62% of Student Loan Applications, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh Lead Demand: Kuhoo Insights
Engineering Remains the Most Financed Course; MBA and Medical Programs See Highest Loan Ticket Sizes
Kuhoo, has released new insights based on student loan application trends across India. The analysis highlights a clear shift in the geography of education financing demand , with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities emerging as the primary drivers of student loan applications. Together, these markets account for a significant share of applications, with Tier 3 cities alone contributing 62% of total leads, reflecting the growing aspirations of students from smaller towns to pursue higher education.
Smaller cities drive the next wave of higher education demand
The data indicate a broadening of access to higher education financing beyond metropolitan centres. Tier 2 cities account for 24% of applications, while Tier 1 cities contribute 14%, highlighting how demand for education loans is increasingly coming from non metro markets. This shift reflects rising awareness of financing options, improved digital access, and stronger academic aspirations among students from smaller cities seeking professional and career oriented education opportunities.
Professional education remains the core driver of financing demand
Among disciplines, engineering accounts for the largest share of student loan applications, underscoring its continued appeal among students pursuing technical and professional careers. At the same time, demand for financing across programs such as management, medical education, and skill based training courses is steadily expanding, pointing to a more diversified landscape of higher education choices and career pathways among students.
Commenting on the insights, Prashant A. Bhonsle, Founder and CEO, Kuhoo, said, “What these insights clearly show is that the aspiration for higher education in India is no longer concentrated in metro cities. A significant share of student loan applications today is coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reflecting how students from smaller towns are actively seeking access to quality education and professional opportunities. As awareness of financing options grows, more families are exploring structured financing to support their children’s academic journeys. For us at Kuhoo, this reinforces the importance of building accessible and flexible education financing solutions that can support students across geographies and help unlock their academic potential.”
The insights highlight the changing landscape of higher education financing in India, with demand expanding beyond traditional metro markets. The findings are based on aggregated and anonymised student loan application data and are intended to provide a directional view of emerging trends in education financing across the country.
