Thousands of Indian students travel to the United States every year with dreams of achieving the so-called “American Dream.” They invest heavily in higher education abroad, often funded by massive loans, in the hope that a U.S. degree will lead to lucrative jobs and financial stability. However, the ground reality is starkly different, with many graduates returning to India burdened by debt and minimal job prospects.
Rising Debt and Limited Opportunities
A recent case shared on social media by an Indian-origin tech worker in San Francisco highlights the growing crisis. According to her post, the brother of her friend pursued higher education in the U.S. with the help of a ₹50 lakh education loan. Despite completing his degree, he was unable to secure employment in America’s competitive job market. Left with no other option, he returned to Mumbai, where he is currently working in a low-paying job earning around ₹20,000 per month.
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The student’s father, now retired, has been forced to shoulder the responsibility of repaying the massive loan. Stories like this are increasingly common, with many Indian families bearing the brunt of heavy financial commitments even as their children return empty-handed.
Cracks in the ‘American Dream’
The U.S. remains the top destination for Indian students, with nearly 300,000 enrolled in American universities as of 2024. Yet, experts note that employment opportunities have become more challenging due to stricter visa rules, a cooling tech industry, and increasing competition from local graduates. The reality that universities often avoid highlighting is that a degree does not guarantee a job in the U.S., leaving students vulnerable.
For families in India, this means that the dream of overseas success can quickly turn into a nightmare of debt. Many students are forced to take up underpaid jobs upon returning home, while their families continue to repay education loans that stretch into decades.
This growing trend has raised questions about the sustainability of high-cost overseas education and whether Indian students should reconsider their choices amid shifting economic realities in the U.S.