In the academic year 2022-23, there was a 35% surge in Indian students heading to the US

14 Nov, 2023

In the academic year 2022-23, there was a 35% surge in Indian students heading to the US

The influx of Indian students to the US surged by 35%, reaching a record high of 2,68,923 in the academic year 2022-23. Notably, India has overtaken China to become the largest host of international graduate students in the US for the first time since 2009-10.

The number of Indian graduate students exhibited remarkable growth, soaring by 63% to reach 1,65,936 students, marking an increase of almost 64,000 students compared to the previous year. Additionally, there was a 16% rise in the number of undergraduates.

India maintains its leading position as the prime origin for international students pursuing Optional Practical Training (OPT), with a modest 1% increase, as reported in the 2023 Open Doors Report, A yearly examination of international students in the United States reveals that China and India continue to maintain their positions as the leading two sources of international students at US educational institutions. However, while 53% of all international students in 2022-23 were from China and India, the market share for each origin has shifted, with 27% from China and 25% from India.

The count of students staying in the US for practical work experience after graduation on OPT increased by 8% to 198,793 students in 2022-23. This growth, of 14,034 students on OPT, follows a strong rebound in graduate student numbers from the preceding year and marks the end of two years of decline in OPT students during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As new international student cohorts, particularly graduate students, continue to grow post-pandemic, the number of OPT students is anticipated to escalate in the future.

Most primary origins of international students experienced rebounds, with 23 of the top 25 origins increasing, and 14 reverting to pre-pandemic enrollment levels. Additionally, 8 of the top 25 reached all-time highs, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain, as per the data.

With 1,057,188 foreign students attending US higher education institutions in 2022–2023—the total number of international students—including both enrolled and OPT students—crossed 1 million, almost back to pre-pandemic levels. This marks a 12% growth, the fastest rate in over 40 years (+12% in 1978-79).

The year-on-year growth of 108,000 international students studying at US higher education institutions stands as the largest in Open Doors history.

Open Doors 2023 incorporated international students enrolled at US higher education institutions in the United States and online from abroad, alongside those on OPT. About 95% of students were physically in the US for their studies. The representation of international students elevated to 6% of the total US higher education population.