In a few
more weeks, U.S. colleges and universities will learn which recent report is
the most accurate in predicting whether international students will still
enroll in American schools this fall. Some institutions’ budgets depend on the
full tuition these students typically pay.
As a report in The Chronicle of Higher Education
noted, three different studies drew somewhat different conclusions about the
intentions of foreign students this year. While one study estimated foreign
enrollment might even exceed original projections, two others saw signs of an
impending drop in international students.
The
uncertainty over the proposed travel ban is expected to have an impact, but The Chronicle noted some institutions
“adjusted their recruitment and admissions strategies in order to head off
potential declines.” As a result, these schools received a positive response
from foreign students and anticipated relatively normal enrollment.
However,
two groups of overseas students might be more likely to stay away from American
colleges and universities. Students from India, which make up 15% of foreign
enrollment in the U.S., are showing increased interest in Canadian schools and
fewer are requesting information about U.S. institutions.
The other
group are master’s degree students. Unlike students in bachelor or doctoral
programs, “students who pursue a master’s … often are taking time out of
careers to earn an advanced career,” said The
Chronicle. “Delaying a year while the travel-ban dust settles may be the
easiest for this group.”