Loss of international students may hit local economies through reduced spending on living costs, housing, groceries, and related services.

Policy proposals could restrict visas to four years, which would pose problems for longer programs like five-year PhD tracks and risk interrupting students’ residency permissions.

A broad share of U.S. colleges report declines in new international student enrollments for the current fall, with 57% of more than 825 institutions signaling a drop, 29% showing increases, and 14% remaining stable.

The economic ripple extends beyond campuses, potentially slowing local economies where universities are major employers and drivers of consumer activity.

Experts warn the U.S. could lose its edge in attracting global talent if policies don’t adjust, noting international students contribute about $42.9 billion annually and support more than 355,000 jobs.

NAFSA estimates a sizable economic impact: roughly $1.1 billion loss to the U.S. economy from reduced international student presence, alongside the $43 billion contributed and hundreds of thousands of jobs supported in 2024-25.

International students contribute beyond tuition by bolstering housing, health insurance, and local services, with about one U.S. job created or supported for every three international students.

AP Localize It provides reporters with state-by-state data and campus-specific guidance on enrollment figures, country origins, visa disruptions, deferrals, and student perspectives.

The declines come amid a policy climate that has included visa delays and caps on foreign enrollment, fueled by a crackdown that created uncertainty for prospective students from key sources like India.

Universities are responding with deferrals or deferrals until spring 2026 to accommodate affected students, while other countries such as Germany and Canada are intensifying recruitment to attract students who might reconsider studying in the U.S.

Data show about 1.1 million international students contributed $43.8 billion and supported more than 378,000 jobs in the 2023-2024 academic year, with broader state-level figures illustrating the scale.

Some campuses have resisted or rejected compact terms; for example, the University of Southern California declined a proposal after political pressure over state funding.