Why Over 360,000 Indians Prefer Studying in US Despite Visa Challenges

India remained the top country of origin for international students in the United States during the 2024–25 academic year, according to new data from the Institute of International Education. Over 360,000 Indian students studied in the US, showing a 9.5% increase from the previous year. Of these, 49% were enrolled in graduate programs and 39% were participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to gain work experience after graduation.

The total number of international students in the US during this period reached 1.17 million, with China and South Korea following India. However, China saw a 4% decline in student numbers, and new international enrolments overall fell by 7%, except for undergraduate programs, which rose by 5%.

Dr. Nirav Patel noted that Indian students are facing higher visa rejection rates, leading families to invest more in documentation, interviews, and travel costs. Many students are taking larger loans or choosing less preferred universities deemed safer for visas.

Sripal Jain explained that the current drop in new enrolments is a temporary adjustment due to visa delays and global mobility issues, not a decline in interest. The high number of ongoing OPT participants and rising undergraduate enrolments reflect continued demand.

Course preferences are shifting towards disciplines with clear job prospects like computer science, cybersecurity, finance, healthcare, and analytics. STEM subjects remain the most popular due to extended OPT opportunities. Many students are minimizing costs by starting at community colleges or applying to multiple countries as a backup.

Families are also adopting smarter funding methods, focusing on public universities, assistantships, and structured loans. Stronger documentation is being used to improve visa approval chances. Indian students continue to pursue US education, making more strategic and value-based decisions.

Indian students, US education, international students USA, OPT program, visa challenges