UW International Enrollment Hits Decade Low

The University of Washington's international student count fell for a second straight year, while overall first-year and transfer enrollment rose.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in College Applications

Tree-lined walkway on a Pacific Northwest campus with tall evergreens and a brick academic building in soft overcast light. — The University of Washington's international student enrollment fell to 6,951 this year, down nearly 7% from last year and more than 15% below its 2022-23 peak. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The University of Washington had 6,951 international students this year, down from 7,439 last year, a decline of close to 7%. Total first-year and transfer enrollment across its three campuses rose 3.5% to 12,552 students.

Why it matters

The UW figure is more than 15% below its 2022-23 peak and the lowest total since at least 2017, reflecting a national decline in international students over the past two years. For Seattle-area families and applicants, the shift shows how federal policy is reshaping who enrolls at the city's largest public university.

The UW report counts 6,951 international students this year, down from 7,439, while Washington posted the nation's largest percentage drop of close to 16% between 2025 and 2026. Almost half of UW's international students are from China, and international undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 is about $61,000.

The players

University of Washington

A public research university whose Seattle campus, along with its Tacoma and Bothell campuses, serves as the state's largest public university and enrolls thousands of international students.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who announced plans in 2025 to aggressively revoke student visas for Chinese students.

The details

The UW released its international enrollment report on Tuesday, showing the decline alongside growth in domestic first-year and transfer students. Washingtonians made up three-quarters of incoming students, and nearly 40% of incoming students are first-generation college students.

2022-23 academic year: UW international attendance reached its peak.
2025: Secretary of State Rubio announced plans to aggressively revoke Chinese student visas.
2025 to 2026: Washington's international student decline measured at close to 16%.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: UW released its international enrollment report.

Travel Outlook

The UW decline follows Trump administration policies that revoked student visas and cut federal research funding, which have driven international enrollment losses nationwide. Washington's close-to-16% drop, the largest in the country, places the state at the center of that trend.

Seattle families weighing UW applications face a campus where the international student share is shrinking and incoming classes are increasingly Washington residents. Prospective students should expect the mix of classmates to reflect this shift in the coming admissions cycles.

The takeaway

Applicants to the University of Washington should weigh how a smaller international cohort and a larger in-state share may shape campus life and course access. Checking the university's enrollment reports each year can help families track these changes.