U.S. Significantly Undercounted International Student Population by Over 200,000

WASHINGTON, DC — July 12, 2025 A major revision to federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data revealed that the U.S. government underreported its international student population by more than 200,000 individuals during the 2023–24 academic year. Originally, the data appeared to show an 11% decline in enrollment between March 2024 and March 2025—but after correction, figures display steady growth of 6.5% from September 2023 to September 2024, reaching a record 1.3 million students.

Boston College professor Chris Glass first flagged the discrepancy, noting a flattened year‑long plateau in SEVIS counts and identifying the undercount beginning in August 2024. The error was corrected in early July when the Department of Homeland Security cleaned up the SEVIS public database. Although underlying visa records weren't lost, the glitch misrepresented enrollment trends for nearly nine months.

Experts warn the correction has major implications: universities and policymakers rely on SEVIS for planning, funding, and resource allocation, and the flawed data could have led to budget and staffing missteps . The numbers also highlighted a shift in student origin, with India surpassing China by approximately 143,000 students.

However, caution remains for the near future. Though enrollment surged last year, recent declines in visa issuances—down 22% in May compared to 2024—and new visa restrictions suggest that international student numbers may fall this fall, with projections indicating a possible 7–11% decrease. Observers call for enhanced transparency in SEVIS reporting and stronger controls to prevent recurrence.

Overall, this episode underscores both the strength of U.S. appeal in international education and the critical need for reliable government data in shaping national strategy.

*Sources: *https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/federal-government-undercounted-international-students-200000