WMass higher ed sees decline in international students
SPRINGFIELD — Most of the colleges and universities in the Pioneer Valley report seeing a decline in the number of international students this year compared to the recent past.
The United States is seeing a decade-low in foreign student arrivals, excluding the pandemic.
The steep drop in international students nationwide — 19% — is attributed to the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and its attacks on international students at institutions such as Harvard University.
Greg Matthews, senior vice president of enrollment management and student life at Western New England University, said the national drop is happening in the Valley as well.
"Policies put in place (federally) have an impact on what we see here at WNE," he said.
August is typically when most international students arrive in the U.S. because their visas allow entry up to 30 days before their programs start.
This fall, Western New England welcomed 222 international students — a dip of 60 students from last year. The university has made "deliberate movements" to increase its international student population, said Matthews, whose department also focuses on recruitment.
In fall 2022, the university opened its campus to 108 international students. In 2023 and 2024, there were 241 international students and then 282, respectively.
"This (year's numbers are) what we perceive as delays in visa appointments," said Matthews. The school is working with students who weren't able to come to Western Massachusetts in August to join in January. "We encourage longer lead times for students who may face difficulty," he said.
Western New England's international students predominantly come from India, France, Canada, Ghana and Pakistan, Matthews said.
Senior Vice President for Enrollment Greg Matthews cooks culurgiones outside the Delbridge building at the Western New England University on Thursday. Oct. 16, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook
At Elms College in Chicopee, the international student population has remained "stable," a spokesperson for the private school said. While the college declined to share numbers of its international students, it said students this year arrived later than expected due to visa delays.
"Elms College worked hard to make sure they were supported even during times of waiting and uncertainty," the spokesperson said.
The college said it sees students from an array of countries, but the top countries are Tanzania, Vietnam, Canada, Jamaica, Spain and Ethiopia.
"Many international students select Elms due to the sense of community, access to faculty, and a safe environment," the spokesperson said.
In South Hadley, the international undergraduate student population at Mount Holyoke College saw a slight decline this year, according to data from the college.
In fall 2023, there were 493 international students who came, primarily, from China, Vietnam, India, Ghana and Bangladesh. The following year, there were 428 students.
This fall, the school attracted 422 international students. The majority of students came from China, Vietnam, Ghana, Japan and Bangladesh.
Mount Holyoke College's international student data does not include graduate students, as its graduate program focuses solely on educators and doesn't have international students, said Christian Feuerstein, spokesperson for the college.
Amherst College also saw a drop in its international students this fall, according to Carolyn McDaniel, the college's spokesperson. McDaniel did not respond to an emailed request asking if the numbers reflect only undergraduate students, or if it includes graduate students.
In 2022, there were 82 international students. That number rose to 89 students the following year; and 101 students last year. This fall, there was a sharp decline, with 84 international students.
McDaniel said the percentage of international students can fluctuate from year to year, depending upon the overall pool of applicants and available financial aid.
Unlike other schools in the Pioneer Valley with fewer international students, the University of Massachusetts Amherst has seen a slight increase in undergraduate students from abroad. The graduate student population has seen a decrease, however, according to data from the school. UMass Amherst is the largest school in the Pioneer Valley with over 31,000 students.
Between fall 2023 and fall this year, the international undergraduate student population at UMass Amherst has increased by about 57 students, going from 1,837 to 1,894 students.
On the other hand, its graduate student population decreased by more than 270 students in one academic year. In fall 2023, there were 2,656 foreign students. The following year, that number increased to 2,683. This year, the school enrolled 2,410 students, a 39% decline in new international graduate students.
"Rather than suspend doctoral admissions, as some universities did, UMass Amherst intentionally reduced doctoral admissions for Fall 2025 given the uncertainty of federal funding," a spokesperson for the university said. However, applications for doctoral degrees are up 9% from the previous year.
The most popular countries for undergraduate students to hail from are: India, China, Vietnam, South Korea and Pakistan. For graduate students: India, China, South Korea, Iran and Bangladesh.
"International students are key to the vitality of our campus, enrich our classrooms, campus culture and surrounding communities through their knowledge and perspectives from around the world," a spokesperson said. "They are also a key driver of talent in the research pipeline and have a positive economic impact on the region."
Brian Zhu, vice president of the United and Mutually Equal group at the Western New England University helps himself to food on Commonwealth Green. Oct. 16, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook
In the 2nd Congressional District, where UMass Amherst is located, international students contributed $413.5 million to the economy and supported 3,845 jobs, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education, the UMass Amherst spokesperson said.
Matthews, enrollment management at Western New England, said having students from other countries strengthens campus life.
"We can celebrate their holidays and events, learn about other cultures and eat great food," he said.
That translates to residential life, too, he said. "People can meet others and recognize similarities and understand fun differences. International students make our campus a greater and more vibrant community."
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