New international student enrollment in the U.S. dropped by 17 percent this fall compared to last year, according to multiple sources including Inside Higher Ed, the Institute of International Education (IIE), and Higher Ed Dive. This decline is attributed to recent changes in U.S. immigration and visa policies under the Trump administration, which have made it more challenging for foreign students to obtain visas and study in the country.nbcnews+7
Key Data and Context
The preliminary 2025 Open Doors survey found that while overall international student enrollment at U.S. colleges only dipped by 1%, new enrollment (students entering for the first time) dropped by 17%.highereddive+2
This decrease in new international students is the largest non-pandemic-related drop in more than a decade, highlighting the significant impact of recent policy changes.newsweek+1
Campus-level data suggested even sharper declines at specific institutions, especially at the graduate level, in some cases exceeding 29% year-over-year reductions for new graduate students.insidehighered
Causes and Effects
The Trump administration has tightened visa processes and placed additional restrictions on international student admissions that disproportionately affect countries like China and India.nafsa+1
More than half of surveyed colleges (57%) reported a decline in new international students this fall; some adopted policies to offer deferrals to future semesters to help offset these losses.highereddive
International students continue to represent about 6% of U.S. college enrollment and contribute significantly to tuition revenue and the national economy, but their numbers at the undergraduate level have seen marginal growth while graduate enrollment dropped.insidehighered+1
Summary Table
| Metric | Fall 2024 | Fall 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall international enrollment | 1.2M | 1.19M | -1% |
| New international student enrollment | — | — | -17% |
This 17% decline in new international student enrollment aligns with recent reports and reflects ongoing immigration and visa challenges impacting U.S. higher education this fall.wgbh+5
Several U.S. universities reported some of the largest year-over-year drops in new international student enrollment for Fall 2025:
Northwest Missouri State University had the greatest reported decline, with international graduate student enrollment dropping from 557 in Fall 2024 to just 125 in Fall 2025—a steep decrease linked partly to SEVIS status revocations.insidehighered
DePaul University in Chicago saw a dramatic 63% decline in new international graduate students, with an overall drop of 755 international students compared to the previous year.reuters+1
Bellevue College in Washington State, a leading recipient of international students among community colleges, recorded a 56% year-over-year decline in new international enrollments.insidehighered
University of Hartford in Connecticut lost half of its international students year over year, now expecting just 50 instead of 100 this fall.insidehighered
UMass Boston reported a 17% drop in first-year international enrollment, mirroring the national trend.wgbh
Georgetown University experienced a 20% decline in foreign graduate student enrollment and had to make significant budget cuts as a result.wgbh+1
Boston University reported a 10% decline in international graduate students, even as undergraduate numbers stayed steady.wgbh
Many other institutions, especially those highly dependent on international student tuition, have faced significant financial impacts due to these enrollment changes.reuters+2
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