Decline in International Student Enrollments in US Universities After 3-Year Increase

Recent data indicates a decrease in international graduate student enrollment in American universities, a shift after several years of consistent growth, coinciding with the immigration policies promoted by the Trump administration.

In the autumn of 2025, nearly 10,000 fewer graduate students from abroad enrolled, marking a 5.9% reduction compared to the previous year, according to statistics from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. However, on the undergraduate side, the numbers swelled by 5,000 students, which translates to a 3.2% rise.

Overall, enrollment figures for both international and domestic students exhibited a modest uptick. The total number of enrollments reached 19.4 million, comprising 16.2 million undergraduates and 3.2 million graduate students, as opposed to 19.2 million from the previous year.

Reasons Behind Reduced International Student Enrollment

Educational institutions generally view international students favorably since they often cover full tuition fees. Nevertheless, a recent declaration on social media by the State Department has revealed the revocation of 8,000 student visas, aligning with its initiative to enhance national security.

The announcement further detailed that over 100,000 visas, including 2,500 specialized permits for individuals with past encounters with U.S. law enforcement, had been rescinded, reinforcing the country's commitment to public safety.

Impact of Revised Visa Policies

Visa applications for students were reopened in June of the previous year after a temporary suspension. The policy now mandates that applicants must make their social media profiles publicly accessible, a prerequisite that was applied more broadly to other visa submissions right before the holiday season.

The response from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center to these changes has been unavailable at the moment.