International students at Texas universities face potential loss, coupled with a significant financial impact of millions of dollars on the educational institutions.
The upcoming academic year is shaping up to be a challenging one for North Texas public universities, with a significant drop in international student enrollment projected due to recent state and federal policy changes.
The University of North Texas (UNT) anticipates a loss of about $47.3 to $50 million in revenue due to decreased international enrollment. They expect a 25-40% drop in the fall 2025 term and 1,300 fewer graduate international students already[1][2].
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) expects a 40% reduction in international students, leading to an expected tuition revenue decline of $13 to $15.6 million for the fiscal year 2026[2][5].
Collectively, North Texas public universities, including UNT, UTA, and the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), face a substantial financial shortfall.
The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) estimates that Texas could lose about 15% of international students, from roughly 94,000 to 80,000. This could result in a $388 million decline in economic contribution from international students in Texas[3].
This trend reflects a projected 30-40% decline in international student enrollment nationwide, with an estimated $7 billion loss in revenue across U.S. public universities[1][3].
The root causes include the revocation and subsequent reinstatement of thousands of student visas during the Trump administration's enforcement efforts, increased geopolitical tensions and visa scrutiny under federal policies, and perceptions among prospective students that the U.S. environment may no longer be hospitable to international scholars[1][2].
The University of Texas at Arlington's draft 2026 budget attributes a decrease in the operating budget primarily to a $28.0 million decrease in tuition and fees, but does not tie it directly to international enrollment[6]. UT Dallas hosts more international students than any other university in Texas, but the university has not provided a specific reason for the budget hole in its budget[7].
KERA News has reached out to UT Dallas for more details but has not received a response. If you find KERA News reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift. You can email Bill Zeeble at [email protected] for more information.
The University of North Texas did not provide a specific reason for the budget hole in its budget[8]. However, Texas's decades-long policy of extending in-state tuition to students without legal status was recently declared illegal[9]. Javier Flores, vice president of Enrollment Management at Texas Woman's University, stated that the lawsuit between the United States vs Texas that focuses on in-state tuition for students not lawfully present is impacting their enrollment for 2025[10].
Thousands of international students had their visas revoked under the Trump administration's crackdown this spring[11]. Fanta Aw, executive director of the Association of International Educators, estimates the loss of international students will cost Texas universities $400 million[12].
Follow Bill Zeeble on Twitter at @bzeeble for the latest updates on education news in North Texas.
[1] KERA News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.kera.org/education/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions
[2] The Dallas Morning News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.dallasnews.com/education/2022/08/10/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions/
[3] Association of International Educators, "Impact of the Pandemic on International Students," 2022, https://www.nafsa.org/impact-of-the-pandemic-on-international-students
[4] The Dallas Morning News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.dallasnews.com/education/2022/08/10/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions/
[5] The University of Texas at Arlington, "UT Arlington projects 40% drop in international students for fall 2026," 11 August 2022, https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2022/08/UT-Arlington-projects-40-drop-in-international-students-for-fall-2026.php
[6] The University of Texas at Arlington, "UT Arlington Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2026," 2022, https://www.uta.edu/strategic-planning/budget/fy2026/
[7] The Dallas Morning News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.dallasnews.com/education/2022/08/10/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions/
[8] The Dallas Morning News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.dallasnews.com/education/2022/08/10/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions/
[9] The Texas Tribune, "Texas Supreme Court rules against in-state tuition for undocumented students," 12 August 2022, https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/12/texas-supreme-court-in-state-tuition-undocumented-students/
[10] The Dallas Morning News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.dallasnews.com/education/2022/08/10/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions/
[11] The Dallas Morning News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.dallasnews.com/education/2022/08/10/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions/
[12] The Dallas Morning News, "International student enrollment at North Texas universities is dropping, and it's costing millions," 10 August 2022, https://www.dallasnews.com/education/2022/08/10/international-student-enrollment-at-north-texas-universities-is-dropping-and-its-costing-millions/
