US International Student Enrollment Declines 17% Following Trump's Visa Restrictions

According to Open Doors data from the Institute of International Education, new international student enrollment in the United States has shown a significant decline this fall.

Foreign students beginning their college education for the first time decreased by 17 percent this semester, following the Trump administration's intensified restrictions on foreign student visas. This continues a downward trend from the 2024-25 academic year, which saw a 7 percent decline partly attributed to fewer Chinese students coming to the US amid growing geopolitical tensions.

President Trump's rhetoric targeting both higher education and immigration has created uncertainty for universities nationwide, resulting in many international students being either unable or unwilling to pursue their education in America. During summer, the administration implemented a month-long suspension of visa interviews, followed by enhanced scrutiny procedures and reduced appointment availability. These measures have further strained institutional finances, as most international students typically pay full tuition rates.

Despite these challenges, the report indicates that colleges are actively working to attract international applicants. More than half of surveyed institutions are offering enrollment deferment options for foreign students until next fall, and most reported they will maintain their focus on international student recruitment efforts.

Over 80 percent of surveyed institutions emphasized the importance of international students' diverse perspectives on campus, while 60 percent highlighted their significant financial contributions.

The Open Doors project is funded by the US Department of State with additional support from the Institute of International Education, a non-profit organization that has been researching international student trends since 1919.

In a surprising contrast to his administration's policies targeting international students, Trump stated last week that allowing foreign students to study in the US is a "good" practice and expressed opposition to reducing their numbers.

The decline in new foreign enrollment preceded Trump's second term, as shown by data from the 2024-25 academic year included in the report. The trend varied across academic levels, with new undergraduate enrollment actually increasing by 5 percent while new graduate student numbers fell by 15 percent.

India maintained its position as the top sender of international students to the US, continuing the pattern from the previous year. More than 363,000 students from India were enrolled in US institutions during the 2024-25 academic year, representing a 10 percent increase from the prior year. China followed with approximately 266,000 students, showing a 4 percent decrease.

Despite these enrollment challenges, the US remains the leading global destination for international students. The total international student population in the US increased by 5 percent to approximately 1.2 million for the 2024-25 academic year. International students contributed nearly $55 billion to the American economy in 2024.