Key Points
- New international student enrollment at U.S. colleges dropped 17% this fall, the sharpest non-pandemic decline in over a decade.
- Visa delays, denials, and new immigration policies are the top factors driving the downturn.
- The fall in new arrivals threatens billions in economic contributions and the financial stability of many universities.
Visa Rules and Political Climate Drive Steep Enrollment Decline
New international student enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities plunged 17% this fall, according to new data from the Institute of International Education (IIE). The drop—the largest in more than a decade outside the pandemic—comes as the Trump administration expands visa restrictions and increases scrutiny of overseas applicants.
Colleges surveyed overwhelmingly cited visa issues as the leading cause of the decline, with 96% reporting delays, denials, or uncertainty affecting enrollment. Travel restrictions and new requirements, such as mandatory disclosure of social media accounts, added further hurdles.
Some students also reported feeling unwelcome due to broader political rhetoric and heightened campus tensions. The downturn follows a 7% decrease in new enrollments during the 2024–25 academic year, signaling an accelerating trend.
While a total of 1.2 million international students remain enrolled in U.S. institutions, new entrants are shrinking rapidly. Institutions noted that long wait times for visa interviews, temporary suspensions of visa processing, and new limits on the duration of student stays contributed to this year’s decline.
India—the largest source of international students in the U.S.—saw some of the sharpest reductions in new enrollments, a shift that significantly influenced the national total.
Economic Stakes High as Universities Feel the Impact
The decline in new students poses significant financial risks for universities, which rely heavily on international enrollment to offset declining domestic admissions and rising operational costs. International students, who often pay full tuition, contributed about $55 billion to the U.S. economy last year and supported more than 355,000 jobs, according to NAFSA.
A NAFSA report estimates a $1.1 billion economic loss this year alone due to fewer new international students. Administrators warn that the trend threatens research programs, graduate departments, and campus diversity. Some institutions, such as UMass Amherst and Western New England University, report steep drops in graduate enrollment tied to visa delays and funding uncertainty. Others, like Mount Holyoke College, have maintained stable international numbers despite nationwide challenges.
The Trump administration has defended its policies as necessary for national security and to prioritize opportunities for U.S. students. Measures have included pausing visa interviews, revoking thousands of student visas, and pressuring universities over political issues on campus.
Still, higher education leaders warn that global competitors stand ready to draw away talent. “The pipeline of global talent in the U.S. is in a precarious position,” said NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw, noting that other countries are actively courting international students.
As colleges brace for potential declines in 2026 and beyond, many are expanding outreach, offering deferrals, and urging policymakers to ease restrictions to prevent long-term damage to U.S. competitiveness.