New research released on Monday shows a seventeen percent decline in new international student enrolment at United States universities this autumn. The fall follows increasing difficulty in obtaining student visas under the Trump administration, with many students citing delays, denials, and heightened screening as reasons for abandoning or postponing their studies. While the overall population of international students decreased by only one percent when including long term residents, the sharp drop in first time arrivals has raised concern among higher education leaders. International students currently make up about six percent of total enrolment and contributed an estimated fifty five billion dollars to the American economy last year, underscoring their financial significance. The findings come from a survey conducted by the Institute of International Education, which reviewed data from more than eight hundred higher education institutions.
Education experts warn that the recent decline might be the beginning of a longer downturn. Clay Harmon, executive director of the Association of International Enrollment Management, expressed concern about the impact on admissions in the coming years, suggesting that the trend could worsen through twenty twenty six and twenty twenty seven. Although the seventeen percent decline is smaller than the thirty to forty percent drop predicted earlier by NAFSA, many institutions still view foreign student recruitment as essential to maintaining revenue. Universities reported offering additional flexibility for students facing visa or travel challenges, with deferral requests rising nearly forty percent. Institutions also cited global travel restrictions affecting a portion of applicants and a growing perception among students that the United States is becoming a less welcoming environment.
The White House has enacted several measures that have contributed to the decline, including pausing student visa appointments earlier this year and implementing more intensive social media screenings once appointments resumed. Prior to those changes, the State Department revoked thousands of student visas due to legal violations and security concerns. Despite these restrictions, President Donald Trump has acknowledged the economic importance of foreign students, recently announcing plans to issue six hundred thousand visas for Chinese students. He argued that international students help sustain American universities by paying significantly higher tuition and described the admissions pipeline as essential for keeping the national education system financially strong.
