For the second consecutive year, India has remained the leading source of international students in the US. India had 3.30 lakh students in the 2023–24 academic year. The number increased to 3.63 lakh in 2024–25, keeping India in the first position. In 2023–24, India overtook China, which had held the top spot for a large number of years. India stayed ahead in 2024–25 as well.
The number of Indian students increased by 10 percent as compared to the previous year, and Chinese students saw a 4 percent decline. The figures have emerged in the Open Doors Report 2025 published by the Institute of International Education, US.
Statistics Up to May 2025
- The US academic year runs from August to May. The latest report uses data from the 2024-25 academic year. It includes only admissions from August 2024 to May 2025. Most Indian students join US universities during the fall intake, which begins around August or September.
- Donald Trump had not assumed the role of US President during the fall 2024 intake. His policies and restrictions influenced the fall 2025 intake. The impact will show up in the 2026 report, due in November next year. Preliminary surveys indicate a 17 percent decrease in foreign student admissions in the fall 2025 season. Unofficial estimates indicate that India might have suffered a 40 percent decline.
International Student Admissions Dropped 7 Percent in Fall 2024
- The report indicates an increase in the total number of foreign students in the US, while new admissions declined during the fall 2024 season. The country received a total of 2,77,118 new international students, down 7 percent from the fall 2023 intake.
- Admissions of undergraduates increased by 5 percent, while master's admissions declined by 15 percent.
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