US institutions bracing for a challenging enrolment outlook for 2025/26

By Abhinav Jain, Founder & Director, Gateway International | IIT Delhi Alumni | 17+ Years Experience | 50,000+ Students Placed
Published: January 3, 2025 | 12 min read | ✓ Verified Expert

Introduction

So the pattern of foreign students entering American schools is changing rapidly as we approach the 2025-26 academic year. Indian students have been lured to the United States of America by its reputation for providing a world-class education, vibrant campus life, and unmatched opportunities for a career. And in truth. The outlook for American universities is more complex than ever, with the numbers of their students, the visa policies, and the global tendencies.

Now international educators, policy-makers and students are watching the United States as it maneuvers what many are calling the enrollment cliff. Data from the Institute of International Education and other organizations show that enrollments have reached a new peak, but also some emerging risks. The enrollment cycle for 2025-26 will probably bring new challenges. Especially for those wishing to study in the USA from India and other major source countries.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain the latest trends, changes in policy and practical advice for Indian students. Whether you’re a parent in Bombay, a student in Bengaluru or an education consultant in New Delhi, you’ll find real-life examples, expert tips, and actionable insights culled from the experience of Gateway’s 17 years and 50,000 placements. For the sake of brevity. We’ll limit ourselves to the following remarks, but before we proceed let’s analyze what’s to happen with international.

Choose the Best University

Explore top-ranking universities and benefit from our expert guidance to make the right choice.

Get Started →

US International Student Enrolment Trends for 2025/26

The figures are full of promise and of uncertainty. In 2025, according to the latest reports, international enrollments in the United States will have fallen by approximately 15 percent, and there are some colleges preparing for a 30- to 40-percent decrease in the number of matriculants. In a sharp reversal of the recovery following the pandemic, international enrollments had risen in 2023.

Well, what’s driving this change? Wait, here’s a thought: but, no, a combination of factors:

• Unprecedented delays in processing student visas, especially – hmm, how do I put this – for Chinese and Indian applicants.
• Rising migration tensions and the new ban on the entrance of students from 19 countries will.
• With increased administrative scrutiny and longer waiting times for visa appointments,
• Economic and demographic changes, especially the so-called enrolment cliff – a decrease in the number of American high school graduates – and.
• He was also influenced by a number of recent policy changes which have made the United States less open to the world.

But, you see, the impact isn’t uniform. While the downturn is hitting some U. S. Institutions hard, others-especially those with strong international recruitment and support-are faring better. For Indian students the prospects are good, but the competition and the paperwork are tougher than ever.

Clearly, the stakes are high for the US higher education sector and for the international students in the United States. In the next section, we’ll analyse the latest IIE data and what it means for Indian students.

Smooth Admission Process

Let our experts help streamline your admission with personalized scholarship assistance.

Apply Now →

IIE Open Doors 2024: What the Data Reveals

The IIE Open Doors 2024 report is a pretty big deal for anyone who’s interested in international student recruitment to the US. The headlines?’. In 2024, the United States had 1.1 million foreign students, a seven per cent increase over the previous year. Indian students have surpassed Chinese students in numbers. They now number more than 331,000.

But a but. While graduate and STEM enrollments are on the rise, undergraduate numbers have dropped slightly, and the rate of growth has moderated. This report also says:

• THE ESTIMATED ESTIMATES OF STUDENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) International students: 56% in science and engineering;
• The economic contribution is over fifty billion dollars a year and supports the local.
• States like California, New York, and Texas still constitute the preferred destinations for tourists.
• The US universities have made greater investment in recruiting, alumni relations and support services.
• Emerging source countries: Bangladesh, Ghana, Colombia, and Nepal.

For Indian students, the IIE data is a green flag. The demand is strong and US universities are actively recruiting Indian talent. The report also warns of “slowing growth and uncertainty” due to the visa bottleneck, policy changes and competition. If you’re planning to study in the United States of America, now is the time to get your documents and your strategy in order.

Rishita Dodiya

“Exceptional Support for Study Abroad! My name is Rishita Dodiya and I have got admission in Nottingham Trent University. And also I have got a scholarship of 25% on my overall tuition fees. From the first consultation to securing my student visa, Gateway International provided personalized and transparent guidance. Their team especially Richa Ma’am, Arpita ma’am, Deepti ma’am and Nilu ma’am helped me shortlist universities, apply for scholarships, and navigate the visa process smoothly. My visa was approved within a week after the appointment, thanks to their meticulous documentation support. I confirm that Gateway International did not charge any fees for their assistance.”

Discover Your Perfect Course

Find courses that ignite your passion and match your career aspirations.

Explore Courses →

Visa Policy Changes and Their Impact

It’s at this point in time that things get serious for international student enrollment in the United States There are many ways in which the United States has tightened up its visa.

• Almost all F-visa and J-visa applications to be heard in person. No more “Drop Box” for most students.
• There’s to be greater scrutiny of the applications of citizens of certain countries, especially.
• New Travel Bans for Students from 19 Countries, with a possible expansion.
• Longer waiting times and greater documentation – hmm, how do I put this – needed for renewals and new applications.
• A New Restrictions on Post-Graduate Work and University Enrolment for Foreigners.

You need to be very well prepared for this. You need a good academic record, clear financial documents, and you should be prepared for a detailed interview. Good news? Good news? The U. S. Authorities are increasing transparency and security measures. So well-prepared applicants still have a good chance of success.

If you’re worried about funds or paperwork, check out the links.Gateway EduConnectEducation loan, study and financial aid solutions tailored for Indian students.

Study in the USA

Take the next step in your educational journey. Fill your application today!

Apply Today →

How US Institutions and International Educators Are Responding

How do U. S. Institutions and foreign educators cope with these enrollment challenges? A mixture of innovation, data-driven recruiting and support services.

THE MAIN STRATEGIES ARE:

• Using statistics to identify new student groups and optimize recruitment.
• Diversify recruitment, expanding beyond China and India, into new markets.
• Retention of students and support services (psychological, career guidance I mean, and cultural integration):
• Developing and expanding the virtual and hybrid programmes for those who can’t travel to.
• The campaign for more stable visa policy and increased student subsidies is in the.
• Meeting regional growth opportunities, especially in the South and the Middle West.

Those institutions that are best able to accustom themselves to change and are best suited to this environment are those with the best networks of alumni, the most flexible program. It means more opportunities for Indian students, but also more competition and the need for careful planning.

Akshit Virdi

“Hey, Hope you all are doing great, I am writing this review based on my application process. My name is Akshit Virdi, and I’m going to pursue Bachelor’s of engineering in Civil Engineering at University of Portsmouth. I’m extremely grateful to Gateway International and especially Prateek Panchal sir, he helped me a-lot and always support throughout my admissions and my application process. Prateek Panchal Sir built a trust as well that gateway international is not a fraud consultancy because I live in delhi and Gateway international is located in Udaipur, so it is hard to trust but there faculty is very genuine and supportive and I finally got my UK Visa with the help of:-1. Prateek Panchal – My Consultant, and whenever I call Prateek sir he picked my call even I call in late night so prateek sir is very genuine person and from the bottom of my heart, I really say Thankyou so much sir because you are a real person and I never forget you sir Thankyou once again.2. Neelam Jain – She is very kind and with the help of their perfect guidance, I cracked my CAS interview, without her I cannot cracked this interview, Thank you so much Neelam Ma’am I appreciate your efforts deeply and will always be grateful.3. Nikhilesh Soni – He helped me out in my CAS process and eVISA. Thank you Nikhilesh sir for my CAS process and appreciate your support.4. Deepti Singh Chittora – She helped me for my UKVI Visa process and Deepti Ma’am is so experienced and I got my Uk Visa in just 4 days so, thank you so much deepti mam. Overall, my experience with Gateway International is too good and they supported me at every step. Moreover, they didn’t charge me anything for my whole process, which made the entire process even more majestic. I highly recommend all my friends and colleagues to get their Visa from Gateway International. Best regardsAkshit Virdi”

Perfect Your SOP

Craft a compelling Statement of Purpose with our free SOP generator tool.

Create Your SOP →

Prospects for Indian Students: 2025/26 and Beyond

Let’s face it. The prospects for an Indian student in the United States, in spite of the challenges, is still the best in the world. Why? The universities of the United States are threatened by the enrolment cliff, a decline in domestic students, which begins in 2025. They need to find students abroad, especially from India, to fill their classes and maintain their financial stability.

The latest trends are:

• Indian student numbers are expected to rise by 15 to 20 percent by 2026, with enrollment possibly exceeding 1 million annually by 2030.
• The American universities are starting joint degree courses with Indian universities and prioritizing Indian students for visa processing.
• Major corporations like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta are recruiting students from the US colleges.
• The scholarships, scholarships and grants-in-aid offered to Indian students are a great boon to them.
• Indian visa approval rates for science, technology, engineering and mathematics students have stabilised after recent fluctuations.

The catch?’. You need to be active, organized and ready for competition. But with the right preparation and support from experts like Gateway International, it remains the number one destination for ambitious Indian students.

Rahul Jain

“Thank you Gateway International for your distinguished and outstanding service! I wanted to express my deepest gratitude towards prominent service and support I have received from Gateway International. I have received exceptional support throughout my entire journey of getting Visa. This roller coaster journey would not had been easier without my counselor Richa Ma’am. She guided and helped me through all the challenges, ups and downs during my entire journey of application process, documentation, bank formalities till visa process, she looked out on all the information and details closely so that there is no margin for error is left, So Special Thanks to you Richa ma’am for your immense support! I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Arpita ma’am. Your correct and accurate guidance helped me through my CAS process flawlessly. Thank you again for your remarkable support in getting my CAS and related process. Thank you Sonali Ma’am for helping me in my accommodation process. Finally I would like to say thanks to Deepti ma’am for getting my VISA process done way too smoothly. Thank you for guiding and supporting me through entire VISA process. Thank You Gateway International Team & Staff! It is truly astonishing to know that all the Hard work and Effort you put behind every student for achieving their dream and this entire process is free of charge with no hidden charges as well that really gives student a breath of relief and sense of happiness.”

Cost, Scholarships, and Funding for Indian Students

Let’s talk numbers. The cost of studying in the United States can be intimidating. But there are more options than ever for Indian students to obtain funding in 2025-6. Here’s the information you need:

• Tuition at top rate. <
  >US institutionsFrom $20,000 to $60,000 (INR 16-48L).
• Usually $12,000-$18,000 a year (ten to fifteen million) a year.
• At all the levels of study there are scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers.
• Major scholarships for Indian students are the Fulbright-Nehru, Tata, Inlaks and university-based awards.
• Off-campus jobs and internships can help offset living costs.
• Education loans from Indian banks and financial institutions are used frequently. Before taking out loans, check the interest rates and repayment.

Pro tip: Start your scholarship and loan search early. Many deadlines are closed by December for the following academic year. Use Gateway International’s free Statement of Purpose and scholarship matching tools to improve your chances.

Top US Institutions and Rankings for International Students

Choosing a university in the United States, rankings are important, but so are the match, the support and the results. Actually, you know what? Here’s a quick look at some of the best universities for international students in 2025-26, based on QS, THE, and IIE data:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Stanford University
• Harvard University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• University of Chicago
• Columbia University
• Princeton University
• Yale University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Cornell University

Don’t forget the excellent public universities such as the University of California system, the University in Michigan, and the university of Texas. They’re strong on value, have a large international community and offer a very good value for money.

Application & Admission Process for 2025/26 Enrolment

Applying for the American university in the year 2025-26 is a multi-step process that requires planning, precision, and persistence. Here’s an overview, step.

• Universities and courses shortlisted by you in accordance with your profile, budget and career goals.
• Preparation for and sitting of required examinations: SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo; the.
• Gather your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a strong statement of purpose (SOP) and assemble it.
• Actually, submit your applications via the university portals or the Common App (for undergraduates).
• Scholarship and financial aid applications must be submitted simultaneously.
• Attend interviews (if necessary), respond to the university’s inquiries promptly, and send it a.
• Once admitted, pay the deposit, receive the I-20 and begin the visa application process.
• Book the visa interview, prepare the documents and go to the interview.
• You’ve to book your flight, arrange your accommodation and attend.

Start early. Most universities require applications between November and January for the following academic year. Use Gateway International’s free SOP builder and counseling service for a seamless application process.

Standardized Tests and English Proficiency Requirements

For the admission of foreign students to you know, American universities, the standardized tests remain the most important part of the application process. What should I know as an Indian student in 2025-26?

• SAT / ACT: Required for most undergraduate programs (although the number of test-optional policies is.
• GRE/GMAT Required for most graduate programs (with a few exceptions for exceptional profiles).
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo: required for non-native English speakers; minimum scores depend – well, actually, on the university.
• Subject-Specific Tests (MCAT, LSAT, SAT Subject Tests, etc.) for specialized programs, etc.

Many universities in the United States now accept the Duolingo English Test as a substitute for TOEFL and IELTS, especially after the pandemic. Always check the most recent regulations on the university’s web site and be sure to.

The best advice is to take the exam 6 to 8 months before the deadline for submission of applications to ensure timely arrival of the.

Student Support, Campus Life, and Cultural Adaptation

Well, to tell the truth, as an international student in the United States, one has to take a little In addition, many institutions offer various kinds of support services to help you succeed in your adaptation.

• International student office for visas, orientation and legal advice.
• Academic advising, tutoring, and writing centers, all on-site,
• Mental Health Counselling and Health Promotion.
• The career services, the job fairs, the internships, the.
• Clubs of Students, Associations of the Indian Students, and Associations of.
• On-campus housing, meal plans, and safety resources.

Adapting to a new culture can be difficult, but American colleges are diverse and welcoming. Speaking of which, the university celebrates the Indian festival of Diwali and Holi. There’s a strong Indian community in the major cities.

Post-Study Work, OPT, and Career Prospects

One of the main attractions for international students studying in the United States is the opportunity for employment after graduation and career advancement. What the Indian students will have to know by 2025/26:

• OPT (Optional Practical Training): up to 12 months for most graduates.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Allows internships during studies.
• H-1B visas are a pathway to long-term employment in the US, but the process is a very competitive one.
• Major employers recruit directly on US college campuses, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,
• The alumnae networks and job fairs provide strong support in the job market.

The job market for skilled workers is still strong, especially in technology, engineering, finance, and health care. Come to think of it, but you’ve to be active and start building your network – well, actually, and resume right away.

Conclusion

To be honest, the prospects for international student enrollments in the United States in 2025-26 are both challenging and promising. The American schools are being affected by both the changing demography and the policy environment. However, they’re still in great demand With careful planning, strong documentation and a little support, the dream of studying in the United States is certainly attainable.

Gateway International has the expertise and experience of seventeen years in guiding 50,000 students to the right choice of career. Gateway’s proven track record in counselling over 50,000 students shows that with the right guidance, you can make it through even the Stay vigilant, stay informed, and remember: The United States continues to offer world-class education, global connections, and life-changing experiences to those who are ready to seize them.