COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University reached a record overall enrollment at its Columbus campus for the fall 2026 semester, but the university is reporting its lowest number of international students in 16 years.

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Across all campuses, the university registered 68,183 total students, with the Columbus, Ohio campus setting a new record at 62,010. However, the international student population dropped 12.7% to 5,234 students. That figure represents the lowest international enrollment at the institution since 2010, falling below levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

First-year international enrollment decreased by 30% compared to last year, marking the second straight year of significant decline and the lowest freshman international intake in at least 10 years. Enrollment among students from China, who historically make up nearly half of the university’s foreign student population, fell by more than 20% between 2025 and 2026.

The decline follows federal immigration policy shifts under President Donald Trump in early 2025, which included visa crackdowns, alongside state legislation banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives on college campuses.

Ohio State University President Ravi Bellamkonda expressed concern over the shrinking international student body. Bellamkonda previously emphasized the value of global perspectives on campus, noting that many students do not have opportunities to travel to regions like South Africa and benefit from exposure to diverse cultures and viewpoints.

The decrease at the university reflects broader statewide and national trends. According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, foreign students contribute $1.3 billion to Ohio’s economy and support more than 39,000 jobs annually. Nationally, the Association of American Universities estimates a reduction of 112,000 international students this year, which could cost the U.S. economy $3.4 billion and roughly 40,000 jobs.

Despite the drop in foreign enrollment, Ohio State University’s total incoming freshman class grew to 8,585 students, an increase of 375 compared to fall 2025. Ohio residents make up 70% of the new class, bringing the total number of undergraduate state residents enrolled to 41,203.

Source: NBC4 Columbus — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Ohio State: Ardayda Caalamiga ah oo Gaartay Heeradii Ugu Hooseysay 16 Sano

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jaamacadda Ohio State University ayaa diiwaangelisay tiradii ugu hooseysay ee ardayda caalamiga ah muddo 16 sano ah semestar-ka xagaaga ee sannadka 2026, iyadoo taasi ay ku soo beegantay xilli xarunta ugu weyn ee jaamacadda oo ku taalla magaalada Columbus ay dhigtay rikoor cusub oo dhanka tirada guud ee ardayda ah.

Tirada guud ee ardayda ka barata dhammaan xarmaha jaamacadda ayaa gaartay 68,183 arday, iyadoo xarunta magaalada Columbus oo kaliya ay ku diiwaangashan yihiin 62,010 arday. Sidaas oo ay tahay, tirada ardayda caalamiga ah ayaa hoos u dhacday 12.7% iyada oo taagand 5,234 arday. Tiradan ayaa ah tii ugu hooseysay tan iyo sannadkii 2010, waxayna ka hooseysaa xitaa heerarkii la arkay xilligii xanuunka COVID-19.

Diiwaangelinta ardayda cusub ee sannadka koowaad ee caalamiga ah ayaa hoos u dhacday 30%, waana tiradii ugu hooseysay ee arday cusub oo ajnabi ah la diiwaangeliyo muddo ugu sarreysa 10 sano. Sidoo kale, tirada ardayda ka timid dalka China, oo sida caadiga ah ka ah ku dhowaad helkeed dhammaan ardayda ajaanibta ah ee jaamacadda, ayaa hoos u dhacday wax ka badan 20% u dhexeysey sannadaha 2025 iyo 2026.

Hoos u dhacan ayaa ku soo beegmay ka dib markii uu Madaxweynaha Mareykanka Donald Trump billaabay adkaynta shuruudaha fiisaha iyo socdaalka ee ardayda ajnabiga ah ee billowgii 2025. Waxa kale oo barbar socday sharci cusub oo heer gobol ah oo lagu mamnuucay barnaamijyada kala duwanaanshaha, sinnaanta iyo ka-qaybgalka (DEI) ee xarmaha jaamacadaha gobolka Ohio.

Madaxweynaha Jaamacadda Ohio State University, Ravi Bellamkonda, ayaa muujiyay walaac ku saabsan hoos u dhaca ku yimid ardayda caalamiga ah. Bellamkonda, oo markii hore Mareykanka ku yimid arday caalami ah, ayaa xusay bishii May in arday badan oo Mareykan ah aysan helin fursad ay ku safraan Koonfur Afrika ama qaybo kale oo dunida ah, wuxuuna tilmaamay inuu rabo inay helaan fursad ay ku bartaan dhaqamada iyo fikirrada cusub ee ay ardayda caalamiga ahi keenaan.

Hoos u dhacan ka jira Ohio State University ayaa qayb ka ah hoos u dhac ka jira guud ahaan dalka. Hay’adda NAFSA: Association of International Educators ayaa sheegtay in ardayda caalamiga ah ay ku biiriyaan dhaqaalaha gobolka Ohio $1.3 billion, iyagoo taageera ku dhowaad 39,000 oo shaqo sannad walba. Sidoo kale, ururka Association of American Universities ayaa ku sheegay inay sannadkan xarmaha jaamacadaha Mareykanka ka dhiman doonaan 112,000 oo arday oo caalami ah, taas oo dhaqaalaha dalka ku baabi’in karta $3.4 billion oo dakhli ah iyo ku dhowaad 40,000 oo shaqo.

Inkastoo tirada ardayda caalamiga ah ay hoos u dhacday, tirada guud ee ardayda sannadka koowaad ee kusoo biirtay Ohio State University ayaa gaartay 8,585 arday, taas oo ka badan 375 arday marka loo barbardhigo sannadkii 2025. Maamulka jaamacadda ayaa sheegay in 70% ardayda cusub ay yihiin dadka degan gobolka Ohio, iyadoo tirada guud ee ardayda reer Ohio ee dhigata shahaadada koowaad ay tahay 41,203 arday.

Xigasho: NBC4 Columbus