The “American Dream” for international students is changing. While fewer new students are arriving to study in the US, more are choosing to stay after graduation to gain work experience, reshaping the landscape of global education.
In the 2024–25 academic year, there were 1,177,766 international students in the US, a 4.5% increase from the previous year, even though new student enrollments fell by 7.2%.
Much of this growth comes from graduates participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows them to work in the country after completing their studies. The number of students on OPT rose from 242,782 to 294,253.
India continues to lead as the top source of international students, with 363,019 Indian students, up from 331,602 last year, making up nearly 31% of all international students. While undergraduate numbers are rising, graduate enrollments have dipped. However, more Indian students are taking part in OPT programs, with numbers soaring 47% to 143,740.
Experts say the focus is shifting where studying in the U.S. is now as much about working and building a future as it is about education.
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