The Open Doors Report 2025, released by the Institute of International Education (IIE), presents a mixed picture for international education in the United States. While new international student enrolments recorded a significant 17% decline in Fall 2025, Indian students continued to lead as the largest international student community in the country for the second consecutive year.
However, the rise in Indian student numbers is not the result of new visas or fresh arrivals. Instead, the overall growth is driven mainly by a sharp increase in Optional Practical Training (OPT) participation.
India Remains No.1, But New Enrolments Decline
India retained its position as the top source of international students in the US in the academic year 2024–25, surpassing China. But experts caution against interpreting this as a surge in new admissions.
Key Figures
- New international enrolments (Fall 2025): 17% decline
- New international enrolments (Fall 2024): 7% decline
- New graduate student enrolments: 15% decline
- Indian graduate enrolments: 9.5% decline (from 1,96,567 to 1,77,892)
Higher education adviser Diya Dutt explains that the growth in Indian numbers is largely due to students already studying in the US who have progressed into OPT or multi-year programmes.
“The rise reflects continued academic pathways, not an increase in new visa issuance,” she notes.
OPT Numbers Rise by 47%, Driving Overall Growth
The most notable shift in the 2025 report is the dramatic increase in Optional Practical Training participation.
OPT Trends
- 2023–24: 97,556 students
- 2024–25: 1,43,740 students
- 47% increase in just one year
This surge has significantly boosted the total number of Indian students in the US, even as new admissions fall. OPT remains a key factor for Indian families evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of a US degree.
81.7% of Indian Students Now in Doctorate-Granting Institutions
The report highlights that 81.7% of Indian students are enrolled in doctorate-granting universities. This trend, however, does not reflect an increased interest in PhD programmes. Instead, it is driven by the fact that STEM master’s degrees are commonly offered within research-intensive institutions.
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Why Students Prefer These Universities
- Advanced research facilities
- Tuition waivers and funding opportunities
- Strong industry partnerships
- Better internship and job prospects
- Access to 36-month STEM OPT extension
STEM Continues to Dominate
- Math and Computer Science: 3,05,377 international enrolments
- Higher than the combined total of engineering, business, health, social sciences, arts, and English programmes
- Popular fields for Indian students include:
- AI and Machine Learning
- Data Analytics
- FinTech
- Software Engineering
- Supply Chain Analytics
These programmes offer stronger career pathways and longer post-study work opportunities, making them preferred choices.
OPT as the Core ROI Factor for Indian Families
A recent IFP/NAFSA survey found that 54% of international graduate students would not choose the US without OPT. For Indian parents and students, the OPT work period — especially the extended 36-month STEM OPT — is a crucial decision-making factor.
However, proposed legislation to restrict or reduce OPT benefits has raised concerns about future international student flows to the US.
Growing Competition From Other Countries
More Indian students are now considering alternative destinations that offer clearer post-study work pathways, including:
- Germany
- Ireland
- France
- Japan
- South Korea
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Hong Kong
These countries are positioning themselves as more affordable and employment-friendly, challenging the US’s traditional dominance.
Future Outlook: Growth May Not Sustain
The report signals caution for the years ahead. While the US continues to benefit from its strong research ecosystem and globally recognised degrees, several challenges could slow the momentum:
- Increasing costs of higher education
- More stringent visa scrutiny
- A 12.2% drop in new Indian graduate enrolments
- Rising global competition
- Potential restrictions on OPT
According to C. Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University:
“This shift presents an opportunity for India to strengthen its undergraduate education system, while using short-term exchanges and postgraduate research opportunities to support international exposure.”
Conclusion
The Open Doors Report 2025 clearly shows that while Indian students remain the largest international group in the US, the trend is not driven by new arrivals, but by students already in the system and a strong reliance on OPT pathways.
With global competition increasing and US policies tightening, the current growth may not be sustainable in the long term.
