7 Alarming Trends as the Indian Student Drop-Off Triggers a 17% Fall in US Enrolments amid visa delays and tighter immigration rules. The United States—long the world’s top destination for higher education—has witnessed one of its steepest year-on-year declines in new international student enrolments. A 17% fall in new international admissions for Fall 2025 has been reported by the Institute of International Education (IIE), with US colleges overwhelmingly blaming visa delays, Trump-era restrictions, and travel uncertainties.
Behind this nationwide slump lies one decisive factor:
A significant fall in Indian student enrolments.
India remains the largest source of international students in the US, with more than 3.6 lakh students in 2024–25. But this year’s early data reveals that new admissions from India have sharply dropped, disrupting long-established growth patterns. In this special 1800-word report, we examine what caused this downturn, how Trump’s immigration policies are reshaping US education flows, and why India continues to dominate US campuses despite mounting hurdles.
7 Alarming Trends as the Indian Student Drop-Off Triggers a 17% Fall in US Enrolments
The Big Picture: A 17% Drop in New International Students
According to the new IIE snapshot survey across 825 US universities:
- New international enrolments fell 17% this fall.
- 96% of institutions blamed visa application delays or denials.
- 68% cited travel restrictions linked to Trump-era administrative changes.
- In total, 57% of institutions reported an overall decline in new foreign student admissions.
This decline follows a period of massive growth, especially from India. But this academic year, administrative hurdles, longer wait times and heightened visa screening have created shockwaves across international student mobility.
Indian Students at the Centre of the Decline
Indian students—who form the largest group of internationals in the US—are driving the 17% drop.
Multiple reports indicate that:
- Most US institutions saw fewer new Indian students.
- F-1 visa issuance for Indians dropped 33.2% in fiscal 2024.
- Graduate enrolment from India fell 9.5% in 2024–25.
- Many institutions report uncertainty among Indian applicants due to new visa checks and denials.
This sudden downturn comes after years of booming Indian enrolment, including a 23% surge just a year earlier.
Yet, despite the slowdown in new admissions, India still leads the US international student population, surpassing China for the second consecutive year.
Why Are Student Visas Being Delayed or Denied?
US colleges overwhelmingly blame visa processing challenges for the enrolment decline.
Institutions reporting obstacles:
- 96% said the visa application process deterred students.
- 68% said travel restrictions affected student arrivals.
- Many cited temporary pauses in visa issuance earlier in 2025.
- Embassies faced months-long wait times, especially in India.
Trump-era policies still in force
The Trump administration tightened international student scrutiny through:
- Caps on international enrolment at some universities
- Social media screening requirements for all student visa applicants
- Revocation of over 6,000 F-1 visas for alleged violations
- Tougher background checks for STEM students
- A temporary freeze on visa interview appointments earlier this year
These measures created uncertainty—even as US colleges rely heavily on foreign students for revenue and campus diversity.
What the Open Doors 2025 Report Reveals
The Open Doors 2025 report provides a broader view of international student trends:
Total international students in the US (2024–25): 1.17 million
A 5% increase from last year.
India remains No.1
- Indian students: 3,63,019 (up 10%)
- China: 2,65,919 (down 4%)
- South Korea remains stable
Despite the fall in new enrolments, total Indian enrolment grew because:
- Previous years saw strong admissions.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) expanded 47% for Indian students.
- Undergraduate enrolment surged 11%.
The only category that shrank:
Graduate enrolment from India — down 9.5%.
This is significant because Indian students have traditionally dominated US master’s programmes, especially in STEM.
Financial Stakes: $55 Billion in Economic Impact
International students continue to be a cornerstone of the US higher education economy.
- They contributed $55 billion to the US economy in 2024–25.
- 6% of all US college students are international.
- Most international students pay full tuition, without access to US federal financial aid.
Indian students alone spent nearly $14 billion.
That’s almost equal to China’s contribution—even though China has far fewer students enrolled than a decade ago.
For universities facing declining domestic enrolments, international students remain critical lifelines.
Universities Are Worried About the Future
Institution leaders say they are alarmed not just by the current drop, but by what it signals for 2026 and 2027.
“There are warning signs for future years,”
said Clay Harmon, Executive Director of AIRC.
“I’m really concerned about fall ’26 and ’27.”
Universities are now increasing communication with admitted students, offering:
- more deferrals
- hybrid learning options
- delayed start dates
- emergency support for visa issues
The survey noted a 39% rise in deferrals, indicating that many students still hope to come—but cannot currently obtain visas.
India’s Student Trends: Strong Interest Despite Barriers
Even with declining new enrolments, Indian students maintain strong long-term interest in US education.
Key Indian enrolment shifts (2024–25):
- UG students: up 11%
- Graduate students: down 9.5%
- OPT participation: up 47%
- Total Indian students: up 10%
- Most popular fields remain STEM:
- 43% Computer Science
- 23% Engineering
- 11% Business Management
Public universities continue to attract Indians
63% of Indian students are enrolled at public institutions in states such as:
- Texas
- California
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Illinois
Community colleges and master’s universities saw 8% enrolment growth, suggesting students are looking for affordable pathways.
China’s Decline Continues
China, once the dominant sender of international students, has now recorded its fifth consecutive annual decline.
- Enrolment fell another 4% in 2024–25.
- Contributing factors include domestic economic uncertainties, rising geopolitical tensions, and fewer STEM-bound applicants.
For the first time in more than a decade, Indian students outnumber Chinese students significantly.
This shift is reshaping recruitment strategies across US campuses.
Visa Screening Tightens After Campus Protests
Trump’s administration intensified visa scrutiny following large-scale pro-Palestine protests on US campuses earlier this year.
New measures include:
- requiring compulsory disclosure of all social media accounts
- additional background checks for certain nationalities
- expanded security interviews
- stricter review of STEM fields linked to national security
While aimed at strengthening oversight, these measures have slowed down processing dramatically.
How Universities Are Reacting
US universities are trying to stay competitive by expanding recruitment efforts.
UG recruitment targets:
- India
- Vietnam
- Brazil
- South Korea
PG recruitment targets:
- India
- Bangladesh
- China
- Vietnam
Many universities said they now consider international recruitment a high institutional priority—84% in the IIE survey.
Global Trends: Some Countries Hit Record Highs
Despite the overall decline in new international enrolments, several countries reached all-time highs in total students in the US:
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- Colombia
- Ghana
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Spain
- Vietnam
- India
This suggests that long-term demand remains resilient, even as entry barriers fluctuate.
Why Indian Students Still Choose the US
Despite political and procedural hurdles, the US remains the No.1 destination because of:
- World-leading institutions
- Strong STEM programmes
- Large Indian communities
- High earning potential through OPT and STEM OPT
- A globally recognised degree value
- Clear pathways to work experience post-study
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised Indian students abroad:
“Wherever Indian students go, they excel, not by chance, but by capability and character.”
What Happens Next?
With the US election cycle ongoing and immigration remaining a polarising issue, the future of international student mobility may depend heavily on upcoming policy decisions.
If visa processing stabilises, numbers could rebound.
If restrictions tighten further, declines may accelerate.
For now, the combination of:
- visa delays,
- travel restrictions,
- heightened screening,
- and uncertainty around future policies
has already reshaped the 2025 international enrolment landscape.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for US Higher Education?
The 17% drop in new international student enrolments is more than a temporary fluctuation—it’s a warning for US institutions.
While India remains the top source of students, and total Indian enrolment continues to grow, the sharp fall in new admissions signals rising barriers that could reshape global student mobility in the years ahead.
As universities scramble to adjust, and as students weigh options like Canada, the UK, Australia, and Europe, US policymakers will have to decide:Is America ready to remain the world’s leading study destination—or will visa challenges push students elsewhere?
Also Read: 7 Bold Policy Shifts: Trump’s Stunning Change of Heart on H-1B, Tariffs, and Foreign Students
Also Read: US colleges see drop in foreign applications as India records sharp decline
