A Penn State Altoona student walks along the snow covered Reflecting Pond on a Monday afternoon earlier this year. Mirror file photo

Although colleges and universities have served as a pillar of the Pennsylvania economy for generations, recent federal action could jeopardize a key component of these institutions — international students.

Both President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have signaled their intent to restrict access to student visa applications, while thousands of current visa holders have faced challenges to their legal status over the past month as part of the administration’s broader effort to exert more control over immigration.

If these actions lead to a sustained decline in international student enrollment at commonwealth universities, Pennsylvania could lose up to $2.2 billion in annual economic activity and more than 21,000 jobs, according to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers, a nonprofit advocacy group for international education.

By the numbers

According to NAFSA data from the 2023-24 academic year, the average international student in Pennsylvania contributes about $43,550 in economic value to their local community.

This includes spending on food, housing, shopping and tuition expenses for their respective institution, excluding financial support they may receive, such as scholarships or graduate assistantships.

In total, this spending supports nearly 5,000 jobs in central Pennsylvania, and more than 21,000 statewide.

More than 50,000 international students study in the commonwealth each year, according to NAFSA, with Penn State University Park topping the list in both total number of enrolled international students and their overall economic footprint.

Penn State University Park sees an annual international student contribution topping $411.2 million, supporting 4,742 jobs. That same data shows that Penn State Altoona sees $3.8 million from international students, supporting 18 jobs, while Juniata College has $6.9 million, supporting 34 jobs.

While data is not available for Saint Francis University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania reports $12.8 million, supporting 116 jobs, and Mount Aloysius College reports $2.4 million, supporting 11 jobs.

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown rounds out the regional list, reporting $1.2 million from international students, supporting 5 jobs.

The regional total comes in at $438.3 million, supporting 4,926 jobs.

Local reactions

According to Senior Associate Dean of Admission Reginald Onyido, 10% of Juniata College’s total enrollment of about 1,300 students are foreign born, with China and southeast Asian nations as the most commonly represented.

The students study in a variety of fields from engineering and physics to conflict studies and liberal arts, he said.

Juniata has been “really fortunate” to avoid issues during the initial round of student visa challenges, Onyido said, but he is still worried for the future of these students at the college.

Onyido, like other college administrators, is concerned with any government action that may lead to a decline in enrollment, such as the recent steps taken by the Trump administration.

“We always want to understand the impact on enrollment of different student groups,” he said.

One of the benefits of having a robust international student community on campus, in addition to the economic benefit, is providing American students access to a wealth of global perspectives, according to Onyido.

Even in hard-science programs, it is important to offer students a “deep and broad education” in a wide range of subjects and life experiences to create more well-rounded scholars upon graduation, he said, noting international students play an important role in this outcome.

This effect isn’t just limited to their undergraduate classmates, as faculty and community members beyond the college can also reap a similar benefit, he said.

“(International students) enrich the lives of everyone they impact, on campus and in Huntingdon as a whole,” Onyido said.

The more than 9,000 international students enrolled at Penn State campuses “greatly enrich” the university community, according to Wyatt DuBois, senior director for public relations.

Chinese and Indian students make up the largest percentage of the international student delegation at Penn State, with Saudi Arabians, Malaysians and Taiwanese students also contributing a noticeable portion.

State College and the communities immediately adjacent to the University Park campus are among the most racially and ethnically diverse in central Pennsylvania, and host a number of specialized businesses that cater to international students.

“Their contributions have a significant impact on the University — and all of those who work and study at Penn State — as well as in the local communities around our campuses,” DuBois said in a statement.

In April, 22 Penn State international students had their visas revoked, according to Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna, all of whom had received citations or misdemeanor offenses for charges such as possession of a controlled substance or driving under the influence.

Penn State is in touch with its international students, as well as incoming international students, to provide support and regularly shares guidance through Penn State Global, DuBois said.

He did not respond to additional questions concerning the status of international students at the university.

According to Erin McCloskey, vice president for communications and marketing, Saint Francis University only has a “handful” of international students, who have been unaffected by visa issues.

Mount Aloysius College is in a similar position regarding their “very small” community of international students, according to Sam Wagner, vice president for marketing and communications.

“We haven’t been notified about any changes to visa status for our current or incoming group of students. Our growth the past several years has been driven by regional student enrollment,” Wagner said via email.

The Trump administration is focused on protecting the nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through the visa process, according to a State Department spokesperson.

Student and exchange program visa applicants may continue to apply, requiring they be fully truthful in their applications when they do so, the spokesperson said in a statement.

No previously scheduled appointments have been cancelled, and the State Department recommends those who do not yet have an appointment to continue to monitor for availability of new slots.

The United States is putting America first by beginning to revoke visas of Chinese students as warranted, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, and enhancing scrutiny of visas for all Chinese nationals, including Hong Kong passport holders, according to the spokesperson.

“The United States will not tolerate the CCP’s exploitation of U.S. universities or theft of U.S. research, intellectual property and technologies to grow its military power, conduct intelligence collection and repress voices of opposition,” the spokesperson said.

The Department did not provide data on the current number of student visa revocations or their plans for potential future revocations and did not respond to additional questions regarding the status of student visa holders.

The Department of Homeland Security, which also oversees the student visa program, did not respond to requests for comment.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.

Annual international student contribution by institution

Penn State University Park — $411.2 million supporting 4,742 jobs

Penn State Altoona — $3.8 million supporting 18 jobs

Juniata College — $6.9 million supporting 34 jobs

Indiana University of Pennsylvania — $12.8 million supporting 116 jobs

Saint Francis University — Data not available

Mount Aloysius College — $2.4 million supporting 11 jobs

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown — $1.2 million supporting 5 jobs

Total — $438.3 million supporting 4,926 jobs in the region