Survey: International Enrollment Drops Sharpen as U.S. Loses Ground as a Study Destination

A new Institute of International Education survey of 585 U.S. colleges and universities paints a sobering picture of international enrollment in the wake of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, finding that 59% of institutions saw a decline in international applications during the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. Despite the turmoil, 82% of institutions said international recruitment remains a strategic priority, though that is down from 89% the year before, and many are adapting their approaches by shifting to virtual recruitment, personalized outreach, and, in some cases, exploring offshore and online program delivery for students who are interested in a U.S. degree but reluctant to cross a border. Looking ahead, 63% of institutions expect their international enrollment to fall further, with doctoral universities most pessimistic, and 80% cited travel restrictions as a key concern, with experts noting that the perception of studying in the U.S. as too risky is now taking hold in key source countries like India and Türkiye. The one bright spot is study abroad, where participation is expected to increase or hold steady at most institutions, continuing a gradual post-pandemic recovery.