75% of India’s small towns cent
Germany is emerging as a preferred study abroad destination for students from tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India, as students increasingly prioritize affordability, job prospects and long-term migration pathways over traditional options like Canada, according to a new survey by global talent mobility platform Terraturn.
Highlights of the survey:
Germany: 75 percent students chose Germany as their preferred study destination
United States of America:68 percent
united kingdom:62 percent
Australia:55 percent
Canada: 50 percent
The survey, released on May 5, studied the responses of over 2,800 students and early career professionals aged 24 to 35 in cities including Jaipur, Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Dehradun in the North; Lucknow, Patna and Bhopal in central and eastern India; Surat, Vadodara and Indore in the west; and Nagpur, Coimbatore, Mysuru, Visakhapatnam and Warangal in the south.
The report found that students from smaller towns are now turning to foreign education in the same manner as their counterparts from metro cities, with a greater focus on employment outcomes and returns on investment.
Germany gained popularity among students
According to the survey, Germany’s appeal is driven by low or tuition-free education costs, its industrial economy and structured post-study pathways for international students.
The findings come at a time when some Indian students are seeing less interest in destinations like Canada due to rising cost of education, visa uncertainty and concerns about employment opportunities after studies.
The Terraturn survey found that 78.9 percent of respondents were interested in studying abroad, although their priorities have shifted from just a degree to career-related outcomes.
Among the respondents:
• 55 percent said cost and job opportunities are the biggest barriers to studying abroad
• 77 percent said they are looking for international job opportunities along with education plans
• 69 per cent said employment prospects after study were a major factor before applying
The study also found that for many students the fear of visa rejection outweighs financial concerns, pointing to growing interest in countries that offer clear migration pathways.
Technology is reshaping access to overseas education
The report said students from tier-3 and tier-4 cities are increasingly using AI-powered tools to assess eligibility, compare destinations and understand visa processes.
According to the survey, this has increased access to foreign education opportunities beyond metro cities, where counseling services have traditionally been concentrated.
“We are seeing a clear shift in how young India views global opportunities. Germany is gaining a stronger foothold as it aligns closely with what students are prioritizing now, career outcomes, affordability and structured pathways,” said Divyansh Chaudhary, founder of Terraturn, a global talent mobility platform.
“Also, AI is making these opportunities more accessible to students beyond metro cities,” he said.
The survey said students are evaluating destinations based on employability, immigration system and financial returns rather than just academic reputation, with smaller cities expected to play a bigger role in shaping student mobility out of India.
A similar trend was revealed in Leap Scholar’s December 2025 report, which found that there was a 377 per cent year-on-year increase in interest among Indian students in Germany, up from 219 per cent the previous year.
The same report found that interest in New Zealand had increased by 2,900 per cent year-on-year, up from 6 per cent previously, partly driven by immigration rules allowing international graduates to stay and work for three years after completing their studies.
The UAE saw a 5,400 per cent increase in interest compared to 7 per cent in the previous period, with lower education costs and easier access cited as the major reasons.
Arnav Kumar, co-founder, Leap Scholar, said, “It is no longer just a question of affordability; it is also about what the returns are after the degree. Data shows that students are making calculated decisions based on return on investment (ROI), and not just prestige.”
