Trump’s immigration policies threaten Columbia’s core revenue source

Columbia University is experiencing financial challenges due to the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies, which are affecting its substantial international student population. International students, who constitute approximately 40% of Columbia's student body, contribute significantly to the university's revenue, paying over $70,000 annually in tuition. In the 2023–2024 academic year, these students generated approximately $903.1 million for the institution, according to a report by Politico.

The Trump administration's immigration policies are impacting Columbia University's finances by targeting its large international student population, leading to potential declines in enrollment and revenue.

The administration's actions, including detaining international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests and reviewing the visa statuses of demonstrators, have raised concerns among the student body. Some students have faced visa revocations despite not participating in protests, prompting legal challenges.

A graduate student and member of the Student Workers of Columbia union, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, stated, "They and other international students are 'looking for an exit route.'"

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As per the report by Politico, the university's reliance on international students for revenue makes it particularly vulnerable to these policy changes. Jordan Matsudaira, a former deputy education undersecretary during the Biden administration, commented, "It's a large chunk of their student population that is differentially paying higher prices than domestic students. I'm sure it's a very serious concern of theirs."

Only New York University and Northeastern University have more international students than Columbia. For instance, NYU's 27,000 international students contributed $1.4 billion in the same academic year.

As the Trump administration continues its immigration enforcement, Columbia University and similar institutions may face ongoing financial and enrolment challenges.