--- title: "Indian applications to US colleges fall 14-15%" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/indian-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-14-15" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/indian-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-14-15" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/indian-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-14-15.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/indian-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-14-15" category: "Business & Economy" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-25T03:45:54.969Z" source_reported: "2026-08-25T02:29:37.000Z" updated: "2026-08-25T05:00:24.401Z" trust_score: 74 critic_score: 85 hype_score: 22 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-25T05:00:20.862328+00:00" --- # Indian applications to US colleges fall 14-15% *Data shows a decline in Indian first-year applicants for the 2025-26 admissions cycle.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 74 of 100, higher is better. Trust 74: multiple independent outlets cite Common App data with specific figures and dates, no anonymous sources. - Craft 85 of 100, higher is better. Critic 85: explains relevance, separates data from comment, provides specific numbers, and notes future visa policy impacts. - Hype 22 of 100, lower is better. Hype 22: language is factual with mild emphasis, no clickbait or sensational adjectives. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Indian first-year applicants to US colleges dropped by 14% to 15% in the 2025-26 admissions cycle, based on Common App data. - The number of Indian applicants recorded was 13,819 through March 1, down from approximately 16,000 in the previous cycle. - This decline occurs while overall domestic US college applications saw a 3% increase. - Several reports link the drop in applications to tighter US visa policies and immigration rules. Applications from Indian students to US colleges for the 2025-26 admissions cycle have decreased by between 14% and 15%. This trend is reflected in data from Common App, a platform used by 911 institutions. Through March 1, Common App recorded 13,819 first-year applicants from India, a reduction from around 16,000 in the prior admissions cycle. This decline contrasts with a 3% rise in domestic US applicants during the same period. India remains the second-largest international applicant market after China. ## Divergent figures on application decline Reports present slightly different figures for the decline in Indian applications. The Economic Times states a 14% drop, citing Common App data. Hindustan Times and other outlets report a 15% decrease in applications from India. ## What the coverage left out None of the centre or right-rated reports below mention the Trump White House tweet that linked the decline in Indian applications to tighter US visa policies, a fact noted by Hindustan Times. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 11% (1) - Centre: 22% (2) - Right: 67% (6) 1 of 10 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-25T05:00:20.862328+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-25T05:30:38.946Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports focused on the statistics of the decline in Indian applications to US colleges. The Economic Times reported a 14% fall in Indian applications, noting that this was one of the sharper declines among major source countries. It detailed that the number of Indian applicants fell to 13,819 from around 16,000 in the previous cycle, making India the second-largest international applicant market after China. The report also highlighted that international applications weakened globally, with a 9% drop overall on Common App, while domestic US applicants increased by 3%. ### Right - Right-rated reports consistently highlighted a 15% drop in Indian student applications to US colleges, frequently linking this decline to stricter US immigration and visa policies. Times of India stated that the tightening of policies under the Donald Trump administration appears to be impacting Indian students. The Hindu Business Line also noted the 15% fall amid tighter immigration policies, alongside a 10% decline in international applicants overall. Moneycontrol suggested visa uncertainty, tighter rules, and questions about post-study work options are making the US a less predictable choice. NDTV reported the 15% decrease, identifying India as the top source for international students in the US. India Today's report also cited a 15% fall due to tighter immigration rules, signalling anxiety over visas, costs, and post-study work access. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 8 - unknown: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/usa-news/indian-students-us-college-applications-fall-15-amid-tighter-visa-rules-report) — Indian students US college applications fall 15% amid tighter visa rules: Report - The Tribune - [The Siasat Daily](https://siasat.com/15-pc-dip-in-indian-students-seeking-ug-admission-in-us-report-3530285) — 15 pc dip in Indian students seeking UG admission in US: Report - [tezzbuzz](https://tezzbuzz.com/15-drop-in-indian-students-applying-to-us-colleges-why-the-american-dream-is-losing-appeal) — 15% Drop In Indian Students Applying To US Colleges: Why The American Dream Is Losing Appeal - [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/indian-student-applications-to-us-colleges-drop-15-amid-tougher-visa-rules-report/articleshow/133486864.cms) — Indian student applications to US colleges drop 15% amid tougher visa rules: Report - [The Hindu Business Line](https://thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/indian-student-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-15-amid-tighter-immigration-policies/article71386366.ece) — Indian student applications to US colleges fall 15% amid visa restrictions - [Moneycontrol](https://moneycontrol.com/news/india/us-college-applications-from-india-fall-15-why-students-are-looking-beyond-the-american-dream-14014477.html) — US college applications from India fall 15%: Why students are looking beyond the American dream - [NDTV](https://ndtv.com/india-news/15-decline-in-indian-students-seeking-undergraduate-courses-in-us-report-11954120) — 15% Decline In Indian Students Seeking Undergraduate Courses In US: Report - [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/nri/study/indian-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-14-as-international-demand-weakens/articleshow/133398761.cms) — Indian applications to US colleges fall 14% as international demand weakens - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/indian-students-us-colleges-applications-drop-15-amid-tighter-visa-rules-ptag-2979125-2026-08-25) — Indian applications to US colleges drop 15% amid tighter visa rules - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/foreign-applications-from-india-to-us-colleges-down-by-15-percent-shows-report-among-steepest-drops-from-any-country-101787589638628.html) — Foreign applications from India to US colleges down by 15%, shows report; among steepest drops from any country ## Questions **How many Indian students applied to US colleges?** Through March 1 of the 2025-26 admissions cycle, 13,819 Indian first-year applicants used Common App. This is a decrease from approximately 16,000 applicants in the previous cycle. **What percentage of Indian applications to US colleges declined?** Reports indicate a decline of either 14% or 15% in Indian student applications to US colleges for the 2025-26 admissions cycle, according to Common App data. **How does this compare to domestic US college applications?** While international applications from India have declined, domestic US college applications saw a 3% increase during the same admissions cycle. **What reasons are given for the decline in applications?** Several reports link the drop in Indian applications to tighter US visa policies and immigration rules. Some also mention visa uncertainty and questions over post-study work options. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/indian-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-14-15. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Indian applications to US colleges fall 14-15%", https://mediabias.news/business/indian-applications-to-us-colleges-fall-14-15