U. S. Colleges Face a Student Shortage Crisis

International students are choosing other countries over the U. S. for their studies. This is happening because of strict visa rules and more competition from other nations. A recent survey shows that the U. S. could see 150, 000 fewer international students this fall. This means less money for colleges and fewer jobs. Visa rules are making it hard for students to come to the U. S. The number of student visas issued dropped a lot. In some countries, like India, the number of student visas issued dropped by 43. 5%. The U. S. also has travel bans that stop students from certain countries from entering, even if they have a visa. This is bad news for small colleges. These schools rely on international students who pay full tuition. Some colleges are already making big cuts. Clark University in Massachusetts is laying off teachers and cutting programs. Drew University is selling land to stay open. If fewer international students come, these schools could close. The U. S. is also losing its lead in science and research. Many international students study STEM subjects. If they go to other countries, the U. S. could fall behind in innovation. To fix this, the U. S. needs to make it easier for students to get visas. This could help colleges and keep the U. S. competitive.