US Colleges See 14% Drop In Indian Student Applications This Year; First Fall Since 2020

For the first time since 2020, applications from Indian students to US colleges have seen a noticeable dip. It’s not just India, but overall international student applications have declined this year. Experts say this slowdown is linked to the White House’s efforts to tighten regulations on foreign enrollments. Scroll on to know more.

US Colleges Record Fewer International Applicants

According to a report by the Common App, a popular college application platform in the US, international student applications have dropped by 9%. Notably, Indian applicants saw a 14% decline, leading this trend. According to NDTV, this may indicate that policies introduced during Trump’s tenure since January this year are affecting enrollments.

It is to be noted that India is the top source of international students for US colleges, followed by China. This year marks the first decline in Indian applications since 2020, dropping by 14%, while China saw only a 1% dip. Overall, applications from Africa and Asia fell by 18% and 9%, respectively.

NDTV reported that applications from the top 10 countries sending students to US colleges have mostly declined, with the exceptions of Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

Also Read: Why Are 2500 Flights In USA Cancelled Amid Thanksgiving Season? 10 Affected US Airports

What Caused This Decline?

Reports suggest that while international applications had been up earlier around this time last year, they dipped slightly in March 2025. The final months of the application cycle saw stricter federal rules on student visas and increased pressure on universities to reduce reliance on foreign students, who usually pay full tuition.

This decline can be linked to the Trump administration’s actions, including revoking thousands of visas, limiting visa interviews, and tightening application requirements, NDTV reported. Some universities with large international student populations were also investigated for visa compliance, antisemitism, and admission practices this year, further adding uncertainty in the minds of students.

Also Read: World’s Tallest Murugan Statue At 155-Ft May Be Built In USA; It Will Stand Taller Than Statue Of Liberty

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/SDI Production (representative image)