For years, the United States has been one of the biggest draws for Indian students dreaming of a global education and career. But for India’s Gen Z, America may no longer be the obvious choice it once was.
Young Indians are increasingly looking at Europe, Australia and even internationally ranked programs within India as they weigh the rising cost of studying in the US against visa uncertainty and the difficulty of building a long-term future there.
One 19-year-old male from Delhi captured that change in thinking in a recent survey.
“At first, I used to think about America a lot, but now I’m shifting more towards Europe or Australia. Basically, getting a visa and then getting a green card in the US is way tougher.”
His concern reflects a broader shift among young Indians who are no longer considering just the quality or reputation of a foreign university. They are also asking what happens after graduation, how much the degree will cost and whether they will realistically be able to remain in the country.
For some, the financial burden is just as important as immigration.
“Because I realised it’s really hard to take loan and pay it back in time and everything, it would all be good if I had financial backup, but just in case my plan doesn’t work out, I might have problems paying back student loan,” a 19-year-old pre-college male from Kolkata said.
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The findings come from Emeritus’ latest research, which surveyed more than 1,000 Indians between the ages of 15 and 28 across three stages of life: pre-college, transitioning and early career.
The survey found that 48% of respondents have become less interested in studying abroad. Among prospective study-abroad applicants, 35% still consider the U.S., but 42% said their interest in America has declined over the past year.
The reasons are revealing. Among those whose interest in studying abroad has fallen, 41% cited the high cost of education. Another 34% pointed to stricter visa and immigration policies, while 31% said a lack of family support was influencing their decision.
That combination is changing how India’s young population views the traditional American education route.
The U.S. still has a powerful pull because of its universities, technology industry and career opportunities. But getting into the country is only one part of the calculation. For students thinking years ahead, the uncertainty surrounding visas, employment and permanent residency can make the U.S. look less attractive than it did to previous generations.
The shift is also creating an unexpected alternative: staying in India while pursuing a globally recognized education.
Ashwin Damera, CEO of Eruditus and Emeritus, said the research shows that India itself is increasingly entering the consideration set for students who might once have looked abroad first.
“For the first time, India is on the consideration list for higher education. The moment of stay in India, build in India, innovate in India is becoming a reality,” Damera said.
The survey found that 92% of transitioning students would consider a globally ranked university program in India. Overall, 68% of respondents said they were open to internationally ranked programs based in India, while 69% of transitioning students said they would actively prefer an India-based international program to avoid visa uncertainty.
That could be significant for the U.S. Indian students have long been an important part of America’s international student population, particularly in graduate programs and technology-related fields. If more young Indians begin deciding that they can get a global education without leaving home, American universities could face a different kind of competition.
The research also suggests that the change is part of a broader shift in how India’s Gen Z approaches education and careers.
Damera said 82% of respondents use AI tools at least weekly to learn or develop new skills. Meanwhile, 74% prioritize work-life balance over leadership titles and 79% want their careers to make a positive contribution to the environment.
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The findings challenge the idea that Gen Z is simply less ambitious or unwilling to work hard. Instead, young Indians appear to be redefining what a successful career looks like.
Around 72% said they value meaningful work over rapid advancement, while 72% believe individual contributors can achieve the same success as traditional leaders. Some 71% are comfortable taking career breaks or making career pivots, and 62% said they are unwilling to sacrifice their personal lives for their careers.
For the U.S., that changing mindset could matter.
A generation that values flexibility, financial security and work-life balance may be less willing to take on massive education loans or navigate years of immigration uncertainty simply for the chance to build a life in America.
The U.S. is still on the list for India’s young students. But it may no longer be at the top of the list by default.
For many, the question is no longer simply, “Can I study in America?”
It is increasingly becoming, “Is America still worth it?”