Indian students top US foreign enrolments again
India has retained its position as the largest source of international students in the United States for the second consecutive year, according to the Open Doors Report 2025 released by the Institute of International Education.
Indian students form 30% of all foreign enrolments
The data, compiled for the 2024–25 academic year, shows that 3.63 lakh Indian students were enrolled in US institutions, up 10% from 3.30 lakh in 2023–24. Indians now account for 30.8% of all foreign students in the US.
China, which had held the top position for many years, was overtaken by India in 2023–24. The report notes that Chinese enrolments fell 4% in 2024–25, while Indian numbers continued to rise.
Report covers August 2024 to May 2025 admissions
US universities consider the academic year from August to May. The latest report is based on admissions from August 2024 to May 2025, covering the fall-to-summer cycle.
A significant share of Indian students typically joins during the fall intake beginning in August and September. The report also clarifies that the 2024 fall admissions preceded Donald Trump’s return to the presidency; any impact of immigration-policy changes will reflect only in the next cycle.
Fall 2025 expected to show decline
A preliminary survey cited in the report indicates an estimated 17% fall in total international student enrolments for the 2025 fall season. Enrolments from India may have dropped by as much as 40%, though final figures will be confirmed in the Open Doors Report 2026 to be published in November next year.
Master’s admissions see steep drop
Despite overall growth in foreign students already in the US, new admissions during the 2024 fall term declined. Only 2,77,118 new students entered US institutions in fall 2024 a 7% drop from fall 2023.
Undergraduate enrolments rose 5%, but admissions to master’s programmes fell 15%, the report added.
