Is Studying Abroad Still Worth? ROI, Jobs & Reality Check For Indian Students
Topics covered
- 5 min
- Published: 13 May 2026
- Updated: 12 May 2026
Not too long ago, studying abroad for Indian students was the dream—one that allowed them to pursue a course at a top international university, find a job in the country after course completion, and eventually get a PR to stay there long-term. All of this sounded absolutely surreal, too!
And with existing trends, things seem to have changed; almost immediately and drastically too. Students seem to be spending lakhs of rupees to study abroad and yet return to India without a job. Many couldn’t even reach that stage because their visa applications were rejected. Their dream, which seemed achievable a couple of years ago, now seems remotely possible.
Instead of searching online for “top study abroad destinations” and “best universities abroad”, Indian students are now asking the most relevant question of the times — ”Is studying abroad now even worth it?” And, they are not wrong. This is why we help you get a reality check on the current situation so you can make a well-informed decision about your future.
What Changed and How It Impacted Indian Students
Let’s begin by taking a close look at what seems to have shifted over the years: students from India are now thinking long and hard about studying abroad and whether it is even worthwhile. Undeniably, some genuine, significant changes have come about, which have inevitably had a considerable impact on Indian students.
Top Study Abroad Destinations | What Changed | How it Affected Indian Students |
USA | The F-1 visa rejection rate spiked to a 10-year high in 2025. Official US data show that students from South Asian countries are more likely to be rejected for visas than other applicants. | 61% of Indian students were rejected for F-1 visas in 2025. |
UK | Graduate Route Visa allowing post-study work in the country: duration reduced from 24 months to 18 months (w.e.f. Jan 1, 2027). The financial requirements for a student visa have increased. Only PhD students are permitted to bring dependents to the UK. Stricter sponsor compliance. | Tougher to apply for post-study work and reduced sponsor time for jobs. Stricter financial eligibility criteria make it difficult for Indian students from the middle-income group to apply. UG and Master’s students now find the UK less attractive to apply to, as they cannot bring their spouse/family. |
Canada | Study permit capped for Indian students at 408,000 in 2026. This includes new study visas as well as extensions for current students in Canada. | International student intake affected. This further impacted the Temporary Resident population in Canada. |
Australia | Effective Jan 8, 2026, India has been moved to the highest student visa risk category. | Study visa applicants from India now face tighter scrutiny from Australian immigration authorities. It also means relatively longer visa processing times and lesser scope for mistakes. |
Source: https://www.idp.com/india/blog/visa-rules-for-internaional-students-uk/
Related source: https://monitor.icef.com/2026/04/visa-rejections-climb-in-the-us-for-international-students-from-key-markets-including-india/
https://thefederal.com/category/international/canada-2026-study-permit-cuts-indian-students-affected-218138
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/study-abroad/is-australian-study-abroad-dream-on-thin-ice-heres-what-moving-to-highest-visa-risk-category-means-for-indian-students/
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A Quick ROI Check on Studying Abroad for Indian Students: Country-Wise Evaluation
One of the best ways to address your concerns and put your anxiety about studying abroad to rest is to do a quick, thorough check of the overall return on investment (ROI) of studying abroad. This helps give Indian students a clearer picture of what to expect after completing their costly study program overseas, and which countries are worth the heavy investment and which aren’t.
Countries | Average Cost of Studying (Approx) | Post-Study Visa | Average Salary for Graduates (Approx) |
Australia | AUD 25,000 - AUD 40,000 per annum | 2-3 years | AUD 65,000 - AUD 237,500 per annum |
UK | GBP 10,000 - GBP 24,000 per annum | 1.5 years | GBP 25,000 - GBP 56,0000 per annum |
New Zealand | NZD 4,100 - NZD 6,488 per annum | Up to 3 years | NZD 50,000 - NZD 65,000 per annum |
Ireland | EUR 10,000 - EUR 25,000 per annum | 1-2 years | NZD 25,000 - NZD 36,000 per annum |
Malaysia | RM 12,000 - RM 75,000 per annum | 1 year | RM 8,803 - RM 11,499 per annum |
Canada | CAD 13,000 - CAD 35,000 per annum | Up to 3 years | CAD 41,000 - CAD 74,000 per annum |
USA | USD 8,000 - USD 55,000 per annum | 1 year | USD 59,000 - USD 100,000 per annum |
Sources: https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-australia/cost-of-study/
https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-uk/cost-of-study/
https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-ireland/cost-of-study/
https://www.idp.com/study-abroad/study-in-malaysia/
https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-canada/cost-of-study/
https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-usa/cost-of-study/
Related sources: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/post-higher-education-work https://www.torrens.edu.au/studying-with-us/international-students/studying-in-australia/india
https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/london-united-kingdom-student-salary-SRCH_IL.0,21_IM1035_KO22,29.htm
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/getting-started/study-and-living-costs/study-costs/international-tuition-fees
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/post-study-work-visa/
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/auckland-new-zealand-graduate-student-salary-SRCH_IL.0,20_IM1178_KO21,37.htm
https://ie.iasservices.org.uk/graduate-visa-ireland/
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/dublin-ireland-graduate-student-salary-SRCH_IL.0,14_IM1052_KO15,31.htm
https://monitor.icef.com/2024/02/malaysia-opens-new-post-study-visa-option-for-degree-graduates/
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/kuala-lumpur-malaysia-students-salary-SRCH_IL.0,21_IM1100_KO22,30.htm
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/canada-fresher-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IN3_KO7,14.htm
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/los-angeles-ca-united-states-working-student-salary-SRCH_IL.0,28_IM508_KO29,44.htm
Disclaimer: All figures are indicative and used for reference purposes only.
When is Studying Abroad Actually Worth it (And When it Isn’t)
We took a detailed look at the ROI prospects of studying in various top countries abroad to help you get a clearer picture of your future path. It also helps to have an overview of the pros and cons of studying abroad and to determine exactly when it would make sense for Indian students to study abroad in 2026 (and when it wouldn’t).
When Is It Worth It?
When choosing a field of study, opt for disciplines in high global demand, such as data science, computer science, engineering, nursing, and healthcare. These generally have stronger market demand than humanities or generic business programs.
When the total cost of studying and living abroad is relatively less than your expected ROI (first-year salary after graduation), if you are able to achieve this math, it is ideal, as it means that you are in for a profitable and more comfortable extended stay in the country even after completing your study program.
When the country you choose aligns with your career goals—for instance, if your ultimate goal is to settle abroad with PR, taking the Canada or Australia route may be wiser, as they offer greater immigration flexibility for international students, despite the current visa challenges (defined earlier).
When Is It Not Worth It?
When your choice of country is solely based on unthinkingly following what your friends are doing, this can be a highly costly mistake as an international student. It is best to make an individual and independent decision based on your academic interests, strengths, and future career goals. This would help you stay motivated and aligned for longer.
When you have availed a huge loan for a program that yields a low ROI, loaning a huge sum for a generic study program that does not seem to have rewarding career prospects in the future can be a huge financial risk to take in 2026. You may not be able to repay that loan comfortably.
When you haven’t done your homework properly, this means that you haven’t researched the market in your target country—both the education and the job market—and feel that you will figure out the logistics later, once you get the visa. It doesn’t work that way. Planning for studying abroad should ideally start 12-18 months before you intend to travel to your target destination for higher learning.
Make a Simple Decision to Study Abroad in 3 Easy Steps
Our sole motive here is to help you make a well-thought-out and informed decision before you commit yourself financially (and mentally) to studying abroad. If you’re still on the fence, these 3 easy steps in the following study abroad checklist can help simplify the choice for you:
Step 1: Compute the total cost involved This includes not just tuition fees and the cost of studying, but also the overall living expenses (accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, and other miscellaneous costs) in your target country.
Step 2: Research the entry-level average salary for your study area abroad Do a simple online check to get a general average salary range of what you can expect to earn as a fresher or at the entry level after completing your intended study program in your target country. Make sure to check only the entry-level salary (not the maximum range, the salary for experienced candidates, or the salary of the top 10% in your field). Keep it realistic.
Step 3: Calculate the break-even At the last stage, compute the break-even point by dividing the total cost (in step 1) by your expected earning potential (in step 2). Depending on the numbers you chose, the following math almost always works:
The answer is below 3 → Great, go ahead with your study abroad plan!
The answer is above 4 → time to deliberate more and give it more thought
The answer is above 5 → time to give it more serious thought and a “very strong” reason to study abroad
How IDP Education Can Help Indian Students Study Abroad
With visa regulations becoming stricter and the dreams of studying abroad for Indian students coming under tighter scrutiny, IDP Education plays a vital role in helping you make a smart, well-informed, ROI-driven decision to study overseas. One of the best study abroad consultants in India:
Our experts offer free personalised counselling to students, helping them choose the best country, university, and course abroad, taking into account costs and ROI.
We also help you plan your finances better by providing complete information on the top scholarship options available for various study abroad destinations.
IDP Education consultants offer updated, accurate information on the latest visa guidelines of all leading countries and also possible reasons for rejection, so that you can avoid them.
Conclusion
To answer the question that we started with at the beginning of this blog — “Is studying abroad still worth?” — yes, studying overseas is still worthwhile only if you approach the process with thoughtful planning and complete clarity, and keep your expectations real.
The key lies in shifting the focus of your studies from merely earning an international degree to securing a strong ROI by selecting the right country and study program with strong career prospects. By striking the perfect balance between cost and earning potential and achieving a break-even point that ensures long-term growth, Indian students can still travel abroad for higher education. And, IDP Education will be your partner on this journey, helping you make strategic decisions every step of the way.
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