First-year international applications to US colleges drop 10% amid policy shifts
Applications from first-year international students to U.S. universities fell about 10% in the 2025-26 admissions cycle, ending nearly a decade of growth as interest weakened across major source regions, according to a new report.
First-year applications from international students to U.S. colleges and universities decreased by 10% in the 2025-26 admissions cycle, according to the Common Application. The total number of applications dropped to 148,780, a decline of approximately 16,000 from the previous year. This trend was consistent across various regions, with applications from Asia decreasing by 11% and those from Africa falling by 17%.
Notably, this international decline contrasts with the 4% increase in domestic applications during the same period. The Common App's 2025-26 End-of-Season Report attributes the downturn to the stricter immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration. Prospective students faced increased scrutiny over visas and immigration rules, which created uncertainty and affected their willingness to apply.
These policy changes, including entry restrictions for 39 countries, disrupted visa processing during peak seasons, and limited the Optional Practical Training program for international STEM graduates, have collectively contributed to the drop in international enrollment. Experts predict that these policy shifts could lead to a loss of up to $3.4 billion in economic activity and nearly 40,000 jobs in the U.S. higher education sector next academic year.
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