The American Dream seems to be losing its shine among Indian students.
In a surprising turn of events, within just one month of Donald Trump’s return to the political spotlight,
Indian student applications to US universities have dropped by a significant 30%.
Rising Fear Among Students and Parents
Education consultants across India are reporting a sharp change in mindset among aspiring students and their families.
Memories of Trump’s previous tenure — marked by strict visa policies, increased immigration hurdles,
and reduced post-study opportunities — are causing fresh anxiety.
“Students are afraid they’ll spend lakhs or crores and still not get the visa or job opportunities they dream of,” said a senior counselor from a top consultancy in New Delhi.
Adding further, another education expert stated:
“I believe this will hurt America even more, because Indian students contribute significantly to its economy and innovation.”
This growing fear is not just emotional — it’s strategic.
Students are beginning to calculate the return on investment (ROI) of studying abroad,
and many feel the risks are once again becoming too high in the United States.
Impact on US Universities
The decline in interest is already being felt at several American universities, particularly those that heavily rely on international students for both cultural diversity and economic support.
Courses in STEM fields, business management, and computer science, which traditionally see high numbers of Indian students, are now seeing lower inquiries and fewer application submissions.
An official from an Ivy League university mentioned anonymously,
“We are seeing early signs of hesitation among Indian students, which could have a major impact on our enrollment numbers this fall.”
Rise of Alternative Destinations
While the US faces growing uncertainty, countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom are benefitting from the shift.
These nations are offering clearer immigration policies, better post-study work visas, and friendlier international student support systems.
As one student from Mumbai preparing for higher studies shared,
“I had planned for the US, but now I’m leaning towards Canada. It feels safer and more predictable for my future.”
This trend could further intensify if Trump continues to influence American immigration policy or officially regains office.
What This Means for the Future
Experts warn that this dip in Indian student numbers could severely impact the American education sector, which earns billions of dollars annually from international students.
Moreover, the long-term impact on the US tech industry, healthcare, and research sectors — all of which heavily depend on Indian talent — could be significant.
If the United States continues down a restrictive immigration path, it may lose out on some of the brightest minds globally — a loss that would be difficult to recover from.
Conclusion
The message from India’s student community is clear:
They are no longer willing to gamble their futures in an uncertain America.
If immediate steps are not taken to rebuild trust and provide safer, more reliable pathways for international students, the US could soon find itself losing a generation of global talent — and the ripple effects could impact its economy, innovation, and global leadership for years to come.