The overall downturn is primarily driven by a 6 percent decrease in applications and a 2 percent decrease in first-time enrollment in master’s and certificate programs, the report stated, citing less welcoming government policies as one of the reasons for the decline. The drop in overall graduate applications and first-time enrollment was 4 percent and 1 percent, respectively. In contrast, the report noted that first-time international doctoral enrollment grew by 3 percent.
“This is the first time we’ve seen declines across two consecutive years, and while we think it’s too soon to consider this a trend, it is troubling,” said CGS president Dr. Suzanne Ortega.
Dr. Suzanne Ortega
The report, based on 240 institutions that contributed data for both fall 2017 and fall 2018, stated that graduate applications from Middle Eastern and North African students to U.S. graduate schools fell by 14 percent between the Fall 2017 and Fall 2018 admission cycles.
Particular declines were cited in graduate applications and first-time enrollment of Iranian students (-27 percent and -8 percent respectively) and Saudi Arabian (-6 percent, -21 percent). However, applications and first-time enrollment of Sub-Saharan African graduate students actually increased by 28 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
“We continue to monitor issues, including changes in immigration and visa policy, with growing concern over the possible negative impact to the U.S.’s image as a welcoming destination for international students and scholars,” Ortega said.
