What the Latest Common App Data Means for International Students
Every August, the Common App publishes a report looking back at the application season that has just finished. It is one of the best snapshots we have of how students are applying to US colleges, and this year's report, covering students starting college in 2026, has some clear messages for anyone applying from outside the United States.
Whether you are a student beginning to think about applications or a parent supporting one, here is what stood out to me, and what it could mean for you.
The Headline Numbers
In the 2025-26 season:
1,527,328 students applied to college through the Common App, up 2% on the year before.
Together they submitted 10,786,782 applications, a record and an increase of 6%.
The average applicant applied to 7.06 colleges, up from 6.79.
1,146 colleges and universities accepted the Common App, up 4%.
The number of international applicants fell by 10%.
The 2025-26 Common App season at a glance
Over ten years, applications grew more than twice as fast as applicants
Growth from 2016-17 to 2025-26
Source: Common App End-of-Season Report 2025-26
Over the past decade, the total number of applications on the platform has risen by 154%, while the number of students applying has grown by 70%. In other words, the biggest change is not that more students are applying, but that each student is applying to more colleges.
1. Students Are Applying to More Colleges
When every applicant sends more applications, every college receives more of them. This is one reason acceptance rates at many selective colleges have fallen, even though the number of students applying has grown far more slowly.
Interestingly, applications to the most selective colleges (those admitting fewer than 25% of applicants) grew by just 3% this year, compared with 5 to 8% at other colleges. That does not mean these colleges have become easier to get into. Competition for places remains intense.
What this means for you: A longer list is not always a better list. A thoughtful, well-researched list of colleges that are a genuine fit, with a good balance of reach, target and likely options, works far better than simply applying to more places. Every application also needs time and care, so a focused list leads to strong applications rather than rushed ones.
2. Fewer International Students Applied
The number of international applicants fell by 10% this year, a sharper drop than the year before. Applicants from Asia, the largest group, fell by 11%, including a 15% drop from India. Applicants from Africa fell by 17%. Applicants from the Americas, by contrast, rose by 5%. Of the ten countries sending the most international applicants, only Kenya saw an increase.
Closer to home, here is how applicant numbers changed for the regions many of my students and families come from:
Europe, which includes Switzerland: 10,253 applicants, down 4%.
Oceania, which includes Australia and New Zealand: 922 applicants, down 1%.
China: 18,435 applicants, down 2%. China is still the largest source of international applicants, although numbers are well below the more than 30,000 who applied in 2017-18.
Students with more than one non-US citizenship: 8,173 applicants, unchanged. This group includes many internationally mobile families.
The report does not explore why, and it is too early to know how this will affect admissions decisions. Fewer international applicants does not automatically mean higher acceptance rates for international students, as each college makes its own choices about the shape of its class.
What this means for you: US colleges continue to value the perspectives international students bring. If the US is the right fit, these figures are no reason to hold back. As always, the strongest applications show clear academic preparation, genuine interests, and a thoughtful explanation of why each college is the right place.
3. Test Scores Are Back in Favour
For the first time since 2019-20, more Common App applicants reported a test score (SAT or ACT) than chose not to. The number of applicants sending scores rose by 11%, while the number applying without scores fell by 5%.
At the same time, only 5% of Common App colleges require a test score to apply. So most colleges remain test-optional, but more applicants are choosing to submit scores, and a number of highly selective colleges have returned to requiring them in recent years.
What this means for you: Plan for testing rather than assuming it can be skipped. Check each college's current policy, as these change, and build in time to prepare and, if needed, to test more than once. For international applicants, a strong SAT score can also help when applying to universities in other countries, such as the UK, alongside AP or IB results. You can read more about this in my IB vs AP comparison
4. More Public Universities Now Use the Common App
The number of public universities on the Common App grew by 10% this year, to 363, and applications to public universities rose faster than to private ones (7% compared with 5%). Public flagship universities from 48 states now accept the Common App, up from 21 a decade ago.
What this means for you: It is now easier than ever to include excellent public universities alongside private colleges on one platform. Many offer outstanding programs and honors colleges. Do keep costs in mind, though. International students usually pay out-of-state tuition at public universities, and need-based financial aid for international students is often limited, so it is worth checking each university's policy early as a family.
Your Checklist
Build a balanced, well-researched list rather than a long one.
Start early. Applications open on August 1 each year, and strong applications take time. Read more in my post What Is the Common App Rollover and Why Does August 1 Matter?
Plan your testing and check each college's current policy.
Show depth in your activities. With so many strong applicants, a clear and meaningful extracurricular profile helps you stand out. See Why Extracurricular Activities Are Crucial for US College Applications.
Talk about costs and financial aid early, as a family, especially for public universities.
Final Thoughts
The latest Common App data shows a busy, competitive and changing landscape. Students are applying to more colleges than ever, fewer international students are applying, and test scores are once again playing a bigger role. None of this changes the fundamentals, though: the applicants who do best are those who start early, choose their colleges thoughtfully, and present a genuine picture of who they are.
Whether you are a student planning your applications or a parent supporting your child, I would love to help you make sense of the US application process, from building a balanced college list to planning testing and applications. Get in touch to arrange a free 30-minute consultation.