Fact Check: Indian students make up over 25% of foreign students in the US.

Fact Check: "Indian students make up over 25% of foreign students in the US."

What We Know

Recent data indicates that Indian students indeed constitute a significant portion of the international student population in the United States. According to the Open Doors Report released in November 2023, Indian students accounted for more than 25% of the over one million foreign students studying in the U.S. This report highlighted that the number of Indian students reached an all-time high of 268,923 during the academic year 2022-23, marking a 35% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the report noted that Indian students surpassed Chinese students to become the largest group of international graduate students in the U.S. for the first time since the 2009-10 academic year.

Analysis

The claim that Indian students make up over 25% of foreign students in the U.S. is supported by credible data from the Open Doors Report, which is published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. This report is a well-respected source in the field of international education and has been compiling data on international students in the U.S. since 1919.

Moreover, the SEVIS data analyzed by Boston College Professor Chris R. Glass also provides context to the trends in international student enrollment, noting a significant decline in the overall number of international students, but emphasizing that Indian students still represent a large segment of this population. Although there has been a decline in the number of Indian students (almost 28% from March 2024 to March 2025), the total number of Indian students remains substantial, reinforcing the claim that they constitute over 25% of the international student body.

Other sources, such as a New York Times article, corroborate this information by stating that approximately a third of foreign students in U.S. schools are from India, which aligns with the data presented in the Open Doors Report. This consistency across multiple reputable sources strengthens the reliability of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Indian students make up over 25% of foreign students in the U.S. is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including the Open Doors Report and SEVIS data. The significant increase in the number of Indian students pursuing higher education in the U.S., along with their representation exceeding 25% of the total international student population, confirms the accuracy of the statement.

Fact Check: Indian students make up over 25% of foreign students in the US.