A recent report highlights a significant shift in the number of American college students identifying as transgender or non-binary. This decline marks a stark contrast to the previous trend that surged under the Biden-Harris administration. According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), the percentage of U.S. undergraduates claiming identities beyond male or female dropped dramatically from 6.8 percent in 2023 to just 3.6 percent in 2025. This nearly 50 percent decrease signals a potential turning point in the conversation surrounding gender identity.
The report, analyzed by the Centre for Heterodox Social Science, emphasizes the scale of this decline as “considerable,” even after accounting for variability. Notably, elite institutions are reporting even sharper drops. At Brown University, the proportion of students identifying as non-binary decreased from 5 percent to 2.6 percent over the same period. Meanwhile, Phillips Academy Andover saw similar results, with the non-binary identification rate plummeting from 7.4 percent to 3 percent.
This remarkable shift comes after years of what many critics deemed aggressive promotion of gender fluidity in schools and on social media. Following a pattern often labeled as social contagion, some argue that these identities were not necessarily genuine but rather influenced by peer pressure and trends. Indeed, a 2023 study revealed that over half of teen girls who identified as trans had friends who did the same, underscoring the impact of social dynamics on their decisions.
A notable aspect of this change is its correlation with improving mental health among students. As depression rates fell from 44 percent in 2022 to 38 percent in 2024, this decline in mental health issues may reflect a broader context for the shifting identifications. As students feel better, they may be rejecting the labels that had become trendy in recent years.
Further analysis reveals a “rise and fall” trend, returning the numbers to pre-surge baselines. Consider the data from the large FIRE samples, which represent around 55,000 to 69,000 students annually. These figures indicate a significant reversal in a relatively short timeframe.
On social media, reactions to this decline signal relief among some users, who celebrate the diminishing popularity of what they call a dangerous “fad.” Organizations like Moms for Liberty have noted that it’s “no longer trendy to be ‘trans,’” reflecting sentiments that the tide may be shifting against what they consider excessive promotion of non-traditional identities.
Overall, this decrease in the identification of transgender and non-binary students not only reflects changing societal attitudes but also indicates a potential reevaluation of the narratives pushed by media and educational institutions. As this data continues to surface, the implications for both students and society at large remain significant.
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