International student enrollment at U.S. colleges is falling sharply, and new application data suggest the decline could deepen as visa restrictions, processing delays and uncertainty over immigration rules make the United States a less attractive destination for students overseas.
New international student enrollment dropped 17% in fall 2025 compared with the previous year, according to data from the Institute of International Education. The decline is now showing up earlier in the admissions pipeline as international applicants for the 2026-27 academic year fell about 10%, even as overall undergraduate application volume increased, according to Common App data released Thursday.
