Category: Education

On October 23, Harvard University released data on its Class of 2029 (students enrolling in Fall 2025), showing that Asian Americans now account for 41% of the incoming class, up four percentage points from 37% in the Class of 2028. This change comes after the U.S. Supreme Court banned the use of race-conscious affirmative action (AA) in college admissions in 2023, prompting Harvard to adopt a “race-blind” admissions policy.

Elite research institutions such as Harvard University and MIT, benefiting from brand recognition and resource advantages, saw international student enrollment rise by about 10%, with Chinese students still accounting for a significant portion. However, small- and mid-sized regional universities and state schools in the Midwest face enrollment pressures, with international student numbers declining by an average of 15% to 30%. This concentration of educational resources toward a few elite institutions may further weaken the competitiveness of smaller universities.

79% of Americans believe admitting international students benefits both academia and the economy—a figure that has remained stable since 2021. However, when the question turns specifically to Chinese students, public opinion is sharply divided: 50% of respondents support restrictions, while 47% oppose them, making the issue a focal point of debate.