US Colleges See Sharp Decline in Indian Enrolment
U.S. colleges are experiencing a significant decline in enrollment from Indian students for the 2025 academic year, according to a new report from a State Department-funded international education organization. The data highlights the increasing impact of visa restrictions and policy uncertainty on Indian students wishing to study abroad.
The report indicates that graduate enrollment from India fell by 10 percent for the 2024–25 academic year, while the overall number of international students in the U.S. is projected to drop by 17 percent for the fall 2025 intake. Over 61 percent of U.S. institutions reported a reduction in enrollment from India, with 96 percent attributing this decline primarily to visa processing concerns. Additional factors included travel restrictions and ongoing policy uncertainty.
Despite this downturn, India remains the largest source of international students in the United States. In the 2024–25 cycle, Indian students represented nearly half of all graduate-level enrollments and one-third of the total international student population. However, this occurs alongside the first significant decline in graduate course enrollments, marking an overall 10 percent drop in Indian participation compared to the previous year.
The decrease has been linked to ongoing scrutiny of visas from the Trump era, which has continued across different administrations. The report notes over 170 federal investigations concerning H-1B visa misuse, new legislative efforts by conservative lawmakers to limit or eliminate the program, and a proposed fee of USD 100,000 for H-1B applications. Since January 2025, the U.S. State Department has reportedly revoked more than 6,000 student visas.
Higher education experts warn that these visa-related disruptions could financially impact U.S. universities. International students make up roughly six percent of the total higher education enrollment in America and contribute nearly USD 55 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Their tuition fees and living expenses support over 355,000 jobs, particularly in research universities and STEM programs.
U.S. institutions have begun lobbying for reforms to the visa system, citing risks to research output, innovation, and global competitiveness. Analysts note that even a short-term decline in Indian student numbers could affect future talent pipelines in sectors such as technology, engineering, and healthcare.
As the fall 2025 cycle approaches, universities are expected to ramp up recruitment efforts in India, while students remain cautious due to tightening immigration policies. Whether U.S. policymakers ease restrictions or impose further barriers will determine if this decline is temporary or signals a long-term shift in global student mobility.
