From prestige to payoffs: How Indian students are prioritising jobs, ROI, and outcomes over university names

Indian students are increasingly prioritising career outcomes over university prestige when planning to study abroad, according to Leap’s analysis of student conversations. The data shows rising focus on employability, financing realities, and alternative programmes like MiM. Peer influence, test comparisons, and loan misconceptions also shape decisions. With more working professionals and self-funded students entering the mix, the study abroad journey is becoming more pragmatic, outcome-driven, and focused on long-term return on investment.