UAlbany Sees 16% Decline in International Student Enrollment

By Mirai Abe & Sia Patel | October 6, 2025 

The University at Albany had over 280 fewer international students this academic year, following the national trend.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The University at Albany has fewer international students this academic year influenced by the recent visa and immigration policy changes. Their enrollment in the 2025-2026 academic year declined by 16%, according to UAlbany’s Public Information director Amy Geduldig. 

UAlbany had 1,483 international students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year– 286 fewer students from last year, in which 1769 international students were enrolled. 

In recent years, India has been the largest source of international students for UAlbany. This trend has continued this academic year but the number of Indian international students decreased from 833 last academic year to 549 this academic year due to limited visa appointment availability and the uncertainty regarding visa status.   

UAlbany continues to promote an international campus environment and cultural exchange however despite the recent backlash to international education.

“UAlbany’s priority is to provide a safe and uplifting educational experience,” Geduldig told the ASP, “and we will continue to do everything possible to support our international students.”

College officials in the Capital Region assume that the decrease is influenced by the Trump administration’s recent policy changes on international students’ visa status, including its failed attempt to halt the enrollment of international students coming to Harvard University. 

In UAlbany, four students–two current students and two recent graduates–got their visas revoked in April without a prior notice to the university. UAlbany spokesperson Amy Geduldig said the university has not seen any visa cancellation cases since then.

“We are also working closely with SUNY and state partners to continue to provide our students with significant support, guidance and resources, as well as opportunities for community and belonging,” she said. 

Some UAlbany international students shared their anxiety and pressure to comply with the rapidly changing student visa policies with the ASP. 

“When I first heard about these changes, I felt a bit concerned, but I was also relieved that my own visa status was still secure,” said Bhavi S. Patel, a junior computer science major from Gujarat, India. “At the same time, it made me think about how uncertain the future can be for international students.”

“The message these visa policies send is that international students must take their academics, career and finances very seriously,” Patel said. “They highlight that the path can be challenging, but with hard work and determination, students can still succeed.”

Other colleges in Upstate New York  also had their international students’ visas terminated this year. 

In the Capital Region, three Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students and one student at Siena College had their visas cancelled as of April 2025, according to the Inside Higher Ed. 13 students at the University at Buffalo, 11 students at the University of Rochester and eight students at Rochester Institute of Technology had their visas terminated additionally. 

The trend is not limited to New York either. 

Research from the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs: Association of International Educators predicted that the U.S. will have 150,000 fewer students coming to the country to study.

An increase in J-1 and F-1 visa cancellations, visa interview suspensions, limited visa appointment and the screening of social media activities for non-U.S. citizens all contributed to the nationwide decrease in international student enrollment, according to the NAFSA report.

The loss of international students can bring negative impacts to the colleges and their communities not only culturally and academically, but also financially.

The study predicts that the drop of international students in the U.S. this year could lead to nearly $7 billion loss in revenue and 60,000 fewer jobs.  The drop of enrollment can additionally mean a direct loss of revenue for universities. 

International students tend to pay their tuition in full price because non-U.S. citizens are not eligible for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education. International students also contribute to the economy by renting an apartment, owning a car and purchasing groceries. 

Patel believes that international students bring positive impacts to the campus community. 

“International students play an important role in U.S. higher education. We bring diverse perspectives, share our cultures and contribute to the academic and social environment on campus,” she said. “Many of us also go on to work in industries like technology, research and business, adding value to the U.S. economy.”

Geduldig too thinks that it’s important to have international students on campus. 

“UAlbany’s international students play a pivotal role in fostering a strong and globally-engaged community,” she said. “and we appreciate their perspectives, which enrich and sustain the academic, cultural and social fabric of our campus.”