In a significant reversal, India has surpassed China in sending students to the United States for the first time since 2009. The Open Doors Report reveals a substantial 23% increase in Indian student enrollments, with 331,602 students in 2023/2024. This surge extends to various countries, with eight reaching record highs. International students enrich the academic landscape and contribute significantly to the US economy, with STEM fields being a popular choice.
In a remarkable shift, India has reclaimed the top spot for sending students to the United States, surpassing China for the first time since 2009. The latest findings from the Open Doors Report unveiled an impressive surge in Indian student enrolments, with 331,602 students venturing to pursue higher education in the U.S. during the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a substantial 23% increase from the previous year.
The rise in Indian enrollments was particularly pronounced in graduate programs, with 196,567 students, representing a 19% increase, and in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs, with 97,556 students, showing a remarkable 41% growth.
Despite a slight dip of 4%, China held onto its position as the second-largest source of international students, sending 277,398 students to the U.S. Chinese students remained predominant in undergraduate and non-degree programs, comprising 87,551 and 5,517 students, respectively. Noteworthy was the 12% increase in Chinese students pursuing OPT, reaching 61,552. Together, India and China accounted for over half of all international students in the U.S.
This surge in international students wasn't limited to India and China alone. Several other countries also witnessed substantial growth, with eight of the top 25 countries hitting record highs in sending students to the U.S., including Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain. Of note, Sub-Saharan Africa saw a remarkable 13% increase in student totals, marking the highest growth rate among all world regions for the second consecutive year, building on the previous year's 18% increase.
The recently released Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange highlighted a record-breaking number of international students at U.S. colleges and universities, surpassing 1.1 million in the 2023/2024 academic year, signifying a 7% increase from the previous year. The influx of new international students remained strong, with 298,705 new students in 2023/2024, aligning with the previous year's figures and pre-pandemic levels.
International students not only enrich the academic landscape but also significantly contribute to the U.S. economy, as highlighted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which reported a contribution of over $50 billion in 2023. The growing interest in U.S. education was further underscored by the 8% increase in international graduate students, reaching an all-time high of 502,291 students in 2023/2024. Additionally, a record number of international students opted to gain practical work experience through Optional Practical Training (OPT), with 242,782 students participating, a notable 22% increase from the previous year.
While the number of international undergraduates remained stable, showing a slight decrease of 1% from the previous year, the majority of international students across academic levels gravitated towards STEM fields of study, with 56% pursuing these disciplines. Among them, 25% focused on math and computer science, while 19% chose engineering as their area of study.
The increasing diversity of international students not only reflects a growing interest in U.S. education but also underscores the invaluable contributions they make to academic institutions and the broader economy.
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