Fall Enrollment Increased 1%, International Students Declined

"Last year marked another 12 months of steady growth in U.S. higher education enrollment, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center's final report on fall enrollment, released today. Enrollment grew 1 percent from fall 2024, to 19.4 million students, and community colleges saw the largest increase, at 3 percent. Building on insights from the organization's preliminary fall data, which revealed increases in students seeking undergraduate certificates and a drop in computer science majors,"

"NSCRC found that international enrollment decreased by about 5,000 students this fall, mirroring the findings of other sources, such as the Institute for International Education's survey from November. The decline comes after years of growth in international student enrollment. However, that dip was exclusively caused by a nearly 6 percent decrease-about 10,000 students-in international graduate enrollment; at the undergraduate level, international enrollment actually rose 3.2 percent."

Enrollment grew 1 percent from fall 2024 to 19.4 million students, with community colleges posting the largest increase at 3 percent. Preliminary fall data showed more students seeking undergraduate certificates and a decline in computer science majors. International enrollment fell by about 5,000 students overall, driven entirely by a nearly 6 percent drop—roughly 10,000 students—in international graduate enrollment, while undergraduate international enrollment rose 3.2 percent. Visa appointment pauses and policy proposals affecting Optional Practical Training likely contributed to graduate declines. Additional shifts occurred across private institution attendance and dual enrollment patterns.

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