During International Education Week, data from the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad highlights Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as top states for students pursuing higher education in the United States, collectively accounting for 56% of all Indian student visas issued in 2023.
At a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, Rebekah Drame, Chief of the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad, and Public Affairs Officer Alexander McLaren shared key statistics.
Telangana leads with 34% of the student visas, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 22%. The gender distribution among these students shows approximately two-thirds are male and one-third female.
Rebekah Drame emphasized a significant uptick in visa processing, with over 47,000 student visa interviews conducted in 2023, a 25% increase from the 35,000 interviews conducted in 2022. Additionally, the consulate processed over 5,500 U.S. Citizen Services in 2024, ranking second among all U.S. missions in India, trailing only Chennai.
The 2024 Open Doors Report reaffirms India’s position as the largest source of international students in the United States, accounting for 29% of the total international student population.
A record-breaking 331,602 Indian students are currently enrolled in U.S. institutions. Among these, there are 196,567 graduate students, reflecting a 19% increase, and 36,053 undergraduate students, representing a 13% rise. Participants in Optional Practical Training (OPT) have surged to 97,556, marking an impressive 41% increase. However, the report also notes a decrease in non-degree students, with the total now at 1,426, reflecting a 28% decline.
Alexander McLaren also highlighted the growing trend of educational exchanges between the two countries. The number of American students studying in India increased significantly, from 336 to 1,355, marking an impressive 303.3% growth.