By Kavita Mistry 
The U.S.-based Institute of International Education on Monday (November 17, 20250 released its 2025 annual report on international students in the United States of America for the years 2024-25, showing that India remained the leading place of origin for international students in the country, with over 3,60,000 students from India in the U.S. during this time, a 9.5% increase compared to the previous year.
The IIE’s Open Doors 2025 Report on International Educational Exchange noted that in 2024-25, there were a total of 1.17 million international students studying at institutions in the U.S., which marked a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Of this, India was the leading place of origin, followed by China and South Korea.
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The data, however, showed that the number of new international students in the country reduced by about 7% in 2024-25, with decreases in new enrolment at all levels except undergraduate, which saw a 5% rise in its numbers.
President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025, soon after the 2024-25 academic year began, following which, the administration’s changes to higher education and immigration laws have seen many international students raise concerns about not being able to or not willing to opt for the U.S. for higher education.
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The report, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, said that there were 3,63,019 international students from India in the U.S. during 2024-25, 49% of whom were graduate students, and 39% of whom were on their Optional Practical Training, where they work in a related field after their education.
In comparison, China, the second-leading place of origin, had 2,65,919 international students in the U.S., a 4% decline compared to the previous year.
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The data showed that during 2024-25, the number of graduate students from India in the U.S. dropped by about 9.5% and the number of students on OPT increased by 47%.
Data for undergraduate students from India in the U.S. showed that there were a little over 40,000 such students in 2024-25, marking an increase of about 11% compared to the previous year.
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The report’s data on fields of study opted by international students further showed that over 43% students from India were in Computer Science, with nearly 23% in Engineering, and about 11% in Business management. Overall, among international students, the report noted that 57% international students chose STEM fields, with one in every four studying math and computer science, and one in five studying engineering.
dian The report further noted that about 45 U.S. States registered an increase in the number of international students in 2024-25, adding that California, Texas, and New York saw the most. It also said that States like Texas, Illinois, and Missouri saw the highest increase in the number of international students. The report also noted that most international students, about 59%, studied at public institutions, with the fastest growth of about 8% seen in community colleges and master’s colleges and universities.