University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Sees High International Student Enrollment, Defying National Trends

CHICAGO (WLS) — A new study suggests that the decline in international college students in the U.S. may result in a $7 billion economic loss. The study attributes this decrease to visa restrictions and lengthy appointment wait times discouraging foreign students from coming.

But it’s a banner year at Illinois’ namesake university in Urbana-Champaign, and the school’s campus in the city of Chicago.

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The university’s high enrollment of international students is at odds with a new study forecasting a grim outlook for the U.S. economy.

At Illinois’ largest universities, the campuses are bustling with unprecedented student numbers, with more than 60,000 enrolled at the University of Illinois’ main campus in Urbana-Champaign.

This fall, UIUC welcomed over 9,200 first-year students, setting a new record surpassing 2024’s incoming class. Approximately half of these, 5,400 freshmen, contribute to University of Illinois Chicago’s largest freshman class to date.

At U of I, there’s a real home-grown allure for 72% of its new students.

“The Illinois story is that more students, from more regions and diverse areas within the state, are opting for our campus and choosing to stay in-state for their college education,” explained Sara MacKenzie, the executive director of Undergraduate Admissions at UIUC, in a discussion with the I-Team.

The university has historically hosted a substantial international student group. UIUC reports 1,410 freshmen from 62 countries, an increase from last year’s 1,233 international students originating from 48 countries. This statistic is significant amid the Trump administration’s increased grounds for student visa revocations.

“I believe this reflects a longstanding tradition of students having positive experiences here and sharing those with peers back home. Remarkably, Canada entered our top five countries for the first time in memory,” noted MacKenzie.

But UIUC’s statistics appear to be unique.

UIC’s total international student enrollment dropped by nearly 5% this fall from 2024. While more undergraduate international students arrived, there were just 16 more than 2024. The drop of international students was most pronounced in graduate studies.

At Lewis University in suburban Romeoville, the drop-off of international enrollment was even more glaring: a 37% decrease this year compared to last.

Some of what could be driving this decline is the State Department paused student visa interviews from May 27-June 18 and then resumed them with strict mandates for social media vetting.

A new study out from the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors, or NAFSA, says a 30-40% drop off of international students nationwide could cost the U.S. economy 60,000 jobs, and $7 billion in lost revenue.