中国出国留学人数持续下滑。[1] 根据最新数据，中国留学生人数从2019年的70万人降至2025年的57万人，创2016年以来的最低水平。[1] 与此同时，学成后选择回国的比例大幅攀升至94%的历史新高。[1]
这一趋势反映出海外教育吸引力的衰减。[1] 海外文凭曾具有的稀缺性逐渐消失，海归与中国本土毕业生的起薪差距已十分有限，这成为学生重新评估留学价值的关键因素。[1] 有学生投入超过200万元人民币完成海外学业，但回国后月薪仅4000元，高投入与低回报的反差凸显了留学成本与收益的失衡。[1]
地缘政治风险也对留学决策产生影响。[1] 川普政府在2025年宣布将"大力撤销"在部分关键领域就读的中国学生签证，美国也调整了H-1B工作签证制度，使新毕业且薪资较低的外籍工作者处于相对不利位置。[1] 与此同时，中国本土大学的竞争力不断提升，为学生提供了更有吸引力的国内选择。[1]
The number of Chinese students studying abroad has declined significantly, falling from 700,000 in 2019 to 570,000 in 2025, marking the lowest figure in nine years [1]. Concurrently, the proportion of graduates returning to China after completing their studies has risen to 94%, a historic high [1].
According to British media analysis, this shift stems from three primary factors [1]. First, overseas degrees no longer ensure lucrative employment prospects, as the competitive advantage they once held has eroded [1]. The salary gap between returnees with foreign qualifications and domestic graduates has narrowed considerably [1]. One young woman who invested over 2 million yuan in overseas education found herself earning only 4,000 yuan monthly upon graduation [1]. Second, geopolitical tensions have intensified, with the Trump administration announcing in 2025 that it would "aggressively revoke" student visas for Chinese nationals pursuing studies in certain critical fields [1]. Third, Chinese universities have strengthened their competitive position, making domestic higher education increasingly attractive [1].
Changes to the U.S. H-1B work visa system have placed recently graduated foreign workers with lower salaries at a relative disadvantage [1], further diminishing the incentive for Chinese students to pursue education abroad.