(MENAFN) New enrollment of overseas students at American colleges and universities has plunged this year, declining sharply amid expanding visa holdups and the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies, according to newly released figures from Monday.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) revealed a 17% decrease in first-time international students for fall 2025 — representing the most significant non-pandemic downturn in over ten years.

The findings indicated that 96% of campuses identified complications in visa applications as an obstacle, while 68% highlighted travel limitations as additional impediments.

Schools also observed that apprehension among prospective learners about feeling unwelcome in the United States (67%) and heightened unease about the nation’s broader social and political atmosphere (64%) — including anti-immigrant rhetoric expressed by influential authorities — may have played a role in the reduction of new student arrivals.

Fanta Aw, CEO of the Association of International Educators, remarked in a statement cited by NBC News that the US is becoming “less competitive” in the global education landscape as students encounter increasing challenges obtaining visas.

The organization further approximated an economic setback of $1.1 billion tied to this year’s diminished number of international students.

Because many universities charge higher rates for these students — helping offset costs and keep tuition lower for domestic students — a shortage of international enrollment may result in rising standard tuition prices.

MENAFN18112025000045017167ID1110358688