A recent survey by the Institute of International Education has revealed a sharp 17% decrease in newly enrolled international students at U.S. colleges and universities this autumn.
What Is Driving the Decline? Visa Struggles and Travel Hurdles
According to the report, 96% of institutions that saw declining numbers pointed to visa application concerns as a key factor. In many cases, students faced delays in visa processing or outright denials—issues that have become more pronounced under current U.S. policy.
Travel restrictions also played a role: 68% of schools cited limitations on travel as a barrier for incoming students.
Which Students Are Most Affected?
The drop was not evenly distributed across all nationalities. Many colleges reported that Indian students, who represent one of the largest groups of international enrollees in the U.S., contributed significantly to the decline.
International students are a major source of tuition revenue for U.S. universities since many pay full tuition and are not eligible for financial aid. As total enrollments drop, institutions could face financial strain.
The IIE survey found that while new student enrollments dropped dramatically, overall international enrollment declined by only about 1%. Interestingly, undergraduate international student numbers actually saw a slight increase (+2%), while graduate student enrollment fell by 12%.
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