The Brief
Will the US election results have an impact on international students?
By Tsharna Daniels
The elections on November 5 were a pivotal moment – not only for the American population but also for international higher education.
Currently, 52 percent of international students perceive the US as offering “good work opportunities” (QS Country Perceptions Survey 2024). But, it is also “expensive”, according to 44 percent of respondents.
With the results in and Trump President Elect, we consider what is now likely to happen for American international higher education, as well as what could have been with a Harris win. As we’ll explore, the President of the US has a real impact on the student perception of the country.
“50 percent of international students consider a welcoming environment as one of the most important factors when looking to study in the US"
The US elections will impact students’ study decisions
According to the QS Country Perceptions Survey 2024, 54 percent of international students globally believe elections would either significantly, moderately or slightly affect their study choices. Students from Western Europe (33 percent) are more likely than any other region to be significantly affected by electoral outcomes.
35 percent of students globally were more likely to consider the US had the Democrats won the US election. African, Middle Eastern and Latin American students all report that they were more likely to consider the US at higher rates than the global average.
With the Republicans winning, 25 percent of international students are now more likely to consider the US. While significant, this is 10 percent lower than the percentage who would be more likely to consider the US following a Democrat win. Interestingly, we also see that interest from Western European students drops significantly in this scenario – 50 percent of Western European students are now less likely to consider the US because of the Republicans’ win.
This data highlights a significant regional sensitivity to US political dynamics, suggesting that many students’ study choices could potentially shift based on election outcomes. There was, however, a clear preference among international students for the Democrats to win.
Leveraging QS data for US institutional success
What can US universities and business schools do to minimise the impact of the upcoming election?
Promote a welcoming environment: Highlighted in a recent QS report, Destination: US and Canada, 50 percent of international students consider a welcoming environment as one of the most important factors when looking to study in the US. International students seeking to study at a university or business school highly value feeling comfortable in a new country with regards to language, customs and academic expectations. Institutions should emphasise the inclusivity, diversity, and support services available on-campus in marketing materials. Include testimonials from current international students, virtual campus tours showcasing multicultural events, and information about support networks and resources for international students.
Focus on targeted markets: As the QS Country Perceptions Survey 2024 highlighted above, 51 percent of students from the Africa and Middle East region feel that the US elections won’t have an impact on their decision-making to pursue education there. Institutions should intensify their recruitment efforts in these regions, tailoring their outreach to address specific cultural and educational aspirations. This could involve increasing participation in regional education fairs, forming partnerships with local educational institutions to increase community engagement and support, and offering webinars and virtual information sessions tailored to prospective students from these areas.
Benchmark institutional performance: While the QS International Student Survey 2024 indicates Engineering and Technology being highly sought-after by international students interested in US-study, there are significantly fewer ranked institutions in this field compared to other subjects, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. This presents a potential area for growth and development for universities in the US to expand their programmes and departments to accommodate the high demand from students and eventually, improve their reputation in the rankings.