Foreign student enrollment in US holds steady despite Trump visa concerns
By AP, November 17, 2025Foreign students enrolled at U.S. colleges in strong numbers this fall despite fears that a Trump administration crackdown would trigger a nosedive, yet there are signs of turbulence as fewer new, first-time students arrived from other countries, according to a new report.
Overall, U.S. campuses saw a 1 per cent decrease in international enrollment this fall compared with 2024, according to a survey from the Institute of International Education.
But that figure is propped up by large numbers of students who stayed in the U.S. for temporary work after graduating. The number of new students entering the United States for the first time fell by 17 per cent, the sharpest decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some universities are seeing backslides that have punched big holes in tuition revenue, but overall, the falloff is less severe than some industry groups had forecast. Researchers credit colleges for helping students navigate visa issues through the summer.
“I think colleges and universities did absolutely everything in their power to advocate to get these students to the United States,” said Mirka Martel, head of research, evaluation, and learning for the institute.
At DePauw University, a Catholic university in Chicago, the number of international graduate students fell by almost 62 per cent this fall, a driving factor in recent spending cuts. The university president blamed student visa troubles and declining interest in studying in the U.S., calling it a “massive” disruption.
Overall, nearly 60 per cent of colleges reported a decrease in new foreign students this fall, the survey found, while 30 per cent saw increases and others held even. More than 800 schools responded to the survey, which offers an early look at trends before full data is released next year.
Trump on foreign students
The Trump administration has sought to reduce America’s reliance on foreign students. The White House is pushing colleges to cap enrollment of foreign students and enroll more from the U.S. In June, the State Department began screening visa applications more closely after temporarily halting all interviews.
Visa processing has continued to lag in some countries, including India, the largest source of America’s foreign students. Education firms have reported that future college students are now showing decreased interest in the U.S. and more in Europe and Asia. While international enrollment remained relatively steady, there are concerns about its sustainability.
“There are warning signs for future years, and I’m really concerned about what this portends for fall ’26 and ’27,” said Clay Harmon, the executive director of AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management, which represents colleges and recruitment agencies.
Foreign students make up about 6 per cent of America’s college students, but they play an outsize role in campus budgets. Most pay higher tuition rates and don’t get financial aid, effectively subsidizing U.S. students. Their numbers are far higher at elite campuses, often making up a quarter or more of the student body.