By Julia Funaki, Director, International, ̽»¨Â¥
The dropped last week, and honestly, it captures exactly what many in the field have been sensing—international education is in a moment of fundamental uncertainty, but institutions aren't backing down from their commitment.
For those unfamiliar, IIE's snapshot surveys provide timely updates on international education trends, complementing their comprehensive Open Doors report. This spring's survey captured responses from 559 higher education institutions that host 53% of international students in the United States.
The data reveals patterns that resonate with anyone working closely with higher education institutions on international initiatives.
Institutions Still Prioritize International Students
The encouraging news first: nearly 9 out of 10 institutions still consider international student recruitment a priority, with about a third ranking it as a high priority. The reasons are familiar as institutions:
Value the perspectives international students bring (88%).
See recruitment as part of their institutional strategy (62%).
Recognize the financial contributions (61%).
What's striking about these numbers is their consistency despite everything the sector has been dealing with—visa delays, political uncertainties, global competition. The fundamental understanding of why international education matters hasn't wavered.
Applications Tell a Mixed Story
Here's where things get complicated. For 2025-2026, international student applications show a three-way tie, which suggests a fragmented landscape rather than a clear trend.
Increased at 32% of institutions.
Stayed the same at 32% of institutions.
Decreased at 35% of institutions.
Graduate applications face particular pressure:
The enrollment projections are even more concerning:
These aren't small shifts. They're the kind of numbers that reshape fall planning and budget discussions across higher education.
Visa Challenges Persist, Political Climate Adds New Concerns
Visa application barriers remain the top concern, cited by 87% of institutions anticipating enrollment declines—a familiar challenge for anyone who's worked in international education. But what's different is the broader anxiety about the U.S. political climate.
The Spring 2025 Snapshot found that 77% of institutions noted increased questions from current and prospective students about the political environment.
That's not just a policy issue—it's a perception challenge affecting how families worldwide view the United States as an education destination. Additional concerns include potential port-of-entry difficulties (69%) and visa status uncertainties (68%).
Institutional Response Has Been Comprehensive
What gives hope is how institutions have responded.
But institutions went even further by:
Hosting listening sessions (41%).
Issuing public statements of support (36%).
Providing flexible enrollment options (29%).
Some also offered financial support to students who lost funding or work opportunities.
This level of support represents significant institutional investment and demonstrates that higher education is backing up its commitment to international students with resources.
Study Abroad Momentum Continues
While inbound mobility faces challenges, study abroad tells a different story.
The Spring 2025 Snapshot shows 86% of institutions expect study abroad to remain stable or increase in 2025/26, continuing post-pandemic recovery momentum.
What's particularly strategic is how institutions are linking study abroad to career development:
This connects global experiences to concrete professional outcomes.
Europe remains dominant (about 80% of institutions offer programs in Italy, the U.K., and Spain), while Asia shows strong growth, particularly Japan (78% of institutions) and South Korea (68%).
What This Means Moving Forward
The data reveals an international education sector being tested but not broken. Yes, there are real challenges—visa delays, political uncertainties, increased global competition. But there's also institutional resilience and creativity in supporting students and maintaining a global mission.
The mixed application trends suggest institutions need diversified recruitment strategies rather than reliance on traditional markets. The comprehensive support services may become competitive differentiators in attracting and retaining international students.
For those working with institutions on admissions, records, or international services, the message seems clear: prepare for continued volatility while supporting the systems that make U.S. higher education attractive to international students.
The visa and political climate concerns require proactive communication strategies and enhanced pre-arrival preparation. The robust study abroad momentum suggests opportunities to strengthen global engagement through outbound mobility, even as inbound faces headwinds.
The Bottom Line
The Spring 2025 Snapshot reveals remarkable institutional resilience. While challenges are real and significant, the sustained commitment to international education—through continued prioritization, comprehensive support services, and strategic adaptation—shows U.S. higher education remains committed to its global mission despite uncertainty.
The numbers represent thousands of individual students and families making complex decisions about their futures. The role of all of us is to ensure that when they choose U.S. higher education, institutions are ready to support them completely.