As another academic year approaches, thousands of Indian students are gearing up for higher education in the US. However, stricter US immigration policies are casting a shadow this year. Reports from US universities indicate student visa revocations and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the screening of visa applicants’ social media content.
Notwithstanding worries about tighter visa approvals, industry experts and university officials believe that the desire of Indian students to study in the US remains strong, especially in graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as programmes focused on artificial intelligence. The enduring appeal lies in the US’s unmatched research environments, global exposure, post-graduation employment prospects, and access to leading-edge industries.
“There has been an almost 2x increase in the many applied-AI programmes that universities have launched in the last two years. Traditional STEM programmes also remain relevant, with computer science, data science, and engineering in strong positions. All of these align well with employment opportunities. Business programmes with strong analytics or tech integration are also in demand,” says Akshay Chaturvedi, founder & CEO, of Leverage Edu, a firm that advises and supports students planning overseas education.
The US has continued to be the most popular study abroad destination for Indian students for several years. In the 2023-2024 academic year, over 331,000 Indian students were enrolled in US colleges and universities, a 23% increase from the previous year, according to the Open Doors report on international education. However, this year there are uncertainties around the immigration policies.
“Students are asking more questions than before about immigration policies, job prospects, and the broader political climate. The US is still seen as a top destination, but there’s a growing need for clarity around long-term pathways,” says Chaturvedi.
An interesting trend that has been reported by many consultants this year is that more students are seeking help from experts than earlier. Besides, despite a strong interest in US education, many students are also keeping a backup option ready because of the current unpredictability around US visas.
“The US is a sought-after destination for international education due to its academic reputation, state-of-the-art research facilities, industry-relevant programmes, access to quality education and a diverse network of opportunities. Students who are inclined towards the STEM fields tend to prefer the US as their first choice given its booming ecosystem,” says Piyush Kumar, regional director, South Asia and Mauritius, of educational support services company IDP Education. He adds that his year, due to certain destination narratives, there is a slight dip in student interest; but demand is expected to pick up in the coming months.
The post-study work opportunities in the US, with the three-year optional practical training (OPT) facility for STEM graduates, will continue to attract Indian students this year, feel experts. “The presence of global recruiters, Fortune 500 internships, startup ecosystems around US campuses, and curriculum flexibility, are a magnet for ambitious minds,” feels Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder and director of education consultancy Collegify. He adds that in his practice, there is a 22% rise in applications to the top 50 US universities this year, with a growing number opting for early decisions and early action to boost their chances. In view of the issues around US immigration policy, the advice to Indian students is careful planning.
“This is shaping up to be an unpredictable year on the immigration front, and I’m advising students to be proactive and strategic. They should apply for their visa as early as possible to allow room for contingencies, including potential reapplications. Second, they need to be meticulous with documentation and prepare thoroughly for the visa interview,” says Nistha Tripathi, founder of Scholar Strategy and 24NorthStar, specialised study abroad firms that help Indian students get into top global universities.
She also advises caution around online activity and posts or comments on politically sensitive topics that can raise red flags. “US immigration officers take social media and political affiliations seriously. So it’s advisable to keep your digital and real world footprint clean and focused on academics,” says Tripathi who has studied in US universities and worked in finance and tech startups in New York City before returning to India. With most Indian students seeking clarity on post-study work opportunities in the US, she advises them to start preparing for their job hunt from day one. “The US job market is highly competitive, and with rising H-1B work visa uncertainties, early preparation and networking can make a real difference.
Students should learn how the US job ecosystem works, be it LinkedIn branding, internships, or OPT timelines and start building their profile accordingly.” Students in India are being advised to kick off their application to US universities and visa application process early this year. “Considering the current narrative, we strongly recommend students take effective measures to demonstrate clear academic intent, stay informed about the local laws, abide by international student visa regulations, consult with trusted educational advisors, and ensure that the documentation is accurate,” says IDP Education’s Kumar.
Further, applicants are also being advised to have clarity about the programmes and universities that they choose. “US higher education has to be carefully planned and thought through in this era. The dynamics are interesting, but the long-term benefits of further education in the US continue to outscore everything else,” says Leverage Edu’s Chaturvedi.
Some of the buzzwords for students planning education in the US this year are adaptability, financial awareness, and cultural intelligence. “The US application is not about being the perfect candidate. It’s about being authentic and impact-driven,” feels Khandelwal from Collegify.
Given the tough stand on immigration policy by the administration this year, international students are turning to US universities for greater communication and support. Many universities are seeing a big increase in enquiries from Indian students. The University of Missouri-Kansas City, for instance, is seeing an increase in applications and enquiries from prospective students in India again this year. “Multiple directives from a new federal administration can be challenging to navigate as changes occur rapidly,” a UMKC spokesperson said adding that the university authorities will ensure that the international student affairs office is there as a resource to provide advice and information. “The university routinely communicates the importance of students maintaining their status by keeping documents up to date, travel guidelines and additional campus resources.”
While degree paths in UMKC’s school of science and engineering are popular among Indian students, there is also growing interest in non-STEM degree programmes in the school of humanities and social sciences, according to the spokesperson for the university. Some of the new degree programmes created by the university including eight new PhD programmes; a new MBA degree in business analytics, especially artificial intelligence or AI, and a master’s degree in legal studies, are also attracting Indian students.
The UMKC management believes that the upcoming autumn launch of a KC Streetcar stop directly at the university’s entrance, providing free transit to downtown Kansas City and the City Market, will be a major asset for its international students. The university has also received the prestigious Carnegie Research 1 classification recently, putting it in the top 6% of all research universities in the US.
According to recent trends and expert analysis, the most sought-after fields for higher education in the United States for Indian students in 2025 continue to be in high-growth, technology-driven, and health-related sectors. These include computer science and its specialisations such as AI and machine learning; cybersecurity; data science and analytics; robotics; engineering disciplines including computer engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering; health and biomedical sciences; business and finance related disciplines and environmental studies and sustainability.
