FALL 2005 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
ENROLLMENT SURVEY
November 2005
The survey, which tracked international students at U.S. colleges and universities, was
conducted among members of the following higher education associations: American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Council on Education (ACE),
Association of American Universities (AAU), Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), Institute
of International Education (IIE) NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and National
Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). The survey was
conducted between October 3 and 21, 2005.
RESPONDENTS
Table 1: Respondents. Total Responses 980
Institutional Affiliation of Respondents
Total Responses: 980
50.00%
40.1% (392)
40.00%
32.9% (321)
30.00%
19.7% (192)
20.00%
10.00%
4.6% (45)
2.8% (27)
Other
Professional
School
0.00%
University
Tw o Year
College
Four-Year
College
Table 2: Estimated total number of international students enrolled in your institution (in
ranges)
Total International Student Enrollment Ranges
60.00%
52.9% (513)
50.00%
40.00%
27.9% (270)
30.00%
20.00%
8.3% (80)
10.00%
10.9% (106)
0.00%
1-100
101-500
501-1000
More than 1000
NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENTS
Tables 3a-3e: Newly Enrolled International Students
Focusing only on newly admitted international students, how has that number at your
institution changed this year (Fall 2005) compared to Fall 2004 (excluding any Katrinarelated enrollments)?

Of all responding institutions (961), 40% reported an increase, 26% reported a decline,
and 34% reported level enrollments.

Of the responding institutions that enroll more than 1,000 international students (106
institutions), 51% reported increase, 26% reported declines, and 24% reported level
enrollments.

Of the responding two-year colleges (312), 36% reported increase, 25% reported
declines, and 39% reported level enrollments.

Of the responding institutions identifying themselves as “universities” (387), 48%
reported increase, 24% reported declines, and 28% reported level enrollments.

Of the responding four-year colleges (189), 34% reported increase, 33% reported
declines, and 33% reported level enrollments.
Table 3a: Newly enrolled international students, Fall 2005 compared to Fall 2004.
Newly Enrolled Intl Students Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004
34.1% (328)
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
18.9% (182)
20.00%
10.00%
14.2% (136)
13.7% (132)
15.00%
8.5% (82)
7.7% (74)
2.8% (27)
5.00%
0.00%
Substantial
Some
increase increase
Slight
increase
About the
same as
last year
Slight
decline
Some
decline
Substantial
decline
Table 3b: Newly enrolled international students at institutions enrolling more than 1,000
international students
New ly Enrolled Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004
Institutions w ith m ore than 1,000 intl students
35.00%
30.2% (32)
30.00%
23.6% (25)
25.00%
18.9% (20)
20.00%
17% (18)
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
5.7% (6)
2.8% (3)
1.9% (2)
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
same as
last year
Slight
decline
Some
decline
Substantial
decline
Table 3c: Two-Year Colleges:
Newly enrolled international students at institutions at two-year colleges, Fall 2005
compared to Fall 2004.
Newly Enrolled Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004
Two-Year Colleges
39.4% (123)
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
12.8% (40)
15.00%
10.00%
14.7% (46)
8.3% (26)
14.4% (45)
8.3% (26)
5.00%
1.9% (6)
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the Slight decline Some decline Substantial
same as last
decline
year
Table 3d: Universities:
Newly enrolled international students at institutions at “Universities” (respondents who
indicated that their institutional type is “University”), Fall 2005 compared to Fall 2004.
Newly Enrolled Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004 - "Universities"
30.00%
27.6% (107)
25.00%
23% (89)
20.00%
17.8% (69)
13.7% (53)
15.00%
10.00%
8.8% (34)
7.2% (28)
5.00%
1.8% (7)
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the Slight decline Some decline
same as last
year
Substantial
decline
Table 3e: Four-Year Colleges:
Newly enrolled international students at institutions at four-year colleges, Fall 2005
compared to Fall 2004.
Newly Enrolled Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004 - Four-Year Colleges
35.00%
32.8% (62)
30.00%
25.00%
18.5% (35)
20.00%
15.9% (30)
15.00%
10.00%
11.1% (21)
8.5% (16)
7.4% (14)
5.8% (11)
5.00%
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight increase
About the
same as last
year
Slight decline
Some decline
Substantial
decline
TOTAL INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENTS
Tables 4a-4f: Total International Student Enrollments
How has the total enrollment of international students at your institution changed this fall
(Fall 2005), compared to Fall 2004 (excluding any Katrina-related enrollments)?

Of all responding institutions (970), 34% reported an increase, 33% reported a decline,
and 34% reported level enrollments.

Of the responding institutions that enroll more than 1,000 international students (106
institutions), 33% reported increase, 43% reported declines, and 24% reported level
enrollments.

Of the responding two-year colleges (316), 30% reported increase, 36% reported
declines, and 34% reported level enrollments.

Of the responding institutions identifying themselves as “universities” (390), 36%
reported increase, 33% reported declines, and 31% reported level enrollments.

Of the responding four-year colleges (191), 34% reported increase, 32% reported
declines, and 35% reported level enrollments.

Of the responding four-year colleges and universities (584), 36% reported increase,
33% reported declines, and 32% reported level enrollments.
Table 4a: Total International Student Enrollments, Fall 2005 compared to Fall 2004
International Student Enrollment Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004
40.00%
33.6% (326)
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
15.00%
10.00%
20.2% (196)
17.8% (173)
20.00%
11.1% (108)
10.3% (100)
4.9% (48)
2.0% (19)
5.00%
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
same as
last year
Slight
decline
Some
decline
Substantial
decline
Table 4b: Total international student enrollments at institutions with more than 1,000
international students, Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004.
Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004
Institutions with more than 1,000 intl students
33% (35)
35%
30%
24.5% (26)
25%
23.6% (25)
20%
15%
8.5% (9)
10%
5%
8.5% (9)
1.9% (2)
0%
0%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
same as last
year
Slight decline Some decline
Substantial
decline
Table 4c: Two-Year Colleges: Total international student enrollments at two-year
colleges, Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004
Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004
Two-Year Colleges
40.00%
34.2% (108)
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
19.9% (63)
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
12% (38)
11.7% (37)
13% (41)
6% (19)
3.2% (10)
5.00%
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
Slight decline Some decline
same as last
year
Substantial
decline
Table 4d: “Universities”: Total international student enrollments at responding
institutions who indicated that they are a “university”, Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004.
Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004 - "Universities"
35.00%
30.8% (120)
30.00%
23.1% (90)
25.00%
20.5% (80)
20.00%
15.00%
11.3% (44)
9.2% (36)
10.00%
4.6% (18)
5.00%
0.5% (2)
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the Slight decline Some decline
same as last
year
Substantial
decline
Table 4e: Four-Year Colleges: Total international student enrollments at four-year
colleges, Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004
Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004 - Four-Year Colleges
40.00%
34.6% (66)
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
19.9% (38)
19.9% (38)
20.00%
15.00%
9.9% (19)
9.9% (19)
10.00%
5.00%
3.7% (7)
2.1% (4)
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
Slight decline Some decline
same as last
year
Substantial
decline
Table 4f: Universities and Four-Year Colleges: Total international student enrollments
at universities and four-year colleges (combined), Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004
Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004 Universities and Four-Year Colleges
35.00%
32% (187)
30.00%
25.00%
21.9% (128)
20.4% (119)
20.00%
15.00%
10.8% (63)
9.6% (56)
10.00%
5.00%
4.3% (25)
1% (6)
0.00%
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
same as last
year
Slight decline Some decline
Substantial
decline
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN: NEW INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT ENROLLMENTS
What change, if any, have you noticed for Fall 2005 compared to Fall 2004 in the number of
newly admitted international students from the following places of origin (top sending
countries and countries with large Muslim populations)?

For most countries, respondents reported increase and decreases at similar levels.

For some countries, more responding institutions reported an increase than a decline,
specifically for China (29% reporting increases vs. 20% reporting declines) and Korea
(36% reporting increases vs. 17% reporting declines).

For other countries, more responding institutions reported a decline than an increase,
specifically for Indonesia (20% reporting a decline vs. 13% reporting an increase),
Malaysia (18% reporting a decline vs. 10% reporting an increase), and Pakistan (20%
reporting a decline vs. 14% reporting an increase).
Table 5: Country Breakdown: Newly enrolled international students, Fall 2005
compared to Fall 2004
Newly Enrolled International Students
Fall 2005: Country Breakdown
36
29
18
16
13
8
In
do
ne
si
a
M
al
ay
si
a
Pa
ki
st
an
Sa
ud
iA
ra
bi
a
Ko
re
a
C
In
di
a
hi
na
% of Respondents Reporting Increase
13
22
20
8
Th
ai
la
nd
15
10
20 19 19
ig
er
ia
14
13
18
N
20
Ke
ny
a
17
18
Tu
rk
ey
20
AE
20
15
10
5
0
24
U
20
Eg
yp
t
26
25
24
Ja
pa
n
40
35
30
25
% of Respondents Reporting Decrease
19
DECLINES AT UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE LEVEL
If you enroll both graduate and undergraduate students, was the decline in international
students more evident in graduate or undergraduate enrollment, for Fall 2005 compared to
Fall 2004?

Institutions that enroll both graduate and undergraduate students indicated that the
declines were more evident at the undergraduate level. 47% (109 institutions) of the
institutions that responded to that question said that declines were more evident at the
undergraduate level, while 29% (66) reported more graduate level declines, and 24%
(56) reported that both graduate and undergraduate levels declines were about the
same.
Table 6: Declines at Undergraduate or Graduate Level
Was Decline in Intl Students More Evident at Grad or Undergrad
Enrollments?
24% (56)
47% (109)
29% (66)
Undergrad
Grad
Both Grad and Undergrad Declined Similarly
SPECIAL STEPS TO ENSURE INTERNATIONAL ENROLLMENTS
DO NOT DECLINE
Has your institution taken any special steps to ensure that the number of international
enrollments does not decline?

Fifty percent (475) of all responding institutions have taken special steps to ensure that
the number of international students on their campuses does not decline, while 50%
(482) have not taken any special steps.

Asked to comment on what special steps institutions have taken, responses included:
expanded recruitment efforts (more recruitment trips, recruitment at both
undergraduate and graduate level, full-time recruitment overseas, etc), increased
marketing efforts (developing marketing or recruitment plans, analysis of competitor
institutions), more grants and financial assistance to students and increased stipends to
graduate assistants, enhanced communication with prospective and admitted
international students (priority processing for international applicants, online chats
with students from selected countries during the admission-decision making time
period, etc.), better coordination with admissions offices (including hiring new
enrollment managers), as well as targeted efforts to improve the environment and
support services to make international students feel more welcome on campus.
Table 7: Has your institution taken any special steps to ensure that the number of
international enrollments does not decline?
Has your institution taken any special steps to
ensure that the number of international
enrollments does not decline?
No
50% (482)
Yes
50% (475)
MAJOR REASONS FOR REPORTED DECLINES IN ENROLLMENTS
Based on feedback from international applicants, what do you believe are the major reasons
for the decline in enrollments?

Thirty-five percent (297 institutions) of the responding institutions experiencing
declines in international students enrollments cited visa application processes and
concerns of delays/denials as the major reason for the decline, making it the leading
cause, followed by cost of tuition/fees at U.S. institutions (18% or 154 institutions)
and decisions to enroll in another country’s institutions (13% or 110 institutions).

Of the 109 respondents (or 13%) who chose “other” as their response, many indicated
increased competition for international students among U.S. institutions, a higher
number of transfers or graduating international students, lack of recruitment efforts,
lack of graduate assistantships, or a combination of all the various reason listed.
Table 8: Major Reasons for Reported Declines in Enrollments
Based on feedback from international applicants, w hat are the
m ajor reasons for the decline in enrollm ents?
5.2% (45)
5.9% (51)
11% (95)
34.5% (297)
12.7% (109)
12.8% (110)
17.9% (154)
Visa application process
Cost of tuition/fees at my institution
Decisions to enroll in another country’s institutions
Other
Home country economic problems
Enroll in ow n country’s higher education institution
Problems/concern over fees and fee payments related to SEVIS
HURRICANE KATRINA-RELATED INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT ENROLLMENTS
Tables 9a-9b: Hurricane Katrina-related international student enrollments.

Twenty-one percent of the respondents (207 institutions) reported that that they
enrolled international students who were originally enrolled in Gulf Coast campuses
affected by Hurricane Katrina, while 79% (759) did not enroll any of these students.

Most of these institutions (87% or 192 institutions) accepted 1-10 students, while 19
(9%) accepted 11-30 students, 2 institutions (or 1%) accepted 31-50 students, 4 (or
2%) accepted 51-100 students, and 2 (or 1%) accepted more than 100 students.

In anecdotal responses, respondents indicated the types of special arrangements that
they made to help Katrina-related students. These arrangements ranged from allowing
late registration and late payment of fees, expedited application processing, special
housing assistance, tuition waivers, tuition reduction, deferred tuition, in-state tuition
for out-of-state students and special scholarships.
Table 9a: For Fall 2005, did your institution enroll any international students who were
originally enrolled in Gulf Coast campuses affected by Hurricane Katrina?
For Fall 2005, did your institution enroll any international
students w ho w ere originally enrolled in Gulf Coast
cam puses affected by Hurricane Katrina
Yes
21% (207)
No
79% (759)
Table 9b: If you have accepted such students, please check the box indicating the
approximate number you have accepted.
Approximate number of Hurricane-Katrina-affected
international students accepted
1.8% (4)
0.9% (2)
0.9% (2)
8.7% (19)
1-10
11-30
31-50
51-100
More than 100
87.7% (192)
RESPONSES FROM 17 INSTITUTIONS THAT ENROLL THE
HIGHEST NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Table 10a – 10b: Responses from 17 of the institutions that host the highest numbers of
international students in the United States, Fall 2005 vs. Fall 2004.

Ten of the 17 institutions that host the highest numbers of international students report
increases in the number of newly enrolled international students on their campuses this
year, while six institutions report declines, and one campus no noticeable change.

Looking at overall international students enrollments, eight of the 17 institutions
reported a decline, while five reported an increase, and four reported no change.
Table 10a: Newly enrolled international students at 17 institutions that enroll the highest
numbers of international students, Fall 2005 compared to Fall 2004.
Newly Enrolled Int'l Students Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004 17 of the institutions that host the highest number of
international students
8
7
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
same as last
year
Slight decline Some decline
Substantial
decline
Table 10b: Overall international student enrollments at 17 institutions that enroll the
highest numbers of international students, Fall 2005 compared to Fall 2004.
Int'l Student Enrollments, Fall 2005 vs Fall 2004 17 of the institutions that host the highest number of
international students
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
8
4
4
1
0
Substantial
increase
Some
increase
Slight
increase
About the
same as
last year
Slight
decline
0
0
Some
decline
Substantial
decline