Key Facts
- ✓ Graduate international student enrollment at US colleges fell by 5.9% in fall 2025, marking the first decline in three years.
- ✓ The drop in graduate enrollment resulted in nearly 10,000 fewer foreign students signing up for advanced degree programs compared to the previous year.
- ✓ Undergraduate international enrollment defied the trend with a 3.2% increase, adding 5,000 students to the incoming class.
- ✓ The State Department has revoked over 100,000 visas, including 8,000 student visas, as part of broader security enforcement.
- ✓ Total postsecondary enrollment in the US reached 19.4 million, a slight increase from 19.2 million the year prior.
- ✓ New visa requirements mandate that applicants set their social media accounts to public visibility.
Quick Summary
For the first time in three years, the number of foreign students enrolling in US universities has declined, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of American higher education. The decline is primarily concentrated at the graduate level, where international enrollment fell by 5.9% in fall 2025.
This downturn follows years of steady growth and comes as the Trump administration implements stricter immigration controls. While undergraduate international enrollment saw a modest increase, the overall trend points to a more challenging environment for students seeking to study in the United States.
Enrollment Data Breakdown
According to data released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, graduate international student enrollment experienced a notable decrease in fall 2025. There were nearly 10,000 fewer foreign students signing up for graduate programs compared to the previous year.
This represents a 5.9% decline from the year before, ending a period of consistent expansion. The data highlights a clear divergence between graduate and undergraduate trends within the international student community.
Conversely, the undergraduate sector demonstrated resilience. International enrollment at the undergraduate level increased by 3.2%, adding approximately 5,000 students to the total numbers coming from abroad.
When combined with domestic enrollment figures, total postsecondary enrollments showed a slight overall increase. In total, there were 19.4 million postsecondary enrollments—comprising 16.2 million undergraduates and 3.2 million graduates—up from 19.2 million the previous year.
"We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe."
— Department of State
Policy Impact & Visa Restrictions
The decline in graduate enrollment coincides with a broader immigration clampdown by the Trump administration. School administrators typically welcome international students because they often pay the full fees, making the drop a concern for many institutions.
The State Department has been actively enforcing stricter measures. In a post on X this week, the agency announced it had revoked 8,000 student visas as part of its mission to "keep America safe."
We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.
The State Department reported that it has revoked over 100,000 visas in total, including the 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas for individuals with encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity.
New Application Requirements
Following a temporary halt, the State Department reopened student visa applications in June of last year. However, the process now includes new scrutiny regarding applicants' digital footprints.
Applicants are required to set their social media accounts to public. This requirement was initially specific to student visas but was extended to others applying for visas just before Christmas.
These procedural changes add layers of complexity for prospective international students. The combination of increased scrutiny and policy shifts appears to be influencing enrollment decisions at the graduate level.
Looking Ahead
The 5.9% decline in graduate international enrollment marks a significant turning point after three years of growth. While undergraduate numbers remain stable, the trend at the graduate level suggests a cooling interest or increased difficulty in securing admission and visas.
As the Trump administration continues to prioritize strict immigration enforcement, US universities may face ongoing challenges in attracting global talent. The balance between national security concerns and the economic benefits brought by international students remains a central theme in the higher education sector.
