International enrollment dips at Pitt, CMU
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Pittsburgh's largest universities are among many U.S. schools that saw dips in international student enrollment this fall — the first full academic year of President Trump's second term.
Why it matters: Having fewer international students could hurt cities like Pittsburgh that depend on higher ed and international talent.
By the numbers: A survey of 825 U.S. higher education institutions showed a 17% drop in international students matriculating in the fall for the first time, per a snapshot by the Institute of International Education.
- Overall enrollment among international students fell 1%. Undergraduate enrollment increased 2%, but graduate enrollment fell 11%.
Yes, but: Colleges continue to recruit international students.
- The majority of surveyed schools said they value international students' perspectives on campus and their financial contributions.
The big picture: The Trump administration upended the spring semester for international students nationwide, raising questions about fall enrollment.
- Students faced abrupt visa terminations, legal fights over their academic futures and, in some cases, arrest by immigration agents over political speech.
- Pennsylvania hosted more than 50,000 international students last academic year, who spent an estimated $2 billion and supported tens of thousands of jobs. Most came from China and India, followed by South Korea, Canada and Saudi Arabia.
Zoom in: The University of Pittsburgh reported a 5.2% decline in international enrollment this fall compared to fall 2024, but total student enrollment grew about 4.5% over last fall, per Pitt.
- Carnegie Mellon University, where international students make up roughly 40% of the student body, saw a 4.6% decline in international enrollment this fall compared to last fall, but its overall enrollment fell by less than 1% during the same period.
What they're saying: Pitt and CMU say the slight dips in international enrollment won't dent their finances, though deeper declines ahead could hit their bottom line.
- "(Pitt) is committed to monitoring changes in policy, visa processing and global events that may impact international students' ability to study in the United States and to providing support strategies based on evolving circumstances," said Pitt spokesperson Jared Stonesifer.
- "The demand for a Carnegie Mellon education remains exceptionally strong, evidenced by a record number of applications for the first-year cohort and record first-year yield," said CMU spokesperson Chuck Carney. "The percentage of domestic students continues to rise, and we saw a record number of Pell-eligible and first-generation students."
What we're watching: A new Trump administration rule imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications could make it harder for major employers and universities in the region to attract global recruits.