After Trump's new visa policy, the number of new international students at American universities plummeted by 17%

Under the influence of the Trump administration's tough policies, the number of new international students enrolling in U.S. universities is experiencing one of the sharpest declines on record.

Latest data shows that the number of newly enrolled international students has plummeted by 17% this year, which poses a direct threat to universities' tuition revenue and raises concerns about the long-term innovation capacity and economic growth prospects of the United States.

According to a survey funded by the U.S. Department of State and released by the Institute of International Education (IIE), this significant drop is the largest since 1948, aside from the global travel halt caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the 825 U.S. higher education institutions surveyed, as many as 57% reported a decline in new international student enrollment, while only 29% recorded an increase.

It is widely believed that a series of tough policies by the Trump administration regarding higher education and immigration are the main reasons for the loss of student sources. The report points out that visa issues and travel restrictions are the primary obstacles. In addition, the government's legal actions against universities, cuts in federal funding, and threats to deport or deny entry to students holding "anti-American" views have exacerbated international students' uncertainty about studying in the U.S.

The economic impact of this trend cannot be ignored. Currently, including students participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program after graduation, the total number of international students in the U.S. is about 1.17 million, contributing $44 billion to the U.S. economy through tuition and other expenditures. Fanta Aw, CEO of the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA), warned that "this is a significant decline, indicating that government policies do have consequences—especially at the graduate level, which is where the U.S. benefits the most."

Visa and Restriction Policies as Major Obstacles

Among the many factors leading to the decline in new international students, the uncertainty of visa policies is paramount. In institutions reporting a decrease in new student numbers, as many as 96% attributed the reasons to visa application issues, with many students reporting delays in processing or outright visa denials. Additionally, more than two-thirds of institutions mentioned the impact of travel restrictions.

In addition to direct visa barriers, a series of actions by the Trump administration have also shaken international students' confidence in studying in the U.S. This year, the federal government has initiated legal actions against several universities on grounds of anti-Semitism, anti-conservative bias, and restrictions on campus free speech. The government not only revoked billions of dollars in federal funding but also threatened to restrict visas and threatened to deport or deny entry to students holding "anti-American" views.

Meanwhile, the uncertain prospects for the H-1B work visas that many international students plan to apply for after graduation have also become an important consideration when choosing study destinations. Reports indicate that the U.S. government recently circulated a draft of a "Higher Education Contract," attempting to cap the proportion of international students at 15% of the total student population. The government has also fined some universities and implemented new regulations, and is currently in litigation with Harvard University, attempting to completely revoke its right to enroll international students.

Economic and Innovation Under Dual Pressure

The sharp decline in international freshmen is putting dual pressure on the U.S. economy and innovation ecosystem. Last year, 1.17 million international students contributed $44 billion to the U.S. economy, with tuition fees being a significant component. The drop in the number of freshmen means that many universities will directly face the risk of reduced tuition revenue.

A deeper impact is the loss of talent. Fanta Aw from the Association of International Educators NAFSA pointed out that the uncertainty of visa policies has led many students to lose confidence in the U.S. Even if they receive deferred admission from U.S. universities (to spring or next fall), they may ultimately decide to study in other countries. Once this trend takes hold, it will pose a long-term challenge to the U.S.'s status as a global hub for top talent.

In addition to direct economic losses, the decrease in international students may also weaken the U.S.'s innovative vitality and economic growth. For a long time, overseas talent, especially graduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), has been a significant driving force behind U.S. research and innovation.

Institutions Adjust Strategies, Changes in Student Source Structure

In response to changes in the external environment, some U.S. universities have begun to adjust their enrollment strategies. Vallabh Sambamurthy, Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stated, "We have relied too much on international students in the past," and noted that the school is now emphasizing "serving our own citizens" in response to "some dissatisfaction."

This shift has had a tangible impact on the school's curriculum structure. Sambamurthy revealed that in the past two years, the proportion of international students in some of the college's specialized programs (such as the Master of Science in Business Analytics) has dropped from 70% to 30%. He analyzed that one reason is employers' reluctance to hire graduates whose visa status may become more uncertain.

From the perspective of source countries, the data also shows a new structure. In the 2024-2025 academic year, India remains the largest source country for international students in the U.S., accounting for over 30%; China ranks second, accounting for 23%; South Korea ranks third with less than 4%. Notably, the number of students from Ghana has seen the largest increase, growing by 37% compared to the previous academic year, reaching nearly 13,000, accounting for 1% of the total