U.S. education faces turbulence

Indian student pipeline to the U.S. is shrinking due to visa delays, H-1B uncertainty, and safety concerns

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Despite retaining the title as the largest source of international students for the United States, the traditional pipeline of Indian students to U.S. colleges is showing significant signs of strain. New data indicates a sharp 17% plunge in new international student enrollments nationwide, a decline that is being disproportionately driven by wavering confidence among prospective Indian applicants.

The core of the paradox lies in the numbers: while the total number of Indian students in the U.S. remains high, even growing by about 10% in the 2024-25 academic year, the rate of new arrivals has plummeted. Universities overwhelmingly cite visa uncertainty, tightening work-visa routes, and a perceived unwelcoming political climate as the reasons deterring the next cohort.

Graduate enrollment

The decline is most acute in the sector traditionally dominated by Indian students: postgraduate programs. New enrollment in graduate-level courses, typically pursued by those aiming for a career in U.S. STEM fields, saw a drop of nearly 10% from India.