US Colleges Report 20% Drop in Foreign Students Over Visa Clampdown
Surveyed schools blamed restrictive government policies, and more than a third said the decline could force budget cuts.
- Foreign student enrollment at U.S. universities fell by 20% this spring, according to a report published Monday by NAFSA surveying 149 American schools.
- Eighty-Four percent of surveyed schools cited "restrictive government policies" as the primary cause, following last year's Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions that created a climate of fear.
- About 62% of institutions reported lower foreign enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate programs, with graduate levels recording an average fall of 24%.
- While the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.—the "big four"—all saw declines, institutions in Europe and Asia reported enrollment growth.
- Oxford University professor Simon Marginson warns that fewer international students could impact research and innovation, especially in STEM, as fall enrollment faces a "worsening outlook.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Diversity News (May 12, 2026)
~~~ US Colleges Report 20% Drop in Foreign Students Over Visa Clampdown There are basically two types of political systems, those oriented toward goals or those fallen into cronyism. When you get a crony system, like America after the 0’Clintons, government takes control by making every industry dependent on government cash and regulations. This enables...
U.S. Sees 20% Drop in New International Students
A view of Harvard University's campus in Cambridge, Mass., on May 24, 2025. —Ziyu Julian Zhu—Xinhua/Getty ImagesAmerican universities are beginning to see international student enrollment drop, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s increasingly restrictive immigration policies, and institutions in Asia and Europe may stand to benefit.Foreign student enrollment at U.S. universities for the 2026 spring semester fell by 20% from last spring, acc…
International student enrolment in US falls 20% as visa restrictions hit
Foreign undergraduate enrollment in US colleges has dropped by 20% this spring, with 62% of surveyed schools reporting lower international intake. Restrictive government policies and visa enforcement actions are cited as the primary drivers for this decline, impacting university finances and leading to potential budget cuts.
US Colleges Report 20% Drop in Foreign Students Over Visa Clampdown
The number of new foreign undergraduate students at US colleges dropped by an average of 20% this spring from a year earlier, according to a study by a coalition of education groups, the latest sign that President Donald Trump’s standoff with higher education is hammering a key source of talent and funding.
F-1 Student Visas Drop 20%: US Colleges Expect Worse
US student visas are continuing to witness a downward trend during the spring semester, raising concerns about an even bigger decline in the upcoming fall intake. Educational institutions and international education experts believe the situation could become more serious later this year under the current visa environment. According to a report by Bloomberg, a survey […] The post F-1 Student Visas Drop 20%: US Colleges Expect Worse appeared first…
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