Early projections on international student enrollment ahead of the fall semester show significant declines, causing some institutions to cut their budgets.
Federal data analyzed by The New York Times reveals that the number of international students who entered the U.S. in August fell by 19% compared to last year. Arrivals by Asian students, who make up 70% of the country’s international learners, fell by nearly 25%.
The projected decrease may upend the resurgence of international enrollment following the pandemic.
While the data could not distinguish between new enrollees and those returning to campus, it hints at the impact of the Trump administration’s push to curtail international enrollment. In 10 months, the U.S. has revoked over 6,000 student visas, restricted F-1 and J-1 approvals and suspended processing and interviews.
Harvard University, a magnet for top graduate student talent, is embroiled in a legal battle following federal efforts to suspend its certification to enroll international students.
In July, the Association of International Educators projected a 15% drop in international enrollment this year, including a 30% to 40% decrease in new students. The forecast would result in a $7 billion hit to the U.S. economy and cost over 60,000 jobs, the nonprofit predicted.
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International students currently make up 6% of all postsecondary enrollment in the U.S., and more than one-third of STEM-oriented master’s and postdoctoral programs.
Some institutions have cut budgets because of the visa changes.
At DePaul University in Illinois, graduate student enrollment dropped by nearly 62%. Potential responses include administrative pay cuts, hiring freezes and layoffs, according to a memo from DePaul President Rob Manuel.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Thomas Gibson said his campus is planning for a 4% budget reduction due in part to “significant declines” in international student enrollment. Gibson did not quantify the decline in students over last year, but it was consequential enough to flatten total first-year enrollment across the University of Wisconsin system, Wisconsin Public Radio reports.
“Certainly, some of the visa policies have impacted international student enrollment, largely in response to visa processing delays, as well as the new vetting activity of students’ social media accounts,” Gibson said.
While most Americans across the political spectrum support international student enrollment, nearly half support some of the Trump administration’s hardline stances, according to the Pew Research Center. For example, more than 40% agreed with capping the percentage of students allowed from each country and canceling the visas of students who criticize U.S. policy.
