Arizona could lose $80M as international student enrollment falls

The declines come after President Donald Trump intensified student visa regulations and stopped new visas from being granted in dozens of countries. The number of international students studying in Arizona declined by several thousand this year. As a result, Arizona could see more than $80 million in revenue losses, according to a recent analysis.

Arizona State University, home to a significant international student population, estimates a roughly 3,000-student decline in international students when comparing this fall's projections with last year. The university still expects to welcome 11,500 international students this semester, hailing from 174 countries.

The University of Arizona projected a more than 5% drop based on budget reports over the summer. Northern Arizona University, which has a much smaller international student community, expects a roughly 45% drop.

An analysis released this month by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International showed that the U.S. could see 111,000 fewer international students this year, costing the country billions in lost revenue. That funding would have come from tuition dollars and all the money international students spend while living in the U.S., like rent, food and other living expenses.

The groups estimate that Arizona could lose as much as $80.8 million this school year.

The decline is driven by several factors, NAFSA Executive Director Fanta Aw said. More students are getting stuck or turned away in the visa application process than ever before. Delays for visa appointments have impacted students from some of the most popular home countries, such as India and China.

"So if they're having problems getting visas, in addition to the numbers already having dropped, you know that that is a perfect storm," Aw said.

To help students facing issues getting approved, ASU is offering options to enroll online or through partner universities across the globe. A new alternative this year will be ASU London, which opens in September.

There were also a substantial number of students opting not to apply to American universities at all after widespread visa terminations affected thousands of students last year. Instead, students from abroad are choosing schools in Germany, South Korea, Japan and other locations across the globe.

International submissions in the U.S. fell 9% for the current school year, according to the Common App, a widely used university application system. As a result, the U.S. is losing both talented students and researchers, Aw said.

"The U.S. cannot afford to stand apart from the world, not given how connected our economies are," she said.

Other candidates are unable to apply after an executive order signed by Trump in December 2025 restricted student visas in dozens of countries. Some blocked countries, like Iran and Nigeria, were previously sending thousands of students to the U.S.

Outside of the economic impact, academic leaders have pointed to the societal impact international students have on their local communities. Aw questioned the goals of the federal government when it began its crackdown on international students. At the time, leaders said the changes were needed to keep American universities secure and to protect American interests and families.

Aw said she isn't convinced any of the reforms will achieve that, arguing a lack of international talent will set the U.S back entrepreneurially and hurt its global reputation.

"How do you make America stronger, more prosperous, more secure when you're jeopardizing some of your important assets in doing so?" she said.