Why US colleges fear losing billions as Trump-era policies push international students toward Europe

US universities brace for losses as Europe attracts global talent and Trump policies deter students. (AI Image)

For decades, international studentshave been a vital part of the US higher education system, contributing not only to academic diversity but also to the country’s economy. In the 2023–24 academic year alone, foreign students brought in over $43 billion, according to data from NAFSA, the Association of International Educators.These students often pay full tuition, supporting budgets, research, and even enabling opportunities for US-born students.But that long-standing advantage is now under serious threat. A combination of strict immigration enforcement and sharp cuts to research funding, introduced during President Donald Trump’s second term, is causing growing concern among US college administrators. As reported by USA Today, many now fear a significant drop in international enrollment—one that could have financial and academic consequences across the country.Europe is stepping up its gameIn the first week of May 2025, a group of European Union leaders gathered at the Sorbonne in Paris to unveil a bold new initiative: a €500 million investment to attract global researchers and students. Dubbed “Choose Europe for Science,” the program positions Europe as a welcoming alternative for international talent.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used the moment to contrast Europe’s approach with that of the US. “The investment in fundamental, free and open research is questioned. What a gigantic miscalculation,” she said, referring to ongoing policy shifts in the US, as quoted by USA Today. She also emphasized that “science has no passport, no gender, no ethnicity or political party.”Trump-era policies add to the tensionAt the center of college leaders’ concerns are Trump-era immigration policies that have increasingly targeted international students. As reported by USA Today, in March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security began quietly removing the records of thousands of foreign students from the federal immigration database. Many of those terminations, it was later revealed, were based on minor infractions like unpaid parking tickets, after cross-referencing with a national criminal database.Ron Cushing, director of international services at the University of Cincinnati, described the aftermath as “chaos” and said that students were in shock and had to seek legal counsel immediately, as quoted by USA Today. Though many records were later restored following court rulings, the damage to trust was already done.The government’s actions also extended to elite institutions. In April, the Department of Homeland Security threatened to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, according to USA Today. “If that happened at Harvard, the consequences elsewhere would be devastating,” said Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools.Financial and academic impacts on US campusesInternational students make up only 6% of the US higher education population, yet their financial and academic contributions are disproportionately large. According to Clay Harmon of the Association of International Enrollment Management, one international student often brings in the equivalent financial benefit of three in-state students. This revenue helps support not only research but also teaching positions and full academic programs.In STEM graduate programs, the number of international students frequently exceeds domestic enrollment, according to the Council of Graduate Schools. These students not only fund their own studies but also often teach and assist, making it possible for programs to remain operational.A threat to global reputation and classroom diversityBeyond economics, the loss of international students could harm the academic culture of US campuses. Kevin Timlin, executive director of international education at Southeast Missouri State University, told USA Today that international students are “integral to what we do.” He noted that they bring essential perspectives to the classroom and foster cross-cultural understanding.“The bottom line is students have choices of where to go,” Ortega added, as quoted by USA Today. “And if they choose to go to other nations that appear to be more welcoming, those nations’ gains will be the US’s loss.”As the world’s best minds look elsewhere, US colleges fear that the combination of hostile immigration policies and dwindling research support may not only cost billions but also threaten the country’s standing as a global academic leader.