Over 50% US colleges see fewer foreign applicants amid visa fears, 73% face losses
More than 50 percent of US colleges and universities have reported a decline in international student applications for the 2026 academic year, adding fresh uncertainty for students planning to study in America.
Visa processing delays, visa denials and tighter immigration policies are among the concerns affecting international recruitment, with applicants from India and China particularly facing uncertainty.
The findings come as the American Council on Education (ACE) survey shows that international student enrolment has become a growing financial concern for US institutions.
ACEβs 2026 Fall Term Pulse Point Survey, conducted among 328 senior higher education leaders in July, found that nearly two-thirds of respondents were extremely or moderately concerned about immigration restrictions and visa revocations.
The survey found that 63 percent of senior leaders were either extremely or moderately concerned about immigration restrictions and visa revocations.
The issue was also among the challenges institutions felt least prepared to handle. Thirty-six percent of respondents identified immigration restrictions and visa revocations as an area where their campuses were least prepared to navigate the situation.
For universities that depend on international enrolment, the issue is not limited to admissions.
Among presidents at institutions that enrol international students, 73 percent reported a decrease in revenue because of declining international student enrolment, according to the ACE survey.
The financial effects are already showing up across campuses.
Around 23 percent of presidents said declining international enrolment had resulted in budget reductions in research or student support. Another 9 percent reported programme closures or mergers, while 11 percent said the availability of institutional financial aid had fallen.
International enrolment is also part of a wider financial problem. Long-term financial viability was the top institutional concern in the ACE survey, selected by 49 percent of senior leaders.WHAT IT MEANS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS
For Indian students, the changing US admissions environment means that getting an offer from a university is only one part of the process.
Visa timelines, immigration rules and university policies can affect when students can begin their courses and how institutions plan their international intake.
The ACE findings show that US universities themselves are closely watching these developments as the new academic year begins.- EndsPublished By: Princy ShuklaPublished On: Sep 19, 2026 15:34 ISTRead | New Zealand opens new work route for graduates: What Indian students must knowRead | 51% Indian students choose Germany as US, UK, Canada lose ground in study-abroad race
