Archive · 21 Aug 2026
International Applications to US Colleges Fall Amid Trump Visa Crackdown
Fewer students from other countries applied to US colleges this year.
The number fell by about 10%, meaning nearly 16,000 fewer international applicants than in 2025.
Common App said this was its biggest decline since it began collecting digital data in 2013.
Applications from Asia and Africa fell by double digits, while applications from Europe fell by 4%.
The decline happened as the Trump administration changed student-visa rules and worked to limit overseas student entry.
Students may be less likely to apply if they think obtaining a visa or staying in the US will be harder.
Applications from students in the US increased by 4%.
Applications to highly selective colleges fell only slightly, while those to less selective colleges fell much more sharply.
International applications to US colleges fell about 10%, or nearly 16,000 applicants, from 2025.
Common App called the decline its largest since digital data collection began in 2013.
Applications from Asia and Africa fell by double digits, while European applications declined 4%.
US applications rose 4%, including a 9% increase from the Southwest and South.
Highly selective universities saw about a 1% decline, compared with roughly 20% at less selective institutions.
- Who
- International students, US college applicants, American colleges, Common App, and the Trump administration.
- What
- International applications to US colleges fell about 10%, while domestic applications and standardized-test reporting increased.
- When
- For the upcoming fall term; the figures compare this application cycle with 2025 and were released Thursday.
- Where
- Colleges and universities in the United States, with regional changes reported for Asia, Africa, and Europe.
- Why
- The decline coincided with changes to student-visa rules and intensified efforts by the Trump administration to restrict overseas student entry; the articles do not establish a single definitive cause.
Critics and Concerned Universities
Trump Administration Policy Position
International enrollment
Critics and Concerned Universities
Visa restrictions and changes affecting majors, transfers, and post-graduation stays may discourage international students from applying and could deepen financial pressure on US colleges.
Trump Administration Policy Position
The administration has pursued tighter student-visa rules and limits on overseas student entry as part of its immigration and higher-education policies.
Standardized testing
Critics and Concerned Universities
The return of SAT and ACT requirements has renewed concerns about the role of testing, particularly because test-optional policies had benefited poorer and nonwhite applicants according to the report.
Trump Administration Policy Position
The administration criticizes test-optional admissions, arguing they can serve as proxies for illegal affirmative action; several universities have restored testing requirements.
Extent of the policy shift
Critics and Concerned Universities
Only a small minority of colleges require standardized-test scores, so testing mandates remain far from universal.
Trump Administration Policy Position
The share of colleges requiring SAT or ACT scores rose from 4% last year to 5%, while prominent universities including Yale, Columbia, and Princeton returned to testing requirements.
- International applications
- Down about 10%, representing nearly 16,000 fewer applicants than in 2025.
- Common App coverage
- The report surveyed 1,146 schools, 4% more than during the 2024-2025 school year.
- Record decline
- Common App said the drop was its largest since digital data collection began in 2013.
- Regional trends
- Applications from Asia and Africa fell by double digits; applications from Europe declined 4%.
- Domestic applications
- US applications increased 4%, with applicants from the South and Southwest rising 9%.
- Selectivity gap
- International applications fell about 1% at schools accepting fewer than one-quarter of applicants and roughly 20% at schools accepting more than half.
- Testing trends
- Applicants submitting SAT or ACT scores increased 11%, while applicants not reporting scores fell 5%; 5% of colleges required scores.
- Total applicants
- More than 1.5 million students applied to US campuses, up 2% from the previous cycle.
