Student Enrollment in US Universities Falls by 17%: Report

international student enrollment in the united states has witnessed a significant decline, with a new study by the institute of international education (iie) reporting a 17% drop in new international admissions for the 2025-26 academic year. the data, published by open doors data—an organization supported by the us department of state—highlights growing concerns within the american higher education sector regarding the inflow of global learners.according to the report, the number of international students enrolled in us colleges and universities during the first quarter of the current academic year has decreased by 17%. the decline is largely attributed to ongoing visa-related complications and travel restrictions, which continue to pose challenges for prospective students worldwide. university administrators say these obstacles have not only delayed admissions but also discouraged students from completing their enrollment processes.a notable trend from the report is the decline in the number of indian students enrolling in us institutions. nearly 61% of american higher education institutions surveyed indicated a fall in admissions from india. despite this dip, india continues to remain the leading source of international students in the us, with 3.63 lakh indian students enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year. experts say this reflects the sustained aspiration among indian learners to pursue higher education in the us, even amid tightening immigration rules and rising costs.the report also notes that a total of 1.2 lakh new international students studied in the us during the 2024-25 academic year. international students remain an essential part of the american academic and economic ecosystem. in 2024 alone, they contributed an estimated $55 billion to the us economy through tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and other expenditures. this economic impact underscores the importance of maintaining a robust international student population, particularly for universities that rely heavily on foreign enrollments for revenue and global engagement.higher education analysts suggest that unless visa policies are eased and mobility barriers reduced, the us may continue to see fluctuations in international enrollment. such trends could affect the competitiveness of american institutions at a time when countries like canada, the uk, and australia are actively expanding their international student recruitment strategies.despite the recent fall in numbers, the us remains a preferred destination for global learners due to its strong academic reputation, extensive research opportunities, and diverse campus environments. however, the latest findings signal the need for timely policy adjustments to sustain the nation's long-standing attractiveness among international students.