Indian Gen Z Turns to Hybrid Education Models Amid Rising Study-Abroad Costs: Emeritus

For years, studying abroad has been seen as a pathway to better education, with higher-paying jobs and growing international career opportunities. As for Indian Gen Zs, the equation is quite different. For Indian Gen Zs, the decision to pursue a foreign degree is increasingly a financial and practical one. Rising costs and visa uncertainty are changing how young Indians view overseas education.

According to India’s Gen Z Outlook 2026 Report by Emeritus, the number of respondents wanting to study abroad has decreased this year from 48 per cent last year. The survey involved 1,010 respondents aged between 15 and 28 years old across major Indian cities.

Higher Earnings Remain a Major Draw

Despite the growing concerns, foreign education continues to hold considerable appeal among young Indians. The report found that the respondents considered studying abroad largely viewed international education as a way of career investment. Higher earning potential was cited by 40 per cent as an expected outcome, while 39 per cent pointed towards finding better job opportunities. Another 37 per cent pointed towards a better quality of education. The remaining 33 per cent expected to connect to better professional networks. This showed that the overseas education decision is not simply about obtaining a foreign degree.

Cost Is Emerging As A Major Barrier

For students who remain interested in studying abroad, but have concerns, costs were cited as one of the primary barriers by nearly 37 per cent of respondents. Visa requirements and immigration policies were another concern reported by 26 per cent of respondents. Among those whose interest has declined in studying abroad, the reason was stated to be visa and immigration policy changes. The findings indicate that the traditional appeal of studying overseas is seen and reassessed by students given the financial implications.

Hybrid Models Gains Preference

As concerns over cost and uncertainty of studying abroad grow, Indian students are also looking at alternatives that offer international exposure without requiring them to stay overseas. The report highlighted a growing preference for pathway models that combine study in India with a period of foreign education.

Under this model, students can begin their programme in India and later spend a part of their course overseas, such as through a semester exchange. The appeal appears to be strongest among students closer to making higher education decisions. The share of respondents who preferred this pathway increased from 27 per cent who are yet to enrol in colleges to 39 per cent who are already in colleges.

According to the report, such models can address two concerns that shape study abroad decisions; which are cost and uncertainty. Students can gain international academic exposure while avoiding the financial commitment and immigration related uncertainty that is associated with spending the full duration of a programme overseas.

This shift was also evident in the interest in international education delivered within India. Among postgraduate-bound respondents, half said they would consider a fully on-campus international university programme in India itself, while 38 per cent identified this option as their first option.

For Indian Gen Z, the foreign degree still holds the same value. However, increasingly, the question changes to whether the career gains would be able to justify the cost and uncertainty of getting it.