Columbia reports early drop in international student applications amid visa scrutiny and changing views of US higher education

Columbia University is preparing for a possible decline in international enrollment next year after early admissions data showed fewer applications from overseas, Acting University President Claire Shipman told the University Senate on Oct.

24, according to the Columbia Daily Spectator. The shift comes as international students face tighter visa scrutiny and uncertainty surrounding U.S. research funding — developments that could affect both campus demographics and University finances.

Concerns over application trends

Shipman said the current admissions cycle has placed the University in a cautious position as it evaluates the next class, the Spectator reported. She noted that prospective students and their families abroad may now view studying in the United States as risky given recent events and policy changes.

Reliance on international enrollment

International students made up 39 percent of Columbia’s student body in 2024, based on University data cited by the Spectator. Their tuition revenue supports roughly 13 percent of Columbia’s operating budget, according to Politico and the University’s 2025 financial report.A University spokesperson did not comment when asked about the enrollment outlook, the Spectator reported.

Enforcement actions fuel unease

The Spectator reported that student concerns intensified after federal immigration actions this year.

In March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Palestinian students Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, and Mohsen Mahdawi, GS ’25, SIPA ’27, citing national security concerns linked to political activism. Both were later released without criminal charges.Secretary of State Marco Rubio also moved to revoke more than 300 student visas nationwide. According to an email cited by the Spectator from University Provost Angela Olinto, four Columbia students were among those initially affected before some visas were reinstated.

Policy shifts and travel restrictions

Visa appointments for F-1 and J-1 applicants were temporarily halted in late May as the Department of State expanded social media screening, with scheduling resuming in June, according to the Associated Press.A presidential executive order issued June 4 imposed partial or full entry bans on nationals from 19 countries, including students. A July analysis by NAFSA projected a 30 to 40 percent decrease in new international student enrollment across the United States this fall, potentially reducing overall enrollment by 15 percent and costing the U.S.

economy $7 billion.

Financial risk from research funding cuts

Shipman noted that most federal research grants from the previous year have now been restored, the Spectator reported, but said future funding remains uncertain. The Presidential Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal includes large cuts to the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, which together support a significant share of Columbia’s research programs.Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, told CNBC that these pressures have created “a perfect storm” for universities.

University support measures

Columbia has increased financial aid and contingency planning in response. The International Student Hardship Fund — supported by the Office of the President, trustees, and alumni — has distributed nearly $500,000 since April to help cover unanticipated visa and travel costs, according to the Spectator. The University also allocated endowment resources to a Research Stabilisation Fund to manage disruptions to federal support.Shipman said Columbia is preparing for both risks and opportunities amid a shifting global higher education landscape, the Spectator reported.