There is a 27.9% drop in total admissions of Indian students in the U.S. for the academic year 2024-25, but only a 13.5% drop in undergraduate admissions. This indicates that the Indian student population in the U.S. is holding up better in the undergraduate segment compared to other segments. The decrease in total admissions is more noticeable when compared to the number of undergraduate admissions. The total number of admissions, however, saw a post-pandemic surge between 2022-2024, reaching its highest point at around 35,934 in 2024. **Factors Contributing to the Decline**
There are several factors that are likely to contribute to the decline in total admissions of Indian students in the U.S. These include tightened visa policies, economic challenges, and competition from other countries. The current administration’s policies have also made it difficult for students to stay in the U.S., and the fear of deportation has reached its peak. A student who is currently working in the U.S. after pursuing his Master’s in the country, on the condition of anonymity, shared his experience. He stated that the U.S. has been a challenging space, with mass layoffs and uncertainty about his employment status. He expressed that the fear of deportation has made it difficult for students to stay in the U.S. **Differences in Trends Between Undergraduate and Total Admissions**
There are differences in the trends between undergraduate and total admissions. The number of undergraduate students dropped by only 13.5%, indicating that this segment of the Indian student population is holding up better. The total number of admissions, however, dropped by 27.9%, showing a sharper decline. **Forecast for the Coming Year**
Experts predict that the same trend will follow in the coming year, with undergraduate admissions not being affected as much as Master’s and Ph.D. The picture could stabilize in the coming two years with more clarity on Trump’s policies. Sanjay Laul, Founder of MSM Group, expressed his views on the situation. He stated that there are no chances of a huge dip in undergraduate education unless there are grave concerns regarding student security. With the number of wealthy families in India growing, they can afford to pay high fees without aid. Mr. Laul predicted that there could be a dip in undergraduate admissions this year, but it would be less in comparison to postgraduate admissions. He stated that the enrollment might grow once there is clarity on Trump’s policies. It would help to know what kind of students the U.S. seeks, and who would have pathways to jobs and permanent residency. Jayanthy Ramakrishnan, Head of Servicing, Galvanize Global Education, also predicted the same pattern. She stated that there may be a slight drop in undergraduate admissions, but it will be less in comparison to postgraduate admissions. She emphasized that the aid for undergraduate education is minimal, and high-income families are not price-conscious when seeking undergraduate education in the U.S. **Cost and Aid for Undergraduate Education**
Experts pointed out that high-income families are mostly concerned with undergraduate education in the U.S. due to the steep fees. There is a lack of substantial financial aid avenues for international students for undergraduate-level education when compared to Master’s or Ph.D. Mr. Laul stated that the cost of an undergraduate degree is much higher than the cost of an average graduate or master’s level programme in the U.S. Public universities in the U.S. cost around 30 thousand dollars per year, whereas private universities cost 40 thousand dollars per year. Specialized programmes in Theatre and other performing arts at high-ranking institutes cost up to 90 to 110 thousand dollars. Ms. Ramakrishnan emphasized that PG students are awarded merit-based scholarships as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or fellowships. The funding comes from the professor’s grant money or department money, which has reduced this year. UG scholarships for international students are mostly merit-based and generally in low numbers. Mr. Laul highlighted that aid for undergraduate students is minimal. Some institutes provide no financial aid at all for international students. Some institutions have financial aid that gets exhausted in the first few hundred applications. He stated that high-ranking, Ivy League institutes may provide more aid to students who are in need of financial support. Key Points to Consider
* The total number of Indian students in the U.S. has seen a 27.9% drop in admissions for the academic year 2024-25. * Only undergraduate admissions have seen a 13.5% drop, indicating that the Indian student population is holding up better in the undergraduate segment. * Tightened visa policies, economic challenges, and competition from other countries are likely contributing factors to the decline in total admissions. * The current administration’s policies have made it difficult for students to stay in the U.S., and the fear of deportation has reached its peak. * Experts predict that undergraduate admissions will not be affected as much as Master’s and Ph.D. in the coming year. * The cost of an undergraduate degree is much higher than the cost of an average graduate or master’s level programme in the U.S. * Aid for undergraduate students is minimal, with some institutions providing no financial aid at all. Conclusion
The Indian student population in the U.S. is facing a decline in admissions, with the total number of students dropping by 27.9% in the academic year 2024-25. However, undergraduate admissions have seen a smaller decline of 13.5%. The factors contributing to this decline include tightened visa policies, economic challenges, and competition from other countries. Experts predict that undergraduate admissions will not be affected as much as Master’s and Ph.D. in the coming year. The cost of an undergraduate degree is high, and aid for undergraduate students is minimal. As the U.S. continues to face challenges, it is essential to understand the factors affecting the Indian student population and to consider the implications for education.
