Fall 2004 Survey of Foreign Student and Scholar Enrollment and Visa Trends

The results of a fall 2004 snapshot survey released today by NAFSA, the Association of American Universities, the Council of Graduate Schools, the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the Institute of International Education, suggest that visa delays are less widespread this year than last. At the same time, more than half of the doctoral and research institutions that responded to the survey (54.8%) reported a decline in new international graduate enrollments.

With respect to new international undergraduate enrollments, roughly the same number of institutions reported decreases as reported increases in enrollments this fall when compared to 2003. However, significant numbers of institutions reported declines in continuing undergraduate enrollments. Problems encountered during the visa process were once again cited among the factors in declines in enrollments, but decreases in applications by international students also appear to continue to be a significant factor. The survey, conducted during the month of October, received 480 responses from a diverse range of higher education institutions across the country.

View the NAFSA and community press releases about the survey and results.