International student enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities has dropped sharply this fall, marking the first full academic year under President Donald Trump’s second term. New data released Monday by the Institute of International Education shows that first-time international enrollment fell 17% in fall 2025 — the steepest drop outside the pandemic in more than a decade. International students support local economies by renting housing, buying goods and services, purchasing health insurance and attracting visiting family members. NAFSA’s analysis estimates that every three international students help create or sustain one American job, underscoring their broader economic value. MIT reported 3,475 international students, with undergraduate numbers holding steady and graduate enrollment rising slightly by 20 students.