Student enrollments from India to the US hit a record high of 2.8 lakh in 2022-23, surpassing the pre-pandemic level. Indian student enrollment was the second largest, after China, accounting for more than 25 percent of the one million international students enrolled this year.
The Open Doors 2023 report from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and the Institute of International Education (IIE) found that 268,923 Indian students went to the US in 2022-2023, an increase 35% compared to the previous year. year, compared to 199,182 students in 2021-2022.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Indian student enrollment stood at 202,014 in 2018-19.
Most Preferred STEM Field by Indian Students
According to the latest data, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields continue to dominate as Indians’ favorite subjects. With over 41% of the total enrolled students opting for Mathematics/Computer Science in 2022-2023. 26.9 percent of the total enrolled Indian students opted for engineering and 11.6 percent preferred business/management.
Open Door Report 2023
Subjects such as education, humanities and social sciences were the least popular choices, with less than 1 per cent of students opting for each of the fields.
Most Indian students went to the United States for higher education
In the academic year 2022-23, of the 2.8 lakh enrolled Indian students, 165,936 students pursued higher education, representing the largest group. Following closely behind, 69,062 students engaged in optional practical training (OPT), thereby obtaining temporary employment directly related to their F-1 student’s major field of study. Additionally, nearly 32,000 students chose to pursue undergraduate courses, with the remaining students opting for non-degree programs.
Open Door Report 2023
“For all origin locations, India continues to be the highest priority for undergraduate and graduate recruitment,” the Open Doors 2023 report states.
In a notable change, for the first time since 2014-15, international student enrollment saw a widespread increase across all academic levels in the 2022-23 academic year. The most significant increase was seen in graduate student enrollment, with 467,027 international students actively pursuing a master’s, doctoral or professional degree, representing 21% year-over-year growth. Also notable is the resurgence in undergraduate student enrollment, marking a 1 percent year-over-year increase and ending a five-year trend of decline.
Beyond those actively enrolled in academic programs, an additional 198,793 students participated in Optional Practical Training (OPT). This program allows students to gain valuable practical work experiences after their university studies, showcasing a holistic approach to international education that encompasses both academic and professional development opportunities.
U.S. student enrollment fastest in 40 years
The latest report also reveals that 1,057,188 international students came to the United States during the 2022-2023 academic year, an increase of 12% from the previous academic year. This is the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years. International students represented 6 percent of the total higher education population in the United States and contributed nearly $38 billion to the U.S. economy, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
In 2022-23, 23 of the top 25 places of origin saw an increase in the number of international students in the United States. Eight countries, including India, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan and Spain, reached a record number of international students. Sub-Saharan Africa saw the highest regional growth of more than 18 percent year-on-year, with Ghana entering the top 25 for the first time with 6,468 international students.
Open Door Report 2023
Despite a slight decline of 0.2% year-over-year, China remains the leader in international student enrollment in the United States, with 289,526 students studying in the country during the same period.
“Students from around the world have chosen the United States as their first destination for their international studies. International education is a vehicle that promotes peace and cross-cultural connections and provides the tools needed to address the common challenges of our time,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Lee Satterfield.
Meanwhile, U.S. study abroad rebounded in the 2021-2022 academic year, reaching more than half of pre-pandemic levels, with 188,753 students pursuing opportunities abroad to obtain university credits. Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain and France remain the main destinations.