US colleges see 17% drop in new international students, Indian enrollments lead decline: Report – Firstpost

The number of newly enrolled international students at U.S. colleges and universities declined by 17% this fall, a decline driven by new student visa restrictions and other policies of the Trump administration. reutersCiting a report released on Monday.

Most colleges and universities have reported a decline in the number of new Indian students – a trend the report said is likely causing an overall national decline.

India remains the top source of international students in US higher education.

Citing the non-profit Institute for International Education, the report said that of institutions reporting declines in new international enrollments, 96% cited concerns over visa applications and 68% pointed to travel restrictions.

The findings are based on data from 825 US higher education institutions.

As part of its broader crackdown on legal immigration, the Trump administration has introduced several measures affecting international students, including proposals to limit their enrollment at US universities.

according to reutersThe US State Department has also authorized consular officers to request that visa applicants make their social media accounts public, part of an effort to screen individuals deemed potentially hostile toward the United States.

Some student visas have been canceled under increased scrutiny, while others seeking new visas have faced significant delays, the report said.

Many institutions surveyed said long wait times and temporary pause in visa processing this year affected students’ ability to obtain required documents.

The report notes that concerns such as visa delays and denials have historically been the leading cause of declines in international enrollments.

NAFSA: The Association of International Educators estimates that approximately 1.2 million international students studied in the US during the 2024-2025 academic year.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, they are expected to contribute approximately $55 billion to the US economy in 2024.

Because many international students are not eligible for financial aid and pay full tuition, they remain an important revenue source for institutions facing declining domestic enrollment, rising operating costs, and reduced government funding.

Monday’s report found that 29% of institutions saw an increase in new international enrollments, 14% reported no change and 57% reported a decline.

with inputs from agencies