New data released on Nov 17 shows Chinese student enrollment in the US dropped 4% in the 2024-25 academic year while India’s grew by 9%, driven by stricter visa policies and geopolitical tensions under the Trump administration.
| According to the latest Open Doors Report released by the Institute of International Education (IIE) on November 17, the number of Chinese students studying in the United States will decline by 4% year-on-year in the 2024-25 academic year, while the number of Indian students will increase by 9%, further widening the gap between the two countries in terms of international student sources. Despite the decline in numbers, Chinese students remain a significant contributor to the US economy, contributing $14.6 billion annually.
The report points out that geopolitical tensions and tightening visa policies are the core reasons for this trend. The new visa policies implemented by the Trump administration have led to a 17% plunge in the overall enrollment of international freshmen at US universities, the largest drop since 1948. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly stated in May that the State Department would “actively revoke” visas for Chinese students related to certain sensitive fields and strengthen scrutiny of applicants from mainland China and Hong Kong. This hardline stance has significantly dampened the willingness of Chinese families to send their children abroad for education. The data also reveals a significant difference in subject distribution: approximately 71.7% of Indian students study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors, compared to 51.9% of Chinese students. Educators warn that if the loss of highly skilled talent continues, the United States’ STEM competitiveness will suffer long-term damage, and university finances will face severe challenges. |