New U.S. International Student Enrollments Plummet

The Number of International Students enrolling in U.S. Colleges for the First Time Plummeted this Fall, according to a New Report.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) said in a Report released on Monday, that the overall number of International Students on U.S. Campuses, includin However, the number of Students entering the Country for the First time fell by 17%, marking the Sharpest Decrease since the COVID-19 Pandemic. It continues a Trend from last year, when U.S. Schools reported a 7% Decline in New International Enrollments.

There were 1.2 million International Students at U.S. Colleges and Universities in the 2024-25 Academic year, accounting for 6% of the Total Higher Education Population. International Students can be Vital sources of Income for U.S. Colleges and Universities, since many pay Higher Tuition Rates and don’t receive Financial Aid. These Students are also a boon for the U.S. Economy, contributing almost $55 billion in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).

The latest Data comes as the Trump (R) Administration has sought to Reduce the U.S.’s reliance on Foreign Students. The White House has pushed Colleges to Cap their Enrollment of Foreign Students and Enroll more Americans. In June, the State Department (DOS) began screening Visa Applications more Closely after Temporarily Halting All Interviews. Newsweek recently Reported that the Trump Administration is considering a Change to Student Visas that could Limit or End their Work or Training Oportunities after they Complete their Degrees.

According to IIE’s Report, 828 Schools responded to the Institute’s Survey, which provides an Early look at Trends before the Full Data is released next year. It said that 57% of the Schools that provided Data reported a Decrease in New Foreign Students this Fall, while about 29% saw Increases and 14% Reported Stable Numbers.

Almost All the Schools that Reported Declines cited Concerns about obtaining Student Visas, while almost 70% pointed to Travel Restrictions. The Survey found that the Number of International Students pursuing Undergraduate Studies increased by 2% this Fall, but the Number of Graduate Sstudents Dropped by 12%.

Meanwhile, the Number of Students taking part in Optional Practical Training, which allows Students to Stay in the U.S. for Temporary Work after Graduating, Increased by 14% in 2025r. The Report also said a Majority of U.S. Colleges and Universities continue to consider International Student Recruitment a Priority for various reasons, with 81% citing the Value of International Students’ Perspectives on Campus and 60% noting their Financial Contributions.










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