Declining International Student Enrollment at U.S. Universities and Its Potential Impact
The number of international students enrolled at U.S. universities declined by approximately 4 percent between 2016 and 2017, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of Homeland Security data. More than half of the decline in enrollment can be attributed to fewer individuals from India studying computer science and engineering at the graduate level in 2017. The number of international students from India enrolled in graduate level programs in computer science and engineering declined by 21 percent, or 18,590 fewer graduate students, from 2016 to 2017. Indian graduate students completing degrees in science and engineering at U.S. universities are a major source of talent for U.S. companies.
In the overall data, the number of international students enrolled at the graduate level in science and engineering fell by 14,730, or 6 percent, between 2016 and 2017, which represented about half of the overall drop in international students. If the trend continues, it could have a profound negative impact on U.S. students and U.S. universities, as well as American companies and the U.S. economy. U.S. government policy, such as the Trump administration’s announced plans to restrict the ability of international students to work after graduation, could accelerate any negative trends.
National Foundation for American Policy. (2018). Declining International Student Enrollment at U.S. Universities and Its Potential Impact. Retrieved from https://nfap.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Decline-in-International-Student-Enrollment.NFAP-Policy-Brief.February-2018-2.pdf