The number of international students in the US is set to decline in Fall 2027, creating opportunities for applicants with the right guidance
International student enrollments are expected to drop considerably in Fall 2026. This comes as a result of a declining interest in studying in the United States which is caused by a combination of challenges to secure a student visa, recent safety issues on US campuses, and an overall perception that the US is no longer welcoming to international students.
The US hosted a record 1.17 million international students in the 2024/25 academic year (source: IIE Open Doors). This is split with 75 percent (883,513) studying students with 25 percent (294,253) working in the US on OPT (Optional Practical Training). India, China, and South Korea are the countries that sent the highest number of international students.
Early application data is showing a decline in international applications. New international enrollments dropped 17 percent in Fall 2025 and are expected to drop further in Fall 2026.
This creates both challenges and opportunities.
The biggest challenge is for institutions that have historically enrolled large number of international students. New York University, Northeaster University, Columbia University, Arizona State University, and University of Southern California were the top five institutions for international enrollment volume for 2024/25 according to IIE Open Doors data. The largest, NYU, enrolled 27,532 international students. If the 17 percent overall drop in international enrollments was applied to NYU, that would result in a decrease in international enrollments by 4,681. Not saying this is the case, but that drop in enrollments is larger than the international enrollment at most US universities.
This is a huge opportunity for students applying to institutions that historically have competitive admissions. With the right guidance and insight, an application has a higher likelihood of being accepted than in years past. The right advisor can guide on the entire application process: application, essay, resume, letters of recommendation, interview, and more.
