The International Educational Exchange (IIE) reported that India has become the largest source of international graduate students in the United States for the first time since 2009/10. The 2022/23 academic year saw an unprecedented surge in Indian students studying in the U.S., reaching an all-time high of 268,923, marking a substantial 35% increase from the previous year. Despite China maintaining its position as the top sending country with 289,526 students in the U.S., it experienced a marginal 0.2% year-on-year reduction.

The report highlighted that several countries, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain, also achieved record-high numbers of international students. India specifically retained its status as a priority for both undergraduate and graduate recruitment, with 70% of U.S. institutions focusing on undergraduate outreach and 80% prioritizing graduate outreach for Indian students.

In the 2022/23 academic year, the U.S. hosted over one million international students, showcasing a remarkable 12% increase compared to the previous year and marking the fastest growth rate in over four decades. Notably, this was the first time since 2014/15 that international student enrollment across all academic levels experienced an increase. Graduate student enrollment saw the most significant growth, with 467,027 international students pursuing master’s, doctorate, or professional degrees, representing a 21% year-over-year increase. Additionally, undergraduate student enrollment grew by 1% year-over-year, marking the first such increase in five years.

Reacting to these figures, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Lee Satterfield emphasized the global preference for the United States as a top destination for international study. He highlighted the role of international education in fostering peace, cross-cultural connections, and equipping students with tools to address shared challenges. Allan E. Goodman, the CEO of IIE, noted that the resurgence of international student numbers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, underscores the enduring appeal of the U.S. as the preferred destination for global students for over a century.