International Student Enrollment in US Declines Nearly 20% Amid Visa Scrutiny
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The number of international students arriving in the U.S. has dropped by nearly a fifth at the start of the current academic year, signaling a significant challenge for American colleges and universities as the federal government increases scrutiny of student visas. Preliminary data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office shows a 19% decline in international visitors arriving on student visas in August compared to the same month in 2024.
This downturn follows declines observed in June and July, but is particularly concerning as August typically represents the peak month for international student arrivals, with 313,138 students arriving this year. Industry groups are warning that these declines in international enrollment could threaten college budgets and the standing of American institutions on the global stage. While the full extent of the impact remains to be seen, the data suggests a reversal of the rebound in international enrollment that followed declines worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Approximately 1.1 million international students contributed to the U.S. higher education system last year, representing a vital revenue stream for many tuition-dependent colleges. These students are generally ineligible for federal financial aid and often pay full tuition rates.
California Campuses Prepare for Enrollment Challenges
The impact of these national trends is being felt acutely in California. Many campuses, including the University of California (UC) system, have been preparing for potential difficulties in attracting international students. For fall 2025 admissions, UC campuses offered seats to 3,263 more first-year international students – a 17% increase over the previous year. However, this increase in offers reflects a growing uncertainty about the likelihood of those students actually enrolling.
UC officials noted that the enrollment rate for accepted international students is “substantially lower” than that of California residents, and the cost of attendance for non-residents has increased. Last year, the UC Board of Regents approved a 10% increase in “nonresident” tuition, raising the fee from $34,200 to $37,602.
At the University of Southern California (USC), a leading destination for international students in the state, concerns about enrollment dips are also present. USC experienced a slight decline in overall international enrollment, falling from 12,374 last academic year to 11,959 this fall. However, the campus did see growth in its first-year international student population, with 21% – or 789 – of the 3,759 new first-year students arriving on student visas, compared to 17% (593 students) the previous year.
California consistently attracts the largest international student population of any state. In 2024, alongside USC, top destinations included UC Berkeley (12,441 students), UC San Diego (10,467 students), and UCLA (10,446 students), according to data from the Institute of International Education. STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – remain the most popular areas of study for international students.
Visa Issues and Travel Restrictions Impede Student Arrivals
Nationally, numerous students with plans to study in the U.S. were unable to enter the country due to difficulties securing visas. In late May, the State Department temporarily paused the scheduling of visa interviews for foreign students, resuming three weeks later with new vetting procedures that included reviewing applicants’ social media accounts.
According to Clay Harmon, executive director of the Assn. of International Enrollment Management, the timing of this pause had a “maximum possible impact” on visa issuances for the fall semester. A subsequent travel ban and other restrictions impacting 19 countries, announced by the administration in June, further exacerbated uncertainty for prospective students.
Federal data reveals that regions most affected by these restrictions experienced the largest declines in international student arrivals this August. Africa saw a 33% drop, the Middle East a 17% decline, and Asia a 24% decrease, including a significant 45% decrease from India, the country that sends the most students to the U.S. Some students already in the U.S. also chose to avoid international travel this summer, fearing difficulties with re-entry.
Concerns Over Political Climate and Funding
Beyond logistical hurdles, international students and their families have expressed concerns about the broader political climate and potential impacts on research funding. Earlier this year, the federal government briefly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing course, causing widespread panic. The administration has also suggested reducing colleges’ reliance on foreign students and capping international enrollment.
Syed Tamim Ahmad, a senior at UCLA, shared that he is now considering medical school in Australia after experiencing a shift in the opportunities available to international students. “When I was a freshman, the U.S. provided the most opportunities in terms of access to research funding and resources,” Ahmad said. “But by my senior year, a lot of these pull factors became push factors. Funding was cut down, affecting labs, and there is fear among international students about what they put on social media.”
Consultants working with prospective international students are also observing a decline in interest. Zeynep Bowlus, a higher education consultant in Istanbul, noted that families she works with are increasingly concerned about both financial considerations and policy changes in the U.S. “I try not to make it too dramatic, but at the same time, I tell them the reality of what’s going on and the potential hurdles that they may face,” Bowlus stated.
As the U.S. grapples with these challenges, institutions in other countries are actively seeking to attract students who may be reconsidering their options. Growing numbers of Chinese students are choosing to remain in Asia, while applications to universities in the United Kingdom have surged. Elisabeth Marksteiner, a higher education consultant in Cambridge, England, advises families considering U.S. universities to proceed with caution and have a backup plan in place. “My presumption is, it isn’t [going to carry on as it was in the past],” she said.
