WASHINGTON, USA | August 21, 2026
International Applications See Sharp Decline
The number of international students applying to US colleges for the 2026 admission cycle has fallen by about 10%, marking the biggest decline in at least a decade, according to newly released data from the Common Application (Common App).
The figures show that nearly 16,000 fewer international students applied to US colleges this year compared with 2025. The data was released on August 20 and reported by major news outlets on August 21.
Stricter Visa Policies Add to Concerns
The decline comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump has introduced tighter policies affecting international students and visa holders.
Changes to student-visa rules and broader restrictions on overseas students have created additional uncertainty for applicants considering studying in the United States. The Common App data suggests these policy changes may be contributing to the fall in applications.
Rodney Hughes, Common App’s senior data scientist, said the decline was the largest recorded since the organisation began collecting digital application data in 2013.
Applications From Asia and Africa Drop
The decline was particularly visible among applicants from Asia and Africa, where applications recorded double-digit decreases.
European applications also declined, falling by 4%, reversing a period of steady growth. Countries including France and Germany have increased efforts to attract international students who may now be reconsidering the United States as a study destination.
US Domestic Applications Move in the Opposite Direction
While international applications fell, applications from students within the United States increased.
Common App data showed that domestic college applications rose by 4%, with a particularly strong increase from the southwestern United States.
Overall, more than 1.5 million students applied to US colleges in 2026, representing a 2% increase from the previous application cycle.
Universities Face Potential Financial Pressure
The decline in international applicants could have significant implications for American universities.
International students are an important source of tuition revenue for many institutions, and a sustained decline in enrolment could add to financial pressures already facing colleges because of demographic changes and growing questions over the value of higher education.
The impact is unlikely to be identical across all universities. Data suggests that highly selective institutions may have more protection from the decline because of their stronger global demand, while institutions with less international recognition could face greater pressure.
SAT and ACT Trend Also Changes
The Common App report highlighted another notable shift in the 2026 admissions cycle: more students submitted SAT or ACT scores.
Only about 5% of colleges currently require applicants to submit standardised test scores, compared with 4% in 2025 and 55% in 2019. However, the number of students reporting test scores increased, indicating a partial reversal of the test-optional trend.
What It Means for Indian Students
The decline is particularly relevant for students from India and other Asian countries, given the historically strong demand for US higher education among Asian applicants.
Students considering American universities now face a more complicated environment involving visa uncertainty, changing admission policies and increased competition for international enrolment opportunities.
However, the available data does not establish a specific 2026 percentage decline for Indian applicants alone. The reported 10% figure applies to international applicants overall.
US Higher Education at a Turning Point
The latest Common App figures provide one of the clearest indications yet that US universities are facing a changing international recruitment environment.
With international applications falling sharply while domestic applications continue to rise, American colleges may need to reassess how they attract students from overseas.
For prospective international students, meanwhile, the coming admission cycle could become an important test of how US visa policies and the country’s changing higher-education environment affect America’s position as a leading global study destination.
Source: Common App data, Reuters/Bloomberg reporting, NDTV, The Straits Times.
Original Report: Supreme News Network (SSN)
