New enrolment of international students in the United States declined this autumn, according to new Open Doors data from the Institute of International Education. The number of foreign students beginning college for the first time fell by 17 per cent this semester, a drop that follows actions by the Trump administration aimed at tightening rules around student visas.

This decrease comes after a 7 per cent decline in the 2024–25 academic year, driven in part by a fall in the number of students from China amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The administration’s rhetoric toward higher education and immigration in 2025 has created significant disruption for universities, leaving many prospective students abroad either unable or unwilling to pursue studies in the United States.

During the summer, the administration instituted a month-long pause on visa interviews and later introduced stricter vetting procedures alongside fewer available appointments. These measures have increased financial strain on institutions, many of which rely on full-tuition payments from international students. Even so, colleges continue their efforts to recruit overseas applicants. More than half of the institutions surveyed are allowing admitted international students to defer their enrolment to next autumn, and most say they will continue focusing on international recruitment.

The survey shows that over 80 per cent of institutions value the perspectives international students bring to campus, while 60 per cent emphasise the importance of their financial contributions. Open Doors is sponsored by the US Department of State and supported by the Institute of International Education, which has studied international student trends since 1919.

The decline in new foreign enrolment predates the start of Trump’s second term. Data from the 2024–25 school year show variation across academic levels, with the number of new undergraduates rising by 5 per cent, while new graduate enrolment fell by 15 per cent.

India remained the largest source of international students in the United States, sending more than 363,000 students in 2024–25, a 10 per cent increase from the previous year. China followed with about 266,000 students, representing a 4 per cent decrease.

The United States continues to be the leading global destination for international students. The total number of foreign students in the country grew by 5 per cent to roughly 1.2 million in the 2024–25 academic year. International students contributed nearly US$55 billion to the US economy in 2024.