Here are some key takeaways:
1. International Student Enrollment Remains Steady
Despite concerns about visa restrictions and political pressures, both universities have maintained strong numbers of incoming international students. In fact, Princeton saw an increase, and Columbia’s figures held steady compared to previous years.
2. Decline in Black Student Enrollment
The impact of the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling banning race-conscious admissions continues to be evident:
- Columbia: Black enrollment hasn’t rebounded and remains lower than before the ruling.
- Princeton: Black student representation, which had previously held steady, dropped noticeably this year.
3. Asian Enrollment and Data Reporting Trends
The article also touches on demographic shifts and reporting nuances:
- Asian American enrollment has reportedly increased, though details and exact figures aren’t specified.
- A growing number of students are choosing not to disclose their race, hinting at evolving attitudes towards demographic data collection.
Broader Implications
- Legal and Policy Pressures: The fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision banning affirmative action continues to reshape the demographic makeup of elite university classes.
- Institutional Responses: While international enrollment remains resilient, the decline in Black student representation highlights the limitations of current admissions models.
- Transparency and Strategy: These enrollment trends underscore the challenge elite universities face in balancing legal constraints, demographic diversity, and institutional priorities moving forward.
The data was originally published in The New York Times, but I do not have a gift link, so the article is paywalled: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/us/international-students-race-affirmative-action-princeton-columbia.html
