India Becomes Top Source of New U.S. International Students

India sent 44,715 new students to the U.S. in 2024, up 11.8 percent year-on-year, bringing its total to 206,698. For the first time, India's enrollment growth trajectory has outpaced China's stable 362,368 students. India's expanding workforce, limited university capacity at home, and employer demand for foreign degrees drive the shift. Whether growth continues depends on U.S. immigration policy tightening.