According to the Open Doors Report, 2018 released by the Institute of International Education (IIE), Indian students enrolling in the US for higher education in 2017-18 has grown by 5.4%.
Despite this, The US is witnessing a significantly decreased rate in the influx of International students. Around 1.97 lakh Indian students went to the US for higher education in 2017-18 against 1.86 lakh in 2016-17.
The growth rate in the year 2014-2015 was a record high at 29.4%. Since then the rate has considerably decreased to 12.3% in 2016-2017. This year, the students opting for master’s course has decreased by 8.8% while that if undergraduates have risen by 6.2%.
The ‘2018 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange’ stated that around 73 percent of students from India are enrolled in math/computer science and Engineering. On the other hand, management and physical science constitute 10 percent and 8 percent respectively.
Along with the usual courses, some unconventional courses like geophysics, marine engineering, game design, and development are also gaining popularity among international students.
“The flexibility in our education system allows us to come up with the new kinds of programmes. And, when we see the growing demand for them then we also upgrade it,” said Karl Adam, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer”, US Embassy.
According to the report, New York, California, Illinois, Texas, and Massachusetts are the top five receiving states for Indian students.
“Expanding access to opportunity through international education helps us build stronger ties across the world,” said Allan E. Goodman, president, and CEO of IIE. He further stated that international students have got more choices than before on where to pursue higher education.
Open Doors is published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), which has been conducting an annual statistical survey on international students in the US since 1919.