Foreign undergraduate enrolment in US colleges has fallen by an average of 20% this spring compared to a year earlier, according to a study by a coalition of education groups, including the international education organisation NAFSA, as cited by Bloomberg. The data, based on a survey of 149 American schools, points to a sharp decline linked to tighter visa rules and policy changes under the Trump administration.
Majority of colleges report weaker international intake
According to the findings, 62% of the surveyed institutions reported lower international enrolment in both undergraduate and graduate programmes compared to spring 2025. Universities are treating the spring semester trend as an early signal for the larger and more important fall intake.
International students, who often pay full tuition fees, play a key role in university finances, especially as domestic student numbers slow due to demographic changes. A decline of this scale in the fall could lead to serious budget pressure for several institutions. A majority of colleges surveyed pointed to policy changes as the main reason for the drop. As per the report, 84% of US schools cited “restrictive government policies” as the key factor behind falling enrolments. More than one-third of institutions also said the decline could result in budget cuts.
Visa restrictions and enforcement actions weigh on demand
The downturn follows a series of immigration enforcement actions and visa policy shifts. Last spring, immigration authorities detained dozens of foreign students, including some on campuses and in dormitories, and revoked the legal status of thousands more. Although most cases were later reversed after legal challenges, the impact on student sentiment and applications continued.
Overall international enrolment in the US had already declined by 1.4% last fall compared to the previous year. However, most of those students had begun their applications before stricter policy measures were introduced. The report notes that enforcement actions began around March, while student visa interviews were paused in May during peak processing season, ahead of new review rules introduced in June. Visa approvals also fell sharply. Student visa issuances dropped by 36% last summer, according to the report. The survey also covered institutions in other major education destinations, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, which also reported weaker international enrolment this spring.
In contrast, universities in Europe and Asia recorded increases in foreign student numbers.
(With Bloomberg inputs)
