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$3 billion in giving: Indian Americans’ impact on U.S. higher education
New Indiaspora research shows Indian Americans have donated more than $3 billion to U.S. universities since 2008, driving innovation, cultural programming, and broader access to education.
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Anushka Pathak - Thu, 02, Oct 2025
- 14:55 EDT
- 41
(Top L-R) - Desh Deshpande, Kiran and Pallavi Patel, Chandrika Tandon; (Bottom L-R) - Sumir Chadha, Monte Ahuja, Satish and Yasmin Gupta / Courtesy: Indiaspora
Indian Americans are emerging as a significant force in shaping U.S. higher education, according to new research released by Indiaspora.
The study highlights that since 2008, members of the community have donated over $3 billion to American universities, supporting everything from cutting-edge research to cultural programming.
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Prominent donors include Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon, who made a $100 million contribution to New York University’s School of Engineering; former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, who donated $50 million to Yale’s School of Management, one of the largest gifts ever to a business school; and entrepreneur Desh Deshpande, who gave a $20 million donation to MIT in 2002, establishing the Center for Technological Innovation.
Others, including Monte Ahuja in Ohio, Satish and Yasmin Gupta in Texas, and Kiran and Pallavi Patel in Florida have reshaped medical and educational programs with their philanthropy.
“By investing in universities, Indian American donors who value education are ‘putting their money where their mouth is,’” said Indiaspora founder and chairman MR Rangaswami. “They are also demonstrating a larger commitment to America, supporting Americans of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds to thrive.”
While some of the most high-profile gifts have gone to elite universities, the study also pointed out significant support for community colleges, state schools, and city universities, reflecting a broad commitment to expanding access.
Much of the funding has been directed toward medical and health sciences, engineering, and business programs, though $140 million has also gone into cultural initiatives.
Examples include Sumir Chadha’s support for Princeton University’s Chadha Center for Global India and endowments in South Asian, Hindu, and Indian studies across campuses.
Indiaspora noted that these donations have created what it calls a “flywheel effect”—strengthening educational institutions while deepening professional and cultural ties between India and the U.S.
Sanjeev Joshipura, Indiaspora’s executive director, said, “Through philanthropic donations to U.S.-based educational institutions, Indian Americans are not only transforming lives today—they are building a meaningful legacy in and for this country and the world.”
The findings also highlighted that education remains central to the Indian American story. Nearly 78 percent of Indian Americans hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—well above the U.S. average. More than 270,000 Indian students are currently enrolled at American universities, contributing almost $10 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supporting an estimated 93,000 jobs.
The new research builds on Indiaspora’s earlier work, including its 2024 Impact Report with Boston Consulting Group, which documented the wide-ranging influence of Indian Americans across the United States.
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