Nebraska Colleges Face Challenges Amid Decline in International Student Enrollment
International student enrollment in U.S. universities is experiencing a downturn, impacting institutions across Nebraska, including Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. The university saw a decline from 57 to 40 international students last year, reflecting a broader national trend influenced by visa appointment pauses, expanded social media screenings, and a perceived hostile climate towards immigrants.
The Institute of International Education’s Fall 2025 survey across 825 institutions revealed a 1% overall drop in international enrollment, with new international students decreasing by 17%. For Nebraska Wesleyan, a private liberal arts college with 1,600 students, each international student significantly contributes to the school’s financial health and cultural diversity.
“In the recent years, one of the challenges that we’ve seen is that more students have been denied visas to study in the United States,” stated Ryan Cassell, vice president of enrollment management at Nebraska Wesleyan. The university faces potential losses in cultural experiences and tuition revenue due to decreased international student numbers.
Yoko Iwaki-Zink from Nebraska Wesleyan’s Office of Global Engagement noted that current international students are anxious about visa requirements and policy uncertainties that could affect their education. While no students have had visas revoked, international applications have decreased, prompting the university to enhance domestic recruitment and international outreach efforts.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) shares similar enrollment challenges. Monique Snowden, interim associate vice chancellor of enrollment management, highlighted difficulties faced by Chinese students due to strained U.S.-China relations, while Southeast Asia is emerging as a potential market. UNL emphasizes its agricultural expertise in partnerships with international universities.
Snowden commented, “I think students are looking for spaces and places where they feel like they can find a sense of belongingness and feel safe, physical safety, but also emotional safety.” The visa process remains complex, and denials often come without clear reasons, adding to the uncertainty for students and institutions alike.
Strategies to Sustain International Student Recruitment
Despite the decline, universities are not retreating from international recruitment. “Now’s not the time to just back out of everything,” Snowden advised, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a presence in international markets. UNL is actively engaging in outreach, including a high school tour in India, and is exploring recruitment of international students already in the U.S.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) continues to invest in international student programs, viewing them as a long-term commitment to the “common good,” according to Andrea Stiefvater, who leads international programs. She noted that international recruitment is inherently volatile due to external factors like currency fluctuations and geopolitical shifts.
Financial and Cultural Impacts of Enrollment Declines
The decline in international students has broader economic implications. NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, estimates a $1.1 billion revenue loss and 23,000 fewer jobs nationwide, with Nebraska facing a $3.1 million shortfall for the 2025-26 academic year. International students contribute $121.4 million to Nebraska’s economy, supporting 770 jobs statewide.
Federal policies, including visa appointment pauses and travel restrictions announced by President Donald Trump, have exacerbated these challenges. Enrollment officials stress the immeasurable cultural and intellectual contributions of international students, which enrich academic environments and foster empathy and understanding.
Snowden highlighted the reciprocal benefits of international student presence, noting, “When our international students come here, Nebraska is rich. It’s rich with different experiences, different people from rural to city and all that and everything.” At UNO, Stiefvater emphasized the essential role of international students in fulfilling the university’s mission.
Yoko Iwaki-Zink remains hopeful for future international students at Nebraska Wesleyan, stating, “I want as many students around the world as possible to have the same great experience, great cultural, global experiences at Nebraska Wesleyan University.” The university remains committed to providing these opportunities despite current challenges.
