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America is losing its grip on one of its quietest superpowers: its ability to attract the world's most ambitious students.
Why it matters: As international enrollment drops, colleges face a financial hit. Foreign students typically pay full tuition, acting as a crucial revenue stream that subsidizes campus operations and eases the cost burden for American taxpayers.
By the numbers: Recent survey findings by the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) reveal a 17% decline in new international student enrollment for fall 2025.
