U.S. International Student and OPT Records Fall 6.7% Since 2024

The number of international students enrolled in U.S. degree programs or participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) fell by 6.7% between October 2024 and October 2026, according to a new analysis of federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System data.

The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration found approximately 1.09 million international students in associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs or post-graduation OPT as of October 2026. That was nearly 78,000 fewer than two years earlier. (higheredimmigrationportal.org)

The decline matters beyond university enrollment. International students are an important source of tuition revenue, research talent and future workers, particularly in graduate and science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs.

What the October 2026 SEVIS Data Show

Most of the two-year decline occurred during the latest 12-month period:

New York, Massachusetts, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania recorded the largest declines. Together, these five states lost more than 41,000 international student records—more than half of the nationwide decrease. New York alone lost more than 13,000. (higheredimmigrationportal.org)

Only eight states recorded increases between October 2024 and October 2026. Those states collectively added fewer than 10,000 international students, with Mississippi reporting the largest increase. (higheredimmigrationportal.org)

This Is Actual SEVIS Data, Not Another Enrollment Forecast

The new figures are different from the enrollment projections released earlier in 2026.

NAFSA and JB International previously projected that the United States could lose as many as 111,000 international students during the 2026–27 academic year, potentially reducing their economic contributions by up to $3.4 billion. Day1CPT.org covered that forecast in its 2026–27 international student enrollment outlook. (nafsa.org)

The October numbers are based on SEVIS records rather than an institutional survey or projection. However, they do not represent a traditional campus headcount: the total includes both students currently pursuing degrees and graduates participating in OPT.

The data also do not prove that one specific policy caused the decline. Visa availability, travel restrictions, immigration uncertainty, costs, employment prospects and students’ preferences among competing countries may all influence enrollment decisions. The Presidents’ Alliance specifically cautioned that the decrease cannot be attributed to any single policy. (higheredimmigrationportal.org)

Why the Decline Matters to Universities and Employers

International enrollment is especially important at the graduate level. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond research found that nonresident students accounted for roughly 17% of U.S. graduate enrollment by 2024, compared with about 3.5% at the undergraduate level. International students were also disproportionately concentrated in computer science, information science, mathematics and engineering. (richmondfed.org)

Fewer international students can therefore affect:

• Tuition-dependent academic programs and university budgets
• Research laboratories and graduate assistant positions
• Local housing, dining and transportation spending
• The number of U.S.-educated graduates entering the technology and engineering workforce
• Employers recruiting candidates through OPT, STEM OPT and H-1B pathways

NAFSA estimated that international students contributed approximately $42.9 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 355,000 jobs during the 2024–25 academic year. The latest SEVIS decrease does not establish an exact dollar loss, but it indicates that fewer students are participating in that economic and educational ecosystem. (nafsa.org)

What F-1, CPT and OPT Students Should Understand

The national decline does not change an individual student’s immigration status, employment authorization or eligibility for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or OPT.

Current and prospective students should instead treat the data as broader market information:

1. Evaluate each university separately. National declines do not mean every school or academic program is losing students. Eight states recorded growth, and individual universities may follow very different trends.

2. Review financial stability and student support. Students should examine program resources, scholarships, career services and outcomes for international graduates—especially at institutions that depend heavily on international tuition.

3. Plan early for visas and travel. Appointment availability can vary by embassy or consulate. Students applying from abroad should monitor the specific post where they intend to apply. Day1CPT.org’s report on Fall 2026 student visa delays provides additional context.

4. Verify employment authorization with the DSO. Enrollment trends do not modify CPT or OPT requirements. Students considering internships should review the latest 2026 CPT guidance and university responses and obtain authorization before beginning employment.

The main takeaway is not that international education in the United States is disappearing. It is that a forecasted downturn is now appearing in federal student records, with potentially significant consequences for universities, local economies and the U.S. talent pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 6.7% decline include students working on OPT?

Yes. The approximately 1.09 million total includes international students in associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as graduates participating in post-completion OPT. It should not be interpreted solely as the number of students physically attending classes on campus. (higheredimmigrationportal.org)

Is the international student decline a forecast?

No. The 6.7% figure comes from an analysis of October 2024 and October 2026 SEVIS records. It is different from earlier projections about Fall 2026 enrollment, although the findings point in the same general direction. (higheredimmigrationportal.org)

Does lower enrollment make admission easier for international students?

Not necessarily. A national decline does not reveal the acceptance rate, capacity or applicant demand for a specific university or program. Applicants should review each program’s current admissions information, funding, international enrollment and career outcomes.

Does the decline change CPT, Day 1 CPT or OPT rules?

No. Enrollment data do not change federal employment-authorization requirements. CPT must be authorized by a designated school official before employment begins, while OPT requires the applicable school recommendation and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval. Students should not assume that universities will loosen CPT, OPT or admissions requirements to increase enrollment.

Are all states losing international students?

No. Eight states recorded growth between October 2024 and October 2026, although their combined increase was smaller than the losses experienced by the largest international-student destinations. New York, Massachusetts, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania accounted for more than half of the nationwide decline. (higheredimmigrationportal.org)

Sources:

• Presidents’ Alliance: New SEVIS Data Reveals Sharp Drop in International Student Enrollment
• Department of Homeland Security: October 2026 SEVIS Data
• Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond: The Decline of Student Visas and Its Implications
• NAFSA: Fall 2026 International Student Enrollment Outlook and Economic Impact
• Business Insider: Why America Feels Emptier