 "US colleges see 17% drop in new international students, Indian enrollments lead decline: Report")
The number of newly enrolled international students at US colleges and universities fell by 17% this autumn, a drop attributed to new student visa restrictions and other Trump administration policies, according to Reuters, citing a report released Monday.
The majority colleges and universities reported drops in the number of new Indian students — a trend the report says is likely driving the overall national decline.
India remains the top source of international students in US higher education.
Of the institutions reporting declines in new international enrollment, 96% cited concerns over visa applications and 68% pointed to travel restrictions, added the report, quoting the nonprofit Institute of International Education.
The findings are based on data from 825 US higher education institutions.
As part of its broader crackdown on legal immigration, the Trump administration has introduced several measures affecting international students, including proposals to cap their enrollment at American universities.
According to Reuters, the US State Department has also authorised consular officers to request that visa applicants make their social media accounts public, part of an effort to screen for individuals deemed potentially hostile toward the United States.
Some student visas have been revoked under the heightened scrutiny, while others seeking new visas have experienced significant delays, added the report.
Many institutions surveyed said long wait times and this year’s temporary pause in visa processing affected students’ ability to secure the required documents.
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View AllThe report noted that concerns such as visa delays and denials have historically been the leading reason behind declines in international enrollment.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators estimates that roughly 1.2 million international students studied in the US during the 2024–2025 academic year.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, they contributed about $55 billion to the US economy in 2024.
Because many international students are not eligible for financial aid and pay full tuition, they remain a crucial revenue source for institutions facing shrinking domestic enrollment, rising operating costs and reduced government funding.
Monday’s report found that 29% of institutions saw an increase in new international enrollment, 14% reported no change and 57% recorded a decline.
With inputs from agencies
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