Financial Strains on Vulnerable Institutions
A sharp decline in international student enrollment has unsettled colleges nationwide, with small schools most at risk. Institutions like the University of Central Missouri, which generates nearly a quarter of its tuition revenue from foreign students, are facing serious financial pressures. The school’s modest $65 million endowment leaves little cushion against the loss, forcing cutbacks to raises, infrastructure, and other spending.
Broader National Impact
An Associated Press analysis reveals that more than 100 colleges with limited endowments rely on international students for at least 20% of their enrollment. Some are small Christian schools, while others are major universities, such as Northeastern and Carnegie Mellon. Forecasts predict enrollment declines of up to 40%, with ripple effects on both college budgets and the U.S. economy.
Policy Changes Add Uncertainty
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have intensified colleges’ worries. Visa delays, social media vetting, and a proposed Department of Homeland Security rule limiting the duration of student stays have discouraged applicants. Moves to deport foreign students who are active in political causes have also contributed to instability. Supporters of these policies argue that they protect national security, while critics contend that they destabilize higher education finances and tarnish the U.S. as a study destination.
Students Confront Travel Barriers
International students themselves have faced setbacks. Ahmed Ahmed, a Sudanese freshman at the University of Rochester, nearly missed his first semester due to a travel ban. Although he eventually arrived with university support, he admitted that many of his peers may avoid the U.S. altogether to escape such risks.
Smaller Colleges Feel the Hardest Hit
Private and faith-based schools, often with fewer than 5,000 students, have limited room to absorb lost tuition. Lee University in Tennessee anticipates a 40% decline in international student enrollment this fall. Already raising tuition by 20% in five years, the school remains heavily dependent on student payments. Experts warn that shrinking U.S. high school graduation rates, combined with reduced foreign enrollment, could lead to the acceleration of closures of financially fragile colleges.
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Colleges face financial struggles as Trump policies send international enrollment plunging
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