Colleges Struggle Financially as Trump Policies Slash International Enrollments

Rapid Summary

• The University of Central Missouri reported challenges in securing visas for international students, leading to a important drop in enrollment. Half as many new international graduate students enrolled this fall compared to last year.
• International students typically account for nearly 25% of Central Missouri’s tuition revenue, making the decline financially impactful.
• Colleges with small endowments and high numbers of international students face financial instability, with more than 100 institutions having at least 20% foreign student enrollment.
• U.S. colleges are distressed by Trump-era policies targeting international students, including visa restrictions and increased vetting.
• A travel ban on 12 countries further complicates visa processes-such as the case of Ahmed Ahmed from Sudan-though exceptions exist for pre-issued visas.
• Effects include cost-cutting moves like reduced raises and infrastructure delays at Central Missouri and tuition hikes at smaller schools like Lee University in Tennessee.
• Projections indicate declining domestic high school graduates through 2041, adding pressure on colleges that traditionally rely on foreign student enrollment.

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