Columbia and Princeton See Steady International Enrollments Amid Broad U.S. Trends

(COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY) International student enrollments at Columbia University are holding firm, with the school reporting 13,745 international students from 145 countries in Fall 2024 and a combined total of 16,926 international students and scholars on campus. In a year when the United States 🇺🇸 counted about 1.1 million international students nationwide—roughly 6% of all higher education enrollments—Columbia’s steady numbers stand out, even as some students face travel hurdles from countries including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Princeton University, which maintains rigorous admissions standards similar to Columbia, is also viewed as stable, though the latest 2025 counts were not publicly available at time of publication.

Admissions selectivity and demand

Columbia’s selectivity remained intense. For the class of 2029, the university received over 59,600 applications and admitted 2,557 students, an acceptance rate of 4.28%. International students continue to make up a notable share of the student body, reinforcing the campus’s global profile and the demand among applicants seeking top research opportunities in New York City.

The leading places of origin at Columbia track broader national patterns, with China and India supplying the largest cohorts. According to university data, top origins include:

• China: 6,463 students
• India: 1,241
• Canada 🇨🇦: 578
• South Korea: 545
• Indonesia: 302
• France: 284
• Taiwan: 259
• United Kingdom: 257
• Brazil: 192
• Japan: 189

Advisers on campus say these students are spread across engineering, the arts, public health, business, and core science labs — a mix that mirrors hiring needs in the U.S. economy.

Admissions and campus support

To keep international student enrollments strong, Columbia leans on a well-resourced International Students and Scholars Office that helps with visas, travel, and work authorization.

• Staff guide students through school-issued documents like the Form I-20 (for F-1 students) and the Form DS-2019 (for J-1 exchange visitors).
• They assist with the visa interview process and arrival reporting.

Official guidance:
– Students can review the Form I‑20 overview.
– Details on the Form DS‑2019 come from the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program.

Work options remain a draw. The federal Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows most F-1 students to work in their field for up to 12 months, supported about 242,700 students recently, with extended time for STEM graduates. USCIS explains eligibility, timelines, and filing through its official guide to Optional Practical Training (OPT), including when to submit Form I-765 for employment authorization.

Financial aid and access

Columbia pairs its admissions reach with aid that helps many applicants attend.

• In the 2023–2024 academic year, the university awarded more than $225 million in need-based grants.
• International students are eligible for institutional aid, and financial packages often blend grants with campus work, depending on visa rules and academic program.

For some families, that level of support is the difference between attending a global research university and choosing lower-cost options at home.

Princeton University remains an important point of comparison. While Princeton hadn’t posted updated 2025 international counts, administrators and advisers describe a consistent flow of students from China, India, Europe, and Latin America, driven by research strength and generous aid. Applicants eyeing both campuses weigh similar questions: program fit, cost, visa timing, and the promise of internships and post-completion work under OPT or, for J-1 students, Academic Training.

Policy climate and practical steps

Policy shifts still shape how quickly students arrive. Consular backlogs vary by country, and security screening can extend timelines for some fields.

University advisers therefore encourage early action and clear sequencing:

1. Secure admission.
2. Obtain the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
3. Pay the SEVIS fee.
4. Book the visa appointment.
5. Plan travel with enough buffer for delays.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, elite campuses have avoided major dips in international student enrollments by investing in:

• Pre-departure webinars
• Document checks
• Coordinated arrival support

Students facing sanctions or travel restrictions need tailored plans. Some applicants from the listed countries route documents through third-country consulates; others sequence language study, research assistant roles, or online coursework while awaiting a visa slot. Columbia advisers caution against risky travel on tight timelines and stress status maintenance once in the U.S., including:

• Full-time study
• Address reporting
• Seeking authorization before any off-campus work

For parents, cost and safety remain central. Families comparing Columbia and Princeton cite:

• Small class sizes
• Advising quality
• Internship pipelines

Advisers note practical employment rules:

• Most F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during terms, with more flexibility during breaks.
• Any off-campus role requires proper authorization via OPT or Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Practical planning checklist for prospective students

• Start early on documents: Confirm your SEVIS record, review the Form I‑20 overview or Form DS‑2019 guidance, and schedule the visa interview as soon as your local post opens appointments.
• Track funding: Compare total cost of attendance, ask about aid, and factor in currency swings and health insurance.
• Plan for work authorization: Map course loads and internship cycles to OPT or Academic Training windows, and learn Form I-765 timing rules well ahead of graduation.

Outlook for the next cycle

Looking ahead to 2025–2026, advisers expect Columbia and other Ivy campuses to hold or modestly grow their international student enrollments, supported by:

• Stable demand from Asia
• Continued interest from Europe and Latin America
• Expanded pre-arrival advising and additional staff for document review
• Partnerships with alumni running welcome sessions abroad

Analysts also watch proposed federal changes affecting visa eligibility and work options; any shift in STEM policy, cap-gap extensions, or fee levels would ripple across application choices in the coming year.

For now, the headline is simple: Columbia University’s international numbers are steady and strong, mirroring national resilience in student mobility to the United States. Princeton University appears steady as well, even as observers await the university’s latest detailed counts. Families should align admissions, visa steps, and funding early for a smooth, on-time arrival.