Enrolments from China, India, and Saudi Arabia accounted for 81 percent of the 8 percent overall annual growth of international students in the US between 2013 and 2014, according to the latest Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors data. According to WES’ segmentation study, students from China are most likely to have the financial means to afford a US education. Saudi students also have high financial resources but they are more likely to be supported by Government-funded scholarships, while Indian students are the most likely to rely on loans and institutional financial aid.

In contrast to the traditional value-for-money orientation of Indian Strivers, a new emerging segment of Indian Highfliers will be more inclined to seek quality of experience over other considerations when applying to US universities, according to Mr Choudaha. Attributing the emergence of the Indian Highflier market to economic growth and associated changes in Indian society, Mr Choudaha says Highfliers will not be as financially constrained as Strivers and will be ready to invest in fields of study beyond STEM degrees.