Expert Commentary Available: U.S. sees 17% Drop in New Foreign Students
New international student enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities plunged 17% in fall 2025, the steepest non-pandemic decline in over a decade, according to data released today by the Institute of International Education. More than half of the 825 institutions surveyed reported decreases, with a majority citing visa application concerns.
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Neal McCluskey, Director of Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom, warns: “Dropping international student enrollment is troubling for American higher education and the country. The United States has long been a major destination for international students seeking top-flight education, which brings both money and talent to the country. We should avoid disrupting that.”
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