At US universities, record numbers of Indian students seek brighter prospects — and overseas jobs

Pranay Karkale is spending years of savings and $60,000 in student loans to pursue a master's degree in the United States, yet he considers himself lucky. At home in India, it's common to hear about families selling off their land to send children to universities overseas.

Karkale was willing to do whatever it took once he got into Johns Hopkins University. A degree from a prestigious U.S. college, he believed, would open doors to a better job and higher pay than he would find in India.

"I don't feel like I would have gotten the same level of education that I get here," said Karkale, 23.