An American graduate degree continues to be highly sought after by Indian students despite worries about a rising number of them returning home after failing to secure decent jobs and the costly fees, this trend is likely to continue in 2025 as well, according to experts.Economic uncertainties in the US are weighing on job opportunities. However, consultants say the allure of an American degree persists among Indian students, largely due to US policies that provide clarity on the return on investment of a graduation degree, American universities casting a wider net by offering best-in-class scholarships, and alternative destinations tackling their own issues of tighter immigration policy and geopolitical tensions.With tuition fees ranging between $30,000 and $80,000 annually, US graduation school education comes with a hefty price tag.Although 65-70% of graduating students secured jobs in 2022, the figure declined to 60% in 2023, with projections for 2024 even more sombre at 55%, notes Adarsh Khandelwal, cofounder of Collegify, a study abroad company.116546128"USA becomes most convenient, especially because of the number of options that exist, and also because other destinations like Canada, Australia, Europe are going through their own problems," he said. He however believes that the scenario is unlikely to change despite Donald Trump's victory in the US Presidential poll. Trump has made known his anti-immigrant stance during the poll campaign, giving rise to fears about visa rule changes and post-study job opportunities for graduates. But most study abroad consultants are optimistic of little impact on Indian students heading to the US."They may stagnate due to stricter visa policies, limited optional practical training extensions and slower economic recovery," said Khandelwal. Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits, a study abroad platform, highlighted how American policies introduced under the Biden administration such as the Gainful Employment Rule and Financial Value Transparency Framework aimed at establishing safeguards against unaffordable debt or insufficient earnings for postsecondary students will help reshape decisions for those seeking to study in the US."Now, universities will have to be transparent about their graduates' outcomes-what kind of jobs they're getting, what salaries they're commanding. This helps students make much more informed decisions about their investments," he explained.For Indian students, the US remains the top destination for postgraduate education, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Highlighting the role of the OPT visa, Khandelwal said it gives students with up to three years of work authorisation in STEM fields, easing their transition into the workforce."Graduates from US universities often secure roles in cutting-edge industries like AI, healthcare, and fintech, with starting salaries exceeding $90,000 annually," he said. Technology-driven fields dominate Indian students' choices. "Over 70% of Indian applicants are opting for technology-based courses like AI, data science, and information systems," says Jain at ForeignAdmits. Computer science alone attracted 108,438 Indian students in 2023. Business and management courses also remain popular, offering steady career opportunities in areas like fintech and consulting. The prestige of a US degree also accelerates career growth globally.