US universities have faced serious financial difficulties amid a decrease in the number of foreign students.
Modern.az reports that, according to “The Washington Post”, this situation is linked to the tightening of immigration policy in the US, which is said to have been implemented by the Donald Trump administration.
According to federal statistics, in April–May 2026, the number of foreign students in US universities decreased by 8 percent compared to the same period last year. Although foreign students make up approximately 6 percent of the total student population, they provide more than 12 percent of universities' total revenue due to higher tuition fees.
According to Dick Stars, a professor of economics at the University of California, the decrease in foreign students creates a serious budget deficit for universities. In his opinion, this situation will lead to either an increase in tuition fees or a reduction in expenses.
The most significant impact has been recorded in universities where the share of foreign students rises to 30 percent. For example, the University of North Texas lost approximately 2,800 foreign students in one year. This resulted in a loss of approximately $45 million in revenue, leading to the decision to close 71 academic programs.
