The dream of studying in the United States continues to be a major draw for Indian students, offering unparalleled access to top-tier universities and global career paths. The latest US Open Doors Report 2025 confirms this trend, highlighting that Indian students form the largest group of international scholars in the US, with a formidable enrollment of 363,019. They are followed by students from China, South Korea, Canada, Vietnam, and Nepal.
Top Fields of Study for International Students
The academic preferences of these students provide a clear window into global career aspirations. The data reveals a strong inclination towards STEM and business-related fields. Mathematics and Computer Science emerged as the undisputed leader, attracting a massive number of students.
Math and Computer Science is the most popular field by a significant margin, accounting for over a quarter of all international students. The enrollment in this sector grew from 280,922 in the 2023-24 academic session to 305,377 in 2024-25.
Engineering continues to be a strong second choice, with enrollments rising from 210,163 to 217,016.
Other fields also saw positive trends, with Business and Management remaining stable and Physical and Life Sciences showing strong growth. However, the field of Fine and Applied Arts experienced an 8.5 per cent decline in enrollment.
Health Professions See Highest Growth Rate
Among all the fields of study, Health Professions witnessed the largest percentage increase, with a remarkable 10.4 per cent jump in enrollment. The number of students in this field rose from 36,615 to 40,417, indicating a surging interest in healthcare careers globally.
Physical and Life Sciences also showed robust growth at 7.8 per cent, with enrollments increasing from 88,717 to 95,667.
Overall Enrollment and Policy Challenges
The total number of international students in the US saw a 5 per cent increase in 2024-25 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 1,177,766 students. This overall growth comes despite a reported 17 per cent decline in enrollments from both Indian and Chinese students, who nevertheless continue to represent the largest share of the international student population.
The report's findings are set against a backdrop of policy changes under the Donald Trump administration, which have created significant challenges for international students. These include the revocation of visas for students associated with pro-Palestine protests and those involved in law enforcement proceedings. Earlier this year, the administration also temporarily halted the scheduling of student visa interviews to implement social media vetting for applicants.
Despite these hurdles, the appeal of an American education remains potent, with Indian students leading the charge into the future's most promising careers.
