challenges of Securing Admission in Indian Institutions
One of the main reasons Indian students look to the US is the limited number of spots in India’s top universities. Despite strong academic performance, many students struggle to secure admission due to high cut-offs, reservation policies, and at times, corruption in the admissions process. For example, in highly competitive institutions like the IITs, thousands of students appear for entrance exams, but only a few thousand are admitted.
Moreover, reservation policies, which allocate a percentage of seats to students from certain categories (SC, ST, OBC, EWS), further reduce the opportunities for many students from the general category, even if they have higher scores. This creates frustration and drives many to consider studying abroad, where opportunities may seem more accessible.
Rising Tuition Fees and Global Job Opportunities
The cost of studying abroad has become comparable to the fees at India’s top universities, particularly with rising tuition costs at IITs. With education fees climbing, many students see studying in the US as a more valuable investment, offering not just academic growth but also access to better job opportunities in leading global companies.
Graduates from US institutions are highly sought after by top employers like Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM. The US offers significant advantages for international students, including the OPT program, which allows them to gain work experience in the US after graduation. This work experience enhances their employability, both in the US and internationally.
OPT: A Gateway to US Job Market
The OPT program allows students on F-1 visas to work in the US for up to 12 months in their field of study. For students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an additional 24-month extension, allowing them to gain even more experience. This has contributed to a 41% increase in OPT participation among Indian students.
Overall, US degrees and work experience are highly valued globally, giving graduates from US institutions a competitive edge in the job market. Their exposure to diverse work environments and cutting-edge technologies ensures they are well-prepared for careers around the world.
Top 5 US institutions that provide programmes in Mathematics:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) QS World University Ranking: 1 Overall Score: 96.8
Stanford University QS World University Ranking: 3 Overall Score: 93
Harvard University QS World University Ranking: 5 Overall Score: 92.7
University of California, Berkeley QS World University Ranking: 6 Overall Score: 92.4
Princeton University QS World University Ranking: 7 Overall Score: 89.4
Top 5 US institutions that provide programmes in Computer Science:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) QS World University Ranking: 1 Overall Score: 94.8
Carnegie Mellon University QS World University Ranking: 2 Overall Score: 93.2
Stanford University QS World University Ranking: 2 Overall Score: 93.2
University of California, Berkeley QS World University Ranking: 5 Overall Score: 90.1
Harvard University QS World University Ranking: 7 Overall Score: 88.5
Princeton University QS World University Ranking: 14 Overall Score: 84.3
Top 5 US institutions that provide programmes in Engineering:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) QS World University Ranking: 1 Overall Score: 96.8
Stanford University QS World University Ranking: 2 Overall Score: 93.8
University of California, Berkeley QS World University Ranking: 5 Overall Score: 92.2
Harvard University QS World University Ranking: 8 Overall Score: 89.8
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) QS World University Ranking: 9 Overall Score: 88.8
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