International enrollment declines at Texas Baptist universities

Texas universities are feeling the impact of a nationwide decline in international student enrollment, with new enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities falling sharply in fall 2025, and continuing into fall 2026, amid changing immigration policies. Texas Baptist universities are not exempt.

According to the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Fall 2025 International Student Enrollment Snapshot, international student enrollment in the U.S. declined in fall 2025, along with the economic contributions of international students.

While the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System and visa issuance data earlier in the year pointed to flat or modest growth, the survey found a 17 percent drop in new international student enrollment. That decline contributed to a 7 percent decrease in total enrollment.

A recent CNBC report, citing data from Common App, suggests increasingly restrictive immigration policies—including tighter visa restrictions and expanded enforcement—are contributing to a decline in international student interest in U.S. colleges.

While overall undergraduate application volume increased for the 2026–2027 academic year, the number of international applicants fell by 10 percent—the steepest decline on record, according to Common App.

Visa uncertainty

The national decline comes as international students face changes and uncertainty surrounding U.S. immigration and visa policies. Those changes are affecting Texas universities in different ways, from delays and denials to concerns about whether students will be able to begin or complete their programs.

The changes could also have economic implications for Texas, where international students in Texas contributed nearly $2.5 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024. Nationally, international students contributed roughly $55 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024, according to Axios Dallas, citing a separate dataset from the Institute of International Education.

The University of North Texas, UT Arlington, and UT Dallas had the highest international student enrollment among Texas institutions.

The enrollment decline and changes to immigration policy are also creating uncertainty for private Texas Baptist universities and seminaries, which rely on international students as part of their campus communities.

Baptist University of the Américas reported “a substantial decline in the number of new F-1 international students,” enrolling 16 new F-1 international students in fall 2025, compared to only nine new F-1 students in fall 2026.

BUA reported the drop is due to “many prospective international students … not receiving visa approval in time to begin their studies.” BUA currently has 14 prospective F-1 students whose approvals remain pending.

Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary experienced similar declines due to delays in students receiving appointments for visa interviews.

“International students tell us they are experiencing delays in receiving appointments for visa interviews. We have observed much higher rates of visa denials. There is also much concern among international students as to whether they can reasonably complete degree programs within new ‘duration of stay’ parameters,” Truett reported.

Previously, F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa holders who are foreign media representatives, were admitted to the U.S. for “duration of status,” or D/S. That allowed them to remain in the country as long as they continued their studies, exchange programs, or work for a foreign media organization, without a specific end date.

A proposed Department of Homeland Security rule would have changed that system. Under the rule, F, J, and I nonimmigrants would have been admitted instead for a fixed period of up to four years, or the length of their program. Those who needed to stay longer would have had to apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension of stay.

However, as of Sept. 15, a federal judge has granted nationwide preliminary relief, blocking DHS from implementing the rule.

Texas campuses

Although the policy landscape remains unsettled, international students have already faced disruptions navigating the visa process. At Truett Seminary, those disruptions contributed to a lower number of new international students enrolling in 2025, with several students forced to defer their enrollment after failing to obtain visas in time.

“In prior fall terms, Truett would gain more new international students coming from outside the United States than from those already within the United States. In 2025, Truett enrolled five international students from out of the country and deferred 12, and none of those deferred were able to obtain visas for fall 2026 enrollment,” Truett stated.

Truett cited delays in visa processing and appointments, increased number of visa denials, enhanced scrutiny on social media accounts, enhanced scrutiny of documentation associated with financial resources, and bans on student visas originating in certain countries as primary factors driving lower international student enrollment in the seminary.

Enrollment shifts

Dallas Baptist University has also seen a consistent decline in its international student population since fall 2025. DBU attributed the decline to several factors, including changes in immigration policy and increased access to English-language, liberal arts-style programs outside the United States.

“Our applications for undergraduate study and online language programs have increased, but the numbers coming from the countries with the largest representation at DBU and in the U.S., India, and China, have dropped substantially. There are several converging trends at work, including a tightening of U.S. immigration policy, which not only impacts illegal border crossings, but also students who wish to study in the U.S.,” DBU reported.

Beyond immigration policy, DBU pointed to the growing availability of comparable educational programs abroad as another factor affecting international enrollment.

“Additionally, the market for U.S.-style education has expanded considerably in recent years, so that there are liberal arts-style programs available in English in countries across the world at reduced price points. The U.S. continues to be the first choice for many, but this may change as access becomes more limited,” DBU continued.

DBU has experienced a drop of roughly 23 percent in the number of incoming international students, with the majority of the decrease in master-level programs. The university said the decline has been particularly pronounced among students from India and China and among those attending classes in person.

“Enrollments from countries such as India and China are the primary reductions. The decrease is less than some peer institutions, but this can be attributed to the fact that we offer substantial programs online. The drop in the number of students who are actually attending in person has dropped approximately 40 percent,” DBU reported.

DBU said the decline is not unique to its campus, noting other universities have also experienced reduced international enrollment and, as a result, have had to reconsider certain programs and services.

“We are hearing that some of our peer institutions are struggling with international enrollments. Since many of these students pay a premium to attend, we are hearing of reductions for international offices, housing programs, and masters programs where internationals make up a large percentage.”

Not every Texas Baptist university has experienced a decline. At East Texas Baptist University, the international student population has remained steady, typically ranging from 15 to 20 students.

“This year, the university has 16 international students, 15 of whom are student-athletes. For some of ETBU’s Canadian students, the exchange rate and broader economic uncertainty have added to financial challenges,” ETBU reported.

Referencing the role of Baptist Student Ministry, ETBU said: “While reports from other BSMs universities have noted international enrollment is declining in some places, ETBU has not seen a comparable decline in its international student numbers. As a result, the university is not anticipating any drastic changes in international student ministry efforts in the year ahead.”

Ministry impact

For Texas Baptist universities, the changes in international enrollment extend beyond enrollment numbers and finances, affecting opportunities for cross-cultural relationships and ministry on campus.

BUA anticipates fewer opportunities for international student ministry if enrollment continues declining: “The decline in international enrollment has both ministry and financial implications for BUA. International outreach is central to the university’s mission, and fewer international students reduce opportunities for local churches and the BUA community to build relationships, provide support, and share the gospel across cultures.”

DBU said the decline has also presented challenges for campus ministry, particularly as fewer international students are physically present on campus.

“We view every student that God gives us as important. While we have fewer international students to share the gospel or encourage in their Christian faith, we are focusing on continuing to minister to those who have been able to come. With more online, the ministry can be more difficult, but it is not impossible. We continue to share the good news, make disciples, and be a resource for God’s kingdom, which knows no national borders,” DBU said.

Beyond the challenges of reaching fewer students in person, DBU said the changing immigration landscape has created additional uncertainty for international students already in the United States.

“We anticipate that our international students, many who have given up friends and family at great personal cost to be in the U.S., will suffer from the stress of not knowing what to expect. Policy and regulation, which are normally stable for decades, are now in a period of considerable uncertainty.

“We will need to pour resources into supporting these students through increased mentoring, and as we see more move online than here in person, DBU will need to be creative in how we meet the needs of those who are distant.”