India has surpassed China as the primary source of international graduate students in the United States, with a remarkable 35 percent surge in Indian student enrollment during the academic year 2022-23, according to the Open Doors report. This marks the first time since 2009-10 that India has claimed the top position among countries sending students to the U.S.
A recently released report from the Institute of International Education (IIE) reveals that this trend has continued for the third consecutive year, establishing a record number of Indian students pursuing higher education in the U.S.
The Open Doors Report notes a significant 35% increase in the number of Indian students, reaching an unprecedented high of 268,923 during the 2022-23 academic year. Indian students now constitute over 25% of the one million-plus international students studying in the U.S.
Further analysis of the data indicates a notable 63% surge in the number of Indian graduate students, totaling 165,936 in the 2022-23 academic year—an increase of nearly 64,000 students compared to the previous year. Concurrently, Indian undergraduate student enrollment witnessed a 16% rise.
Additionally, India leads in the number of individuals (69,062) undertaking optional practical training (OPT), a form of temporary work permission that enables eligible students to gain practical experience aligned with their field of study. This data underscores the growing prominence of Indian students in the U.S. education landscape and their active participation in real-world professional development opportunities.