Students heading to US for studies shows a declining trend

Updated on: Saturday, November 17, 2012

The popularity of the US as a study destination for Indian students seems to be dwindling. According to the 2012 Open Doors Report released earlier this week, the number of Indian students heading to institutions in the US for studies continues to witness a decline for the second consecutive year. This, in spite of the fact that the number of international students at colleges and universities in the US increased by 6.5 per cent to 764,495 during 2011-12. At 100,270, this academic year witnessed a 3.5 per cent decline in the number of Indian students heading to US institutes than 2010-2011.

However, in spite of this, India continues to be the second leading place of origin (China holds the foremost position) for students going to the US. Of the total percentage of Indian students, who went to the US for studies in 2011-2012, 58.9 per cent went to pursue graduate level studies, 13 per cent undergraduate level, 26.7 per cent OPT (optional practical training) and 1.5 per cent went to study other programmes including non degree courses.

With 37.7 per cent, 21.7 per cent, and 14.1 per cent of the total Indian students enrolling for engineering, math/ computer science, and business/ management respectively, the three fields are the most popular streams of study among Indian students in the US.

According to the report, students from India make up approximately 13.1 per cent of the total foreign student population in the United States.

The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange is published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It provides the most comprehensive data and analysis available on international students studying in the US and Americans studying abroad.

Students heading to US for studies shows a declining trend

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