International student decline hits CU Boulder enrollment

By the numbers: CU Boulder has 1,754 international students this fall, down 18.6% from 2,154 last year, according to university census data.

• The biggest drop came among new international graduate students, whose enrollment plunged 49.5%, from 402 last year to 203.

Zoom out: The same trend is playing out across the CU system.

• International enrollment fell 17.8% systemwide and accounted for nearly two-thirds of CU's overall enrollment decline.
• International graduate enrollment dropped 22.5%, while international undergraduate enrollment fell 9.7%.
• Total CU enrollment fell 1.4%, compared with Boulder's smaller 0.8% decline.

The big picture: CU is hardly alone.

• New international student enrollment at U.S. colleges fell 17% in fall 2025 amid visa hurdles and broader concerns about studying in the U.S.

The bottom line: The international student decline adds financial pressure for CU.

• The university entered the year expecting enrollment growth while already projecting a $60.4 million decline in research spending because of reduced federal funding opportunities.