(U.S.) — U.S. colleges received fewer undergraduate applications from Indian students in the current admissions season, with Common App data showing a 14% drop through the November 1, 2025 deadline. That decline coincided with a 9% overall decrease in international applications.
The drop marked the first decline from India since 2020, cutting into a pipeline that has long supplied U.S. campuses with large numbers of Indian applicants.
National and regional application trends
- Common App country-level data:
- India: 14% decline in undergraduate applications (through Nov. 1, 2025).
- Africa: 18% decline.
- Asia: 9% decline.
- China: 1% dip.
These application pullbacks come as colleges monitor new international enrollment for 2025–26 amid visa and cost pressures.
Enrollment versus applications: Open Doors data
Open Doors enrollment data still shows India’s large overall presence in the U.S. student population.
- 2024–25 academic year:
- Indian students in U.S. (undergraduate, graduate, OPT): 363,019 — up 10% from 331,602 the prior year.
- India represented 30.8% of 1,177,766 international students in the U.S. in 2024–25.
Despite the overall numbers, many colleges reported weakening momentum in new arrivals and new enrollment for fall 2025.
Fall 2025 snapshot: institutional reports
A fall snapshot compiled from 825+ institutions found:
- 57% of U.S. colleges reported decreased new international enrollments for 2025–26.
- India remained the top sending country, but most institutions reported declines from India.
- China and South Korea showed stable or growing new enrollment at many institutions.
Arrivals data highlighted the effect of visa and processing issues:
- Indian student arrivals dropped 44% from August 2024 to August 2025 — the largest single-country decline reported — attributed to visa delays.
Impact on specific programs and institutions
- Business schools are particularly exposed because Indian applicants often outnumber Chinese applicants by 3-to-1 at programs such as NYU Stern and Duke Fuqua.
- Examples of sharp institutional declines in new international students:
- University of Central Missouri: -50%
- Ohio State: -38%
- Indiana University: -30%
- DePaul: -62%
A projection cited suggested up to 150,000 fewer students could cost the U.S. $7 billion and 60,000 jobs.
Visa processing and interview availability
Visa issues are central to the enrollment shifts for Indian applicants pursuing F-1 student visas. Reported concerns include:
- Prolonged processing times
- Increased administrative scrutiny
- Evolving interview requirements
- Limited interview appointment availability in India
Reported visa issuance and suspension details:
- F-1 visas to Indians: -33.2% in FY2024 vs. FY2023
- Issuance declines of 12% (Jan–Apr 2025) and 22% (May 2025)
- A possible 80–90% June drop after a May 27–June 18 interview suspension and new social media vetting
These pressures affect students’ and families’ willingness to commit deposits and make plans well ahead of term start dates.
Post-study work, immigration, and policy uncertainty
Post-study work and long-term immigration prospects strongly influence decisions:
- Common progression considered by students: degree → OPT → H-1B → permanent residency (PR)
- Anxiety exists around future H-1B and employment-based green card pathways
- A proposed $100,000 H-1B fee was cited as a potential deterrent to post-study appeal
- References to Trump-era restrictions, bans on 19 countries, and rumors of 36 more were noted as contributors to uncertainty
Cost and global competition
Rising costs have made alternative destinations more competitive. U.S. cost considerations include:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Health insurance
- Living expenses
Countries cited as attractive alternatives due to lower cost or clearer post-study work/immigration pathways:
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Australia
European and Canadian programs were described as offering post-graduation work permits and potential pathways to permanent residency.
Institutional responses and recruitment strategies
Colleges are adjusting to policy and administrative change impacts by:
- Altering recruitment plans and offering deferrals:
- 72% of colleges offered spring 2026 deferrals
- 56% offered fall 2026 deferrals
- Shifting recruitment toward the next cycle:
- 84% prioritize 2026–27 recruitment
- 78% report steady or higher funding for those efforts
Recruitment tactics include:
- 50% focus on U.S. high schools
- 32% building graduate pathways from undergraduates
- 71% credit active recruitment for enrollment gains
Colleges also reported policy and admin changes shaping patterns:
- Increased social media screening
- Changes in test score policies
- Reported 11% rise in test score submissions as colleges reinstate requirements
- Institutional examples, e.g., a July 2025 Columbia deal aimed to cut international reliance
Field preferences and institutional types preferred by Indian undergraduates
- 57% of international students are in STEM fields.
- Indian students’ preferences often favor STEM and business disciplines, with pragmatic, career-oriented choices.
- A trend toward high-volume public universities rather than prestige-only choices:
- Growth noted at public institutions such as ASU, Purdue, Penn State, UIUC, UMass Amherst, and Texas A&M–Kingsville
- Examples of high-volume options include ASU, Fresno, and UNT
Level-specific shifts and OPT growth
- New undergraduates: +5% overall in 2024–25
- New graduates: -15%
- OPT (Optional Practical Training) grew 21.2% to 294,253 in 2024–25, contributing to overall Indian enrollment growth despite undergraduate application declines
Practical advice and planning considerations (as described in the material)
Key planning recommendations for prospective Indian applicants:
- Start the F-1 process early:
- Gather documentation
- Prepare financial proof
- Schedule interviews in advance to account for delays
- Evaluate OPT as a bridge to employment, and understand:
- OPT durations (especially for STEM)
- Employer sponsorship dynamics for transitions to H-1B or green card pathways
- Treat financial preparation as strategic planning:
- Early searches for scholarships
- Explore financial aid options
- Understand tax implications for international students and OPT income
Key takeaway
Common App data shows a measurable pullback in Indian undergraduate applications through Nov. 1, 2025, while Open Doors enrollment totals demonstrate the overall Indian student population in the U.S. remains large. However, new student flows and arrivals are showing strain due to visa, cost, and policy pressures, creating a more complex decision-making environment for Indian students and U.S. colleges alike.
U.S. colleges face a 14% drop in undergraduate applications from India due to visa hurdles, high costs, and policy uncertainty. While India still provides 30.8% of international students, new enrollment is cooling. Institutions are now pivotally focusing on 2026 recruitment strategies and offering more deferrals to counter competition from countries like Canada and the UK, which offer clearer pathways to permanent residency.
