Study in US: Math & computer science or Engineering; what subjects international students are opting?

As per the US Open Doors Report 2025, Indian students make up the highest international student enrolment with 3,63,019, followed by China, South Korea, Canada, Vietnam and Nepal.

Study Abroad in US | What international students are studying in United States?

Studying in the United States has long been a popular aspiration for Indian students, offering access to world-class universities, diverse academic programmes, and global career opportunities. According to the US Open Doors Report 2025, Indian students comprise the largest international student enrollment, with 363,019, followed by China, South Korea, Canada, Vietnam, and Nepal.

These students pursue higher education across a wide range of disciplines, reflecting both traditional preferences and emerging trends shaped by industry demand.

Understanding the most sought-after courses offers insight into the academic interests and career goals that drive this student community. Here is the list of the top fields of study preferred by international students in the US, and which courses got higher enrolment as compared to the previous year.

Field of Study	2023-24 Enrollment	2024-25 Enrollment
Math & computer science	280,922	305,377
Engineering	210,163	217,016
Business & management	159,810	159,857
Physical & life sciences	88,717	95,667
Social sciences	84,307	86,008
Fine & applied arts	54,159	49,542
Health professions	36,615	40,417
Communications & journalism	21,481	21,493
Other fields of study	190,516	202,389

The total enrollment across all listed fields for 2024-25 is 1,177,766 students, representing a 4.53 per cent increase from the 1,126,690 students enrolled in the 2023-24 academic session.

Also Read | These countries continue to draw Indian students

Math and computer science are the most popular fields by a significant margin, accounting for over a quarter of all international students. Health professions saw the largest percentage increase, with a 10.4 per cent change in enrollment. This is a substantial jump, indicating rising interest in this sector. Physical and life sciences also showed strong growth at 7.8 per cent. Fine and applied arts was the only field to see a decrease in enrollment, dropping by -8.5 per cent.

Also Read | H-1B Visa ‘Elimination’ Bill Explained: What’s changing for foreign workers in America?

Although enrolments from Indian and Chinese students have declined by 17 per cent, these two countries continue to represent the largest share of the international student population. However, the total number of international students in the US saw a 5 per cent increase in 2024-25 compared to the previous year, recording a figure of 11,77,766.

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The Donald Trump administration has created significant challenges for international students. It has revoked the visas of students associated with pro-Palestine protests and those involved in law enforcement proceedings. Additionally, earlier this year, the administration temporarily halted the scheduling of student visa interviews to implement social media vetting for applicants.