International Student Enrollment in U.S. Colleges Faces Decline Amid Visa Challenges

Mon Nov 17 2025 10:28:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Despite a strong start to the fall semester, new data indicates a significant drop in international student enrollment in American colleges, with a 17% decrease in first-time foreign students.

This fall, U.S. colleges witnessed a 1% overall decrease in international students, driven largely by a 17% drop in new foreign students. Institutions have been proactive in assisting students with visa issues, but continued turbulence may impact future enrollments and budgets.

WASHINGTON — As the new academic year begins, U.S. colleges are facing a downturn in international student enrollment, despite expectations to the contrary. A report from the Institute of International Education disclosed that overall international enrollment decreased by 1% in comparison to the previous year; however, the most alarming statistic is a 17% plunge in first-time foreign students, marking the steepest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.

This downturn is exacerbated by recent visa challenges that have deterred potential international students from choosing the U.S. for their education. Anxiety surrounding immigration policies under the Trump administration has also contributed to this predicament, causing many prospective students to set their sights on educational institutions in Europe and Asia instead.

While over a quarter of universities reported increases in their international student populations, the majority—around 60%—noted declines, resulting in financial strain for some institutions that have become reliant on the higher tuition fees that foreign students typically pay. For example, enrolments at DePauw University plummeted nearly 62%, prompting significant budgetary cuts.

The report shows that universities are attempting to mitigate the negative impacts of these trends by offering greater flexibility with enrollment for foreign students who could not make it to campus this fall. Approximately 75% are allowing these students to defer to the spring term, with many extending deferral options to fall 2026.

Experts are now expressing concerns for the sustainability of international student enrollment in the U.S. “The figures provide a warning for future years, particularly regarding the upcoming fall terms,” remarked Clay Harmon, executive director of AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management.

While the situation remains fluid, with some colleges pursuing strategies to attract international students, the systemic challenges affecting visa processing and competition from foreign universities continue to loom large.