Editor’s note: This story was originally published here manifest law.
International students have long been a cornerstone of the U.S. higher education system, contributing not only to tuition revenue but also to research capacity, workforce development, and global academic exchange.
For decades, supported by a network of universities, research institutes, and professional programs, the United States has been one of the world’s leading destinations for students seeking degrees abroad. To study in the United States, most foreign nationals must obtain a student visa – usually either an F visa for academic study or an M visa for vocational training.
However, in recent years, the scenario has become more challenging for international students studying in the US.
Changes in the new policy—including Compulsory Personal Interview and thoroughly examined social media profiles– Has introduced new obstacles for prospective students. At the same time, interest in international education is increasing in Europe and some Asian countries, indicating increased competition for American educational institutions.
To better understand these trends, researchers manifest law-A Modern Immigration law firm focusing on immigration visas analyzed F-1 and M-1 visa data from the US Department of Homeland Security to gain insight into where international students are studying in the US, where they are coming from, and how these trends are changing over time.
Following are the 10 states that saw the largest declines in international student enrollment. See the methodology section at the end for more information on how the analysis was conducted.
10. Massachusetts
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -5.8%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -5,021
- Total International Students (March 2026): 81,835
- Total International Students (March 2025): 86,856
- Share of all international students in the US: 6.6%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: India
9. Connecticut
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -5.9%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -1,384
- Total International Students (March 2026): 21,982
- Total International Students (March 2025): 23,366
- Share of all international students in the US: 1.8%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: India
8. Oregon
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -6.4%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -479
- Total International Students (March 2026): 7,014
- Total International Students (March 2025): 7,493
- Share of all international students in the US: 0.6%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: India
7.Iowa
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -6.4%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -633
- Total International Students (March 2026): 9,300
- Total International Students (March 2025): 9,933
- Share of all international students in the US: 0.8%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: India
6. Delaware
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -6.8%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -360
- Total International Students (March 2026): 4,935
- Total International Students (March 2025): 5,295
- Share of all international students in the US: 0.4%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: India
5. Ohio
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -7.3%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -2,829
- Total International Students (March 2026): 35,919
- Total International Students (March 2025): 38,748
- Share of all international students in the US: 2.9%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: India
4. Missouri
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -7.4%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -2,640
- Total International Students (March 2026): 33,142
- Total International Students (March 2025): 35,782
- Share of all international students in the US: 2.7%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: India
3. Montana
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -9.9%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -90
- Total International Students (March 2026): 816
- Total International Students (March 2025): 906
- Share of all international students in the US: 0.1%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: Canada
2. Hawaii
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -10.5%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -308
- Total International Students (March 2026): 2,628
- Total International Students (March 2025): 2,936
- Share of all international students in the US: 0.2%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: Japan
1. Washington
- Percentage change in international students (2025-2026): -15.8%
- Net change in international students (2025-2026): -4,330
- Total International Students (March 2026): 23,152
- Total International Students (March 2025): 27,482
- Share of all international students in the US: 1.9%
- The most common countries of citizenship for international students: China
Methodology
The data used in this study comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security study in the states data.
To determine which US states are losing the most international students, researchers at Manifest Law used the most recent data to calculate the percentage change in international students in the US from March 2025 to March 2026.
The international student data in this analysis exclusively represent active F and M series visa records tracked by the SEVIS database. This data includes both enrolled students and those participating in post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT), but excludes J-Series exchange visitors.
Because this data tracks active SEVIS status rather than physical location, state-level figures may be skewed geographically by OPT participants working out of state, cross-border travelers, and students on temporary leave or studying abroad.
Additionally, marginal double counting may exist within the snapshot due to temporary system overlap during mid-semester transfers or concurrent enrollment reporting errors.
Additionally, the researchers calculated the total change in international students present in the US, the share of all international students in the US, and the most common country of citizenship for international students.