COLUMBUS, Ohio — International student enrollment is falling at U.S. colleges this fall amid visa delays, tighter immigration rules and growing competition from universities abroad, raising concerns about college budgets and the country’s ability to attract global talent.
U.S. colleges and universities could enroll 112,000 fewer international students this fall, a decline projected to cost the economy up to $3.5 billion and nearly 39,000 jobs, according to an analysis from the Association of International Educators.
The Institute of International Education found that new international student enrollment fell 17%. In a separate survey, 63% of colleges said they expected further declines during the 2026-27 school year.
The shift is already visible at Ohio State University, one of the nation’s largest universities. International enrollment fell nearly 13% from fall 2025 even as the university’s overall enrollment grew.
The decline was sharper among students arriving for the first time. Ohio State enrolled 374 new international freshmen at its Columbus campus this fall, down from 536 in 2025 and 850 in 2024 — a 56% drop in two years.
The Institute of International Education pointed to fewer applications, visa appointment delays, new immigration restrictions and concerns about the U.S. political climate as factors behind the decline.
For Ohio State sophomore Alyan Jameel, the numbers reflect an experience that began before he arrived on campus. The Pakistan native expected to study in the United States alongside friends from home, but he was the only one who made it.
“All of my friends applied to colleges in the United States and a lot of them got their visas rejected and a lot of them had a fear that they won’t be able to stay in the United States for the longer term,” Jameel said.
Ohio State President Ravi Bellamkonda said immigration policy is influencing how families view studying in the United States.
“I think there’s a legitimate and necessary reason to take on illegal immigration. But the legal pathways to the message, which we seem to be sending, is that we’re not so open to those pathways and that uncertainty is creating some confusion amongst families that are wanting to send their kids here,” Bellamkonda said.
Immigration policy is only part of the decline. Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey said American universities now face more competition from institutions abroad as students find additional options in their home countries.
“Not all of the changes are the United States being less receptive to the students. Certainly, our institutions want them, but they have more opportunities in their own countries,” Duffey said.
The United States remains the world’s leading destination for international students, with India and China sending the largest numbers. Updated enrollment figures from both countries are expected in November.
Decline threatens college revenue
International students often pay higher tuition rates than students from within the state, making them an important source of revenue for colleges and universities.
“It’s the highest tuition, out-of-state tuition surcharges, those kinds of things. So they were net import of revenue for these universities. And losing that means that we have to make it up,” Duffey said.
The financial stakes also affect the students paying that tuition. Jameel came to the United States, expecting that his degree would help him find a job after graduation. He now worries changing immigration rules could make that next step more difficult.
“Seeing the laws change over time, it does make me question if I should be investing my money, coming here and paying all the international tuition,” Jameel said.
Bellamkonda said the decline could also affect the country’s ability to compete for talented students.
“We should be open to having the best possible talent to compete against countries,” Bellamkonda said.
For Jameel, the international students who reach campus provide more than tuition revenue or talent. They offer a community of people who understand what it means to leave home and begin again in another country.
“I packed my two suitcases. That was my entire life, and I brought it over to this new country. And seeing that other people did the same thing makes me feel like, okay, I’m not alone here. I have people like me, and we’re in the same process,” Jameel said.
Source: spectrumnews1.com
