For the first time in five years, the University of Idaho is facing an enrollment decline in both domestic students and international students.
Dean Kahler, vice provost for Strategic Enrollment Management, discussed some of the solutions that the university has put in place to combat the declining enrollment rate in an interview with the Argonaut. Leading this initiative is the changing of the testing requirements.
Kahler said that this change was based around the question that all universities face, “What is the best indicator that a student is going to be successful with us?”
Overall enrollment dropped by 0.9% in Fall 2026, from 12,383 students in Fall 2025 to 12,275 students in Fall 2026.
“The university feels confident that anyone with a 2.6 or above would be successful at the university,” Kahler said. They have found, along with several other universities across the United States, that ACT and SAT scores are not the best indicator of student success. The university is joining the rest of Idaho, and the other 86% of colleges in the US that are test optional.
UI is now a test optional school for anyone above a 2.6 GPA. If a person has over a 2.6 unweighted GPA, then they are automatically admitted. This has been lowered as previously applicants had to have a 3.0 to be automatically admitted. Individuals who have below a 2.6 GPA will still be required to submit SAT, ACT or ISAT scores and will be admitted into the Vandal Gateway program. This program is designed to usher first year students into college and provide extra support.
The enrollment rate for international students has dropped significantly, by 21.6%, from 421 to 330. Two years ago, the university had 200 new international freshmen, while this year they only had 39. More and more people are feeling “afraid to come to the United States [and] feeling unwelcome,” Kahler said. Additionally, many other people have been unable to get Visas. He explained that “all of these things could potentially impact the market.” Kahler spent some time in Vietnam three weeks ago talking to high school students and assuring them “that it is safe and they are welcome here, and that we are still admitting students and helping them navigate the process.”
With low numbers of international students, domestic students are getting the “short end of the stick,” because they are unable to “study with people from other countries and learn about the different cultures … and that is an important part of education” and “going to a college campus gives people exposure to learn from 70 other countries”.
Kahler also said “it is important to realize that international students pay a premium price for tuition which helps offset our domestic students and Idaho students.” He acknowledged that “it is not all about revenue, but it is still an important part.”
Olivia Maggs can be reached at [email protected]