US student enrolment projected to fall 9.5%: What it means for Indians

skip to content
International students contributed $41.77 billion to the US economy in the Fall of 2025-26. (AI generated image)

Universities in the United States are preparing for fewer foreign students on campuses nationwide in Fall 2026 following the Trump administration’s crackdown on visa rules and shifting immigration policy, according to a new report by a non-profit organisation of educators

International student enrollment projected to fall 9.5%

International student enrolment at US colleges and universities is projected to fall by 9.5 per cent in Fall 2026, representing roughly 111,000 fewer students, according to an analysis by NAFSA and JB International, the Washington Post reported

US economy could lose $3.4 billion

The projected decline could cost US communities about $3.4 billion in economic activity and put roughly 39,000 jobs at risk, according to the analysis

NAFSA and JB International estimate that the number of international students could fall from about 11.69 lakh in 2025-26 to roughly 10.57 lakh in Fall 2026 if the projected decline materialises

US international student enrollment is projected to fall 9.5% in Fall 2026 amid tighter visa rules and shifting US immigration policies. (Photo: NAFSA website)

International students’ economic contribution to shrink

NAFSA and JB International estimated that international students contributed about $41.8 billion to the US economy in the 2025-26 academic year

India among countries facing impact

India, the largest of countries that will be affected by the shifting landscape. Close to 3.63 lakh Indian students enrolled in different courses in American colleges and universities in the academic year 2024-25, PTI reported

Key factors driving the decline

• Reduced demand
• Visa ban
• FIFA World Cup 2026
• Limited appointment availability
• Policy and regulatory uncertainty

Visa priority shift adds to student enrollment concerns

Apart from stricter travel policies, the US State Department’s priority shift to issuing visas for the FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders over students also affected international enrollments at universities. Traditionally, the State Department has prioritised scholar and student visa applications during peak season, which helped ensure timely campus arrival of students

According to Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, “The projections underscore what we’ve long warned: US policy and regulations affect where international students plan to invest their future, and their decisions carry significant short- and long-term consequences for US society and economy.”

“All Americans lose when international students and scholars are driven to more welcoming countries. Forfeiting the US position as the top destination for global talent hurts students, hospitals, research laboratories, the economies – and carries the real risk that the next big invention will not happen on US soil,” the NAFSA CEO added

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

• Arsenal vs Manchester City Community Shield 2026 Live Score: ARS 3-0 MCI in 2nd half22 minutes ago
• World News Updates: CENTCOM commander visits US aircraft carrier for second time amid morale concerns2 hours ago
• Vishwanath and Sons Box Office Collection Day 2 Updates: Suriya film crosses Rs 100 crore mark worldwide2 hours ago
• Batwara 1947 Box Office Collection Day 2 Updates: Sunny Deol film faces tough competition from Awarapan 22 hours ago
• Awarapan 2 Box Office Collection Day 2 Updates: Emraan Hashmi film surpasses Rs 72 cr mark worldwide2 hours ago

Source: indianexpress.com