Indian Students Weigh Cost of Dreams Abroad

For many middle-class Indian students, the aspiration to study abroad is increasingly clouded by financial anxieties. Pragati Priya, a 29-year-old content creator from Jharkhand, is set to study global economic affairs in Rome this September. However, the Indian rupee's substantial depreciation against the euro has drastically increased the amount she needs to borrow, causing sleepless nights over potential unmanageable student loan debt.

This situation mirrors the challenges faced by over 1.2 million Indian students who pursued higher education overseas in 2025, making India the largest source of international students. Yet, a combination of currency devaluation, uncertain job prospects in North America and Europe, and more stringent visa regulations is prompting a re-evaluation of the value proposition of incurring significant debt for international degrees. Some, like Priya, are only able to proceed due to family support, a luxury not afforded to all, leading to a noticeable dip in enrollment for the upcoming academic term.