Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has seen an enrollment spike this past year with a 3.5% overall increase. 

Despite this growth in enrollment, the international student population at the university has decreased this fall compared to fall of 2024.

According to university data, 896 international students were enrolled last fall, with a total university enrollment of 19,703. 

This year, the international student enrollment number has dropped to 590, with a total university enrollment of 20,383 students. This is a 34.2% decrease overall. 

According to BG Independent, BGSU has seen one of the largest decreases in international student enrollment compared to some of Ohio’s public universities, alongside Cleveland State University, with a 34% decrease, and Miami University with a 22% decrease. 

Manager of Media Relations Michael Bratton said international student enrollment at BGSU accounts for 3% to 5% of overall enrollment and varies by year.

This decrease in international student enrollment follows the passing of Senate Bill One (SB1), which was put into effect this past June, and puts limits on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Ohio’s public universities.

According to past BG Falcon Media reporting, recent legislation could affect foreigners in both the U.S. and BGSU with SB1, an executive order that restricts people coming to the U.S from different countries and HR1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which provides more funding for U.S immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Past reporting also states that international students can feel the impact of recent legislation, as about 80,000 non-immigrant visas have been revoked since Jan. 20, according to Reuters. 

In response to the drop in international student enrollment, the university says, “As a comprehensive university, Bowling Green State University values a global perspective in fostering a robust learning community, bringing together people from across the state, nation and world to Bowling Green. While, traditionally, we have not been a university with a large international student population, and our enrollment growth has been largely driven by a domestic student population, we continuously evaluate our work in strengthening and evolving pathways for students from around the world to attend Bowling Green.”