US Foreign Student Applications Drop 9%—India Records First Decline Since 2020

As international student applications fall to levels not seen since the pandemic era, American universities are facing an unanticipated crisis. A concerning trend found in new data may change how higher education funding and diversity are allocated on campuses around the country in the future. The figures reveal policy effects, visa ambiguities, and changing preferences for international education that administrators never saw coming.

HIGHLIGHTS/TLDR:

• November 1, 2025: Common App releases data showing 9% overall decline in international student applications compared to previous year

• First Time Since 2020: India records 14% drop in US college applications, marking historic reversal for largest source country

• Regional Patterns Emerge: Africa sees an 18% decline, Asia down 9%, while only Vietnam and Uzbekistan show growth

• Policy Enforcement Intensifies: The Trump administration revokes thousands of visas, arrests pro-Palestinian student activists, and restricts interview availability throughout 2025

Decline Marks Historic Shift

Common App data released this week shows a 9% decline in international student applications to US colleges through November 1, 2025. This is an early warning indication that the immigration policies of the White House might be changing America's standing as the most desirable study destination in the world. The most complete picture of application trends during the early admission cycle can be found on the Common App platform, which is utilised by more than 1,100 universities across the country.

In contrast to growth patterns seen in prior years, when foreign interest in American higher education appeared to be unstoppable, the current decline marks a dramatic reversal. Due to the fact that international students usually pay full tuition and subsidise domestic students' educational expenses, universities are currently under increasing pressure to address budget deficits. The financial ramifications go beyond campus lines, endangering regional economies that rely on foreign study spending.

India Leads Application Downturn

Applications from India, which surpassed China as the top country for international students in 2024, fell 14%, the most since 2020. Given that Indian students make up almost 30% of all international enrollment at American universities, this change has significant ramifications. In 2025, the F-1 visa rejection rate for Indian students was roughly 71%, which caused a great deal of anxiety among potential applicants and their families. Students report that once travel plans were finalised, visa appointments were abruptly cancelled and approvals were revoked.

Between August 2024 and August 2025, the number of Indian students arriving fell by 44.5%, from 74,825 to just 41,540. Arrivals fell from 24,298 to 13,027 in July 2025, a further steep decline of 46.4%. These figures indicate that there will be significantly fewer Indian students enrolled on American campuses for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Regional Application Patterns

Applications from Asian students decreased by 9%, while those from African students decreased by 18%. The second-largest source nation, China, saw a slight 1% drop following a spike the year before. Only Uzbekistan and Vietnam demonstrated an increase in applications out of the ten nations that have historically supplied the greatest number of international students. Long-term changes in Chinese student preferences are reflected in the 12.8% drop in Chinese undergraduate enrollment, which has been declining for several years. During the July–August 2025 period, South Korean student arrivals dropped 10.9%, while Vietnamese student arrivals dropped 17.2%. Because of their special visa policies, Canada and Mexico were not included in these calculations.

Administration Enforcement Actions

Beginning in January 2025, the Trump administration imposed broad visa restrictions that drastically changed the environment for international students. Throughout the year, officials increased application requirements, arrested students engaged in pro-Palestinian activities, and revoked thousands of visas. In order to increase vetting procedures, such as thorough social media screening and improved background checks, the State Department temporarily halted student visa interviews in May and June 2025.

More than 4,700 student visas had been cancelled or put under review by the spring of 2025, frequently without justification. Students from Iran and other countries faced additional enrollment obstacles as a result of a travel ban that applied to citizens of 19 countries. The proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee for sponsoring employers could further diminish the attractiveness of American degrees for employment after graduation."

University Settlement Agreements

In November 2025, Cornell University reached a settlement to reinstate about $250 million in federal funding. The Ithaca-based organisation consented to pay a $30 million penalty to the federal government directly and invest $30 million in agricultural research over three years. In July 2025, Columbia University concluded a deal that included pledges to lessen its financial dependency on foreign enrollment.

In order to strengthen oversight by evaluating applicants' motivations for studying in the US, the settlement mandated that Columbia share pertinent data on international students. Access to admissions information, such as students' race, GPA, and results on standardised tests, must be granted to the federal government by both universities. Columbia is subject to an independent monitor who reports progress every six months, while Cornell is required to certify compliance with settlement terms on a quarterly basis.

Testing Requirements Resurface

The number of students reporting standardised test scores rose 11% compared to November 2024. The Trump administration pushed colleges to reinstate testing requirements that many institutions dropped during the pandemic.

This reversal addresses long-standing conservative criticism of test-optional policies, which were initially adopted to improve access for underrepresented students. Universities now face competing pressures to maintain holistic admissions while demonstrating compliance with merit-based standards demanded by federal authorities.

The restoration of testing requirements may disproportionately affect international students from regions where SAT and ACT preparation resources are limited. Financial constraints prevent many students from Global South countries from accessing expensive test preparation services available to wealthier applicants.

Enrollment Impact Projections

Individual universities report dramatic enrollment decreases for fall 2025. The University of Central Missouri, which awarded over 1,500 master's degrees to international students in 2024, saw new international enrollment drop 50%.

Ohio State University reported a 38% decline in new international students, while Indiana University experienced a 30% decrease across its campuses. DePaul University in Chicago disclosed a 62% plunge in international graduate enrollment, triggering faculty pay cuts and hiring freezes.

Niagara University confirmed a 45% decline in international students, leading to corresponding staff reductions. These institutional impacts reflect broader trends that could cost the American economy nearly $7 billion if enrollment falls 15% as projected.

Application Cycle Timeline

The Common App data represents an early snapshot and does not capture the complete application cycle, which extends through March 2026. Last year, international applications had increased through November but fell slightly by March, as federal enforcement intensified during the final admission months.

Consulates in India, China, Nigeria, and Japan report limited or no visa appointment availability for international students. India and China constitute the top two sending countries, while Nigeria ranks seventh and Japan thirteenth.

F-1 visa issuance declined 12% from January to April 2025 and dropped 22% in May 2025 compared to May 2024. These downward trends suggest that even students who receive admissions may struggle to obtain the necessary documentation for enrollment.

Economic Consequences

Approximately 1.2 million international students studied in the United States during the 2024-2025 academic year, according to NAFSA estimates. These students contribute substantially to university budgets through full-tuition payments and support local economies through housing, food, and entertainment spending.

The Institute of International Education's spring 2025 survey found that many colleges cited visa delays, sudden revocations, and perceived hostility as primary reasons for declining enrollment. Universities express concern that upcoming immigration regulations may further complicate recruitment efforts.

International students prove crucial for American employers and research organisations, providing talent pipelines in STEM fields and contributing to innovation ecosystems. Graduate enrollment remains at its highest level in years—more than 500,000 students—but undergraduate international populations stand at five-year lows.

TABLE 1: International Student Application Decline by Region (November 2025)

TABLE 2: Major University Enrollment Declines (Fall 2025)

TABLE 3: Student Arrival Statistics from India (2024 vs 2025)

Conclusion

The US college applications decline foreign students face in 2025 represents more than statistical fluctuation—it signals a fundamental reassessment of America's role in global higher education. With India recording its first application drop since 2020 and enforcement actions creating widespread visa uncertainty, universities confront unprecedented challenges to maintaining diverse, financially sustainable enrollment. The coming months will determine whether these trends accelerate or stabilise as the full application cycle concludes in March 2026.

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