Study Abroad Shake-Up Indian enrolment at US universities drops 45%

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Indian student enrolment at U.S. universities has witnessed a sharp 45 percent decline in August 2025, signalling a major shift in overseas education preferences and triggering concern across global education services, visa policy circles and career planning networks.

According to the 2025 Application Trends Survey released by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the drop is largely attributed to persistent visa uncertainty, rising tuition and living costs, processing delays and limited clarity around post-study work opportunities. The findings suggest that many Indian students are reconsidering the long-held aspiration of pursuing higher education in the United States.

The survey indicates that a significant number of students who had secured admissions and even paid deposits were unable to commence their programmes on schedule due to student visa backlogs and policy-related uncertainties. Nearly 90 percent of U.S. institutions reported that admitted Indian candidates did not matriculate despite confirmed offers, mainly because of visa processing delays and denials.

At the same time, the report highlights a 25 percent rise in international applications to Indian graduate management programmes. This trend suggests that students are increasingly exploring opportunities within Asia, continental Europe, or choosing to remain in India for advanced degrees. Preference for U.S. institutions has declined to 42 percent in 2025, compared to 57 percent in 2019, reflecting a steady change in sentiment over recent years.

Financial pressures are also playing a key role. The depreciation of the Indian rupee has made overseas education more expensive, while uncertainty surrounding employment pathways such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) has further complicated decision-making for students planning long-term careers abroad.

Online discussions reveal growing frustration among students and families. Many have expressed concern over prolonged visa interview wait times, lack of clarity from immigration authorities, and unpredictability in embassy processes. Some prospective applicants have reportedly shifted plans to countries such as Germany and Singapore, while others are opting for reputed Indian institutions.

The developments underscore how visa policies and global mobility trends are now as influential as academic reputation in shaping study-abroad decisions, challenging the traditional dominance of U.S. universities among Indian students.