New international student enrollment at American colleges and universities plunged 17% in fall 2025—the steepest non-pandemic drop in over a decade—as visa restrictions and the Trump administration's immigration enforcement drive prospective students to pursue education elsewhere, according to data released Monday by the Institute of International Education.
IIE
"The U.S. is no longer the central place that students aspire to come to," said Dr. Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Aw attributed the decline to difficulties in obtaining U.S. visas, adding that the issues have made the U.S. "less competitive" on the global stage.
The enrollment crisis has emerged as international students navigate an increasingly restrictive environment during President Donald Trump's second term. Foreign-born students have faced visa terminations, intensified screenings, and in some cases, detentions related to pro-Palestinian speech—an enforcement approach a Boston judge ruled unconstitutional.
According to the IIE report, 96% of higher education institutions cited visa application concerns as an obstacle for enrollment. While nearly 57% of universities reported decreases in new international students this fall, 29% saw increases and others held steady.
The total number of international students on university campuses nationwide decreased by 1% from the last academic year, a figure that includes students who enrolled in previous years.
The economic implications are substantial. A study released Monday by NAFSA: Association of International Educators estimates that the plummeting enrollment rate translates to over $1.1 billion in lost revenue and nearly 23,000 fewer jobs nationwide.
"A close read of enrollment figures from last year and this fall shows that the pipeline of global talent in the United States is in a precarious position," Aw said. "If you exclude those international students who were engaged in post-graduation Optional Practical Training last year—which, at 25 percent, is the largest share of total enrollment ever—and this fall, there are alarming declines that we ignore at our own peril."
Aw warned that other countries are capitalizing on U.S. policy missteps by creating effective incentives to attract international students. She emphasized that post-study work opportunities are essential to maintaining the nation's standing as the top destination for global talent.
Some bright spots emerged in the data. Economic contributions by international students at community colleges increased for the third consecutive year, reaching $2.2 billion—up 10.5%—and supporting more than 9,000 jobs. Additionally, economic contributions from international students enrolled in English language programs increased 5.7% to $393.3 million, though this remains 44% below pre-pandemic levels.
NAFSA's analysis identified key policy solutions to reverse the declining enrollment trend, including improving visa processing, preserving Duration of Status, and protecting Optional Practical Training programs.
The economic analysis, conducted by NAFSA in partnership with JB International, shows that for every three international students, one U.S. job is created or supported in sectors including higher education, accommodation, dining, retail, transportation, telecommunications, and health insurance.
The Institute of International Education, a nonpartisan organization that works to encourage foreign study, conducts the annual Open Doors report to track international student mobility and its impact on American higher education.
