By Claire Moraa
- At least 20% of enrolment in U.S. colleges are foreign students
- Private colleges depend largely on foreign students for tuition fees
Institutions that heavily rely on international students for enrolment have found themselves at a crossroads with recent policy changes in the Trump administration. From visa denials, immigration policy changes and anti-DEI policies, the foreign student population is at a risk of being phased out. This is because a significant portion of these institutions’ revenue depends on international students.
Why This Matters: The vulnerability of colleges with significant foreign student populations has come to the fore as smaller, lesser-known institutions that attract students from abroad brace themselves for an uncertain future amid changing political landscapes and immigration policies. While large renown colleges may be able to withstand the tide, smaller and lesser known colleges may experience a sharp decline in foreign applicants. This could mean shrinking enrolment, forcing budget cuts, staff layoffs, or even closure of some colleges. Private colleges already discount their tuition fees by up to 52% and depend on the foreign students to pay full tuition fees so if foreign enrolment is their survival strategy, they are at the brink of closures.
And its not just the financial health of these colleges that is at risk, a sharp decrease in the presence of international students could significantly impact the cultural and academic diversity of U.S. colleges. International perspectives, cross-cultural interactions, and global perspectives would be diminished, potentially affecting the richness of the educational experience for all students. International student diversity is already low; 1.3% especially in the top-tier institutions so this would be a big blow to these institutions.
Situational Awareness: If the bubble bursts, higher education enters a long-overdue reckoning. Institutions will need to become more mission-focused and less enrolment-driven. Perhaps they need to rebuild business models and redefine their value to domestic students.
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