India, China make up nearly half of international students in US

India and China, the two most populated countries in the world, account for nearly half of the international students pursuing higher education in the US, a report said on Monday.

The number of students, who belong to the two economic giants, increased to 436,928 enrolled in various educational programmes in the US during 2014-15.

"In 2014-15, India and China together accounted for 67 percent of the total increase in international students and they now constitute nearly 45 percent of the total number of international students in US higher education," said the 'Open Doors' report on international educational exchange.

China remained the top country of origin of global students in the US, increasing by 11 percent to 304,040 during 2014-15, while India's growth outpaced China's with students from India growing by 29.4 percent to 132,888.

The total number of international students in the US accelerated by 10 percent to 974,926 during the year under review, the report revealed.

Students from India in the US study primarily at the graduate level, with 64 percent at the graduate level in 2014-15, 12 percent enrolled at the undergraduate level, 22 percent pursuing optional practical training, and one percent in non-degree programs such as English language or short-term studies.

The report is annually published by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.