admissionJune 5, 2026
U.S. International Student Enrollment Shows Slight Decline Amid Policy Uncertainty, SEVIS Data Reveals
New SEVIS data released during International Education Week shows 1.16 million international students enrolled in U.S. degree programs as of October 2025, with a slight year-on-year drop driven by visa and policy concerns.
The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration released updated international student enrollment data drawn from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) in November 2025. As of October 2025, 1.16 million international students were enrolled in Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs at U.S. institutions — a slight decline compared to the previous year. The data also reflects a growing number of international graduates enrolled in Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT programs. The broader context includes significant disruption earlier in 2025: in April, the Department of Homeland Security temporarily terminated the SEVIS records of a number of F-1 visa holders, a move that was subsequently reversed. Institutions such as UC Davis advised their international student communities to remain vigilant, as the government signaled it would issue clearer future guidance on SEVIS termination criteria. For prospective international applicants targeting U.S. universities in 2026, these trends underscore the importance of monitoring visa policy developments closely and maintaining open communication with university international student offices.