New Delhi: College campuses across the United States (US), from Ghana to India to China, are bustling with students from all over the globe. They not only bring diversity but also significant financial contributions.
At Akhil Daswani’s study abroad consultancy in Mumbai, there’s a noticeable trend: students are expanding their college application lists to include more countries. “This year, only 20 percent have applied solely to US colleges,” he shared with ThePrint.
However, the Trump administration’s recent move to halt new visa interviews for international students could have serious repercussions for American universities and graduate programs, many of which rely heavily on the revenue generated from foreign students. As a result, students are now exploring educational opportunities in other countries.
“There’s a culture of fear that’s been fostered, leading students to seek education elsewhere,” explained Akhil Daswani, co-founder of Oncourse Vantage Private Limited, a Mumbai-based admissions consulting firm. “The long-term effects on both the economy and universities are far more significant than the US administration seems to realize.”
A report from The New York Times highlights that 1.1 million international students contributed around $43 billion to the US economy in the 2023-2024 academic year. Now, some of that spending might be redirected to other nations.
“Take the University of Pennsylvania, which welcomes a class of about 2,500 students each year. Roughly 10 percent of that class consists of international students,” noted Viral Doshi, a Mumbai-based admissions consultant, emphasizing that international students are essential to any college’s success.
“If each of those students is shelling out $100,000 annually for their education, the university stands to lose $25 million in revenue. Their financial model could face serious challenges if international students stop enrolling.”
At the University of California, Berkeley, in-state students—those who live in California—are charged $10,500 per semester, according to the university’s fee schedule for the 2024-25 academic year. In contrast, non-residents, including international students, pay $27,650, which is almost three times more.
While Berkeley treats foreign nationals and out-of-state residents the same, many universities have distinct fee structures for residents, non-residents, and international students.
Take Arizona State University, for example. They charge residents $6,500 per semester, which is a stark contrast to the hefty $19,178 they ask from foreign students. Non-residents are looking at a fee of $17,584. In the 2023-2024 academic year, international students made up about 4.5 percent of the total student body.
“At the undergraduate level, you usually see around 10-15 percent of students coming from abroad,” Daswani noted, pointing out that the longer duration of courses can make it tough for families to manage the costs. “When it comes to postgraduate studies, that number jumps to 25-30 percent.”
He elaborated that the wide range of courses available—from management to data science—along with various scholarships and financial aid options, attracts a significant number of international students to US postgraduate programs.
Doshi emphasized that while science and technology courses receive government funding, professional degrees like law, architecture, and business management heavily depend on the financial contributions of foreign students.
Postgraduate institutions are well aware of this opportunity, and it shows in their marketing strategies, according to Daswani. Many prestigious universities might not focus on marketing their undergraduate programs but actively seek out graduate candidates in other countries.
“At some point, the US administration will realize that this isn’t a wise move for the economy,” said a Chicago-based student admissions liaison officer, who preferred to remain anonymous. “Foreign students contribute not just through tuition but also in housing, food, and entertainment. Universities are already starting to push back.”
‘Will send my kid to the UK’
At Daswani’s consulting firm, there’s a noticeable trend of students expanding their college application lists to include more countries. Every year, Oncourse helps around 1,000 students, and typically, about 50-60 percent of them would apply only to colleges in the US.
However, this year, that number has dropped to just 20 percent. While students are still applying to US schools, they’re also considering options in other countries,” he explained, noting that this shift isn’t just a recent development or solely due to interview suspensions.
Factors like the high cost of education, the long distance from India, and last year’s protests have significantly influenced this change. Parents are understandably hesitant to take risks.
“Now, even families who can afford a US education are thinking, ‘I’d rather send my child to the UK and have peace of mind.’”
Doshi mentioned that students who already have interviews lined up won’t be impacted by the US’s pause on worldwide student visas. However, the Trump administration is likely to face considerable pressure since this decision affects universities nationwide, not just prestigious ones like Harvard and Columbia.
“We need to remember that students are guests in America. They have to adhere to the rules and regulations,” he added.
Daswani is taking a practical approach with his clients. He’s been encouraging his students to keep all their options open. Still, he believes the US is the premier destination for education.
“Most of what’s happened can be reversed. I genuinely think the US offers the best education available,” he stated. “If you look at the top 100 universities, 80 of them are in the US. No matter how you slice it, you can’t just create a university overnight.”
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