Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
12th Mar 2025

Survey assesses international students’ perceptions of the US under President Trump

Short on time? Here are the highlights:

  • An IDP Education survey found that up to 12 February 2025, most international students had adopted a more positive view of the US since President Trump’s election
  • There was considerable variation across the 43 countries surveyed, however, and only 27% of Chinese students viewed the US more favourably

Soon after US President Trump’s election, and while the president was in the midst of signing several executive orders in the first weeks of his new term, IDP Education surveyed just over 1,000 international students to gauge their reaction to the US as a study destination.

The survey was active from 25 January to 12 February 2025. It received responses from students in 43 countries, with the largest sample segments from India, China, and Bangladesh.

More than half (52%) of students surveyed said that their impression of the US had improved since the election, but this average belies significant variation in perceptions. For example, only 27% of Chinese said they felt more positively towards the US than before the election. By contrast, almost two-thirds (64%) of Bangladeshi students and 48% of Indian students were more impressed with the US as a study destination following the 2024 election.

Overall, 26% of the survey sample said that their view of the US had become more negative since President Trump came into power.

What is driving students’ interest in the US?

Many international students remain convinced of the US’s position as an education powerhouse. IDP reports that “the quality of education remains the most significant factor attracting international students to the US, followed closely by the availability of scholarships and financial aid.”

Simon Emmett, chief partner officer at IDP Education, also points out that the US is benefitting from weakened enthusiasm for other top study destinations given their restrictive immigration settings:

“In recent IDP Education research we have seen evidence that the US is benefiting from evolving policy environments in other leading markets like the UK and Australia. As other markets become more unpredictable, international students are more willing to invest in the high quality and reputable education available in the US. Given this, there’s an opportunity for the US international education community to come together and highlight the wealth of opportunities available to students in the market.”

Quality of education aside, the areas in which international students were least likely to consider the US attractive were pathways to permanent residency, post-graduation work visas, and diversity of the student population.

Would the responses be the same today?

From the first day of his presidency to 20 February 2025, President Trump signed 70 executive orders, the most in that timeframe of any president in 40 years. This increased to 128 by 12 March 2025, 10 of which are immigration-related, and one of which concerns a comprehensive review of all visa programmes, including those covering international students. The following screenshot is from CNN, and it breaks down the categories of executive orders up to 12 March 2025.

Up to 12 March 2025, 10 of President Trump’s executive orders concern immigration and protecting the US from perceived outside threats. Source: CNN

Since the survey, President Trump’s tariff threats and tariff applications have intensified. So far, Canada, Mexico, and China have borne the brunt of the trade measures, but the president has not ruled out applying tariffs affecting other countries – including India and European countries.

Should the US issue any kind of travel ban for students and visitors, the US study abroad brand would decline quickly, according to survey responses. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would change their view that the US is welcoming to international students. About a quarter of Chinese and Pakistani students (27% and 23%, respectively) said they would no longer consider studying in the US if a travel ban were imposed.

Just after the IDP survey closed, the Trump administration imposed a funding freeze on major organisations responsible for exchange and scholarship programmes for both international and American students.

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • Australia: With ELICOS under pressure, peak bodies push for reduction in “extortionate” visa fees Read More
  • Mystery shopping study finds broad improvement in student enquiry handling this year Read More
  • South Korea hits its 300,000 student target two years ahead of schedule Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Australia: With ELICOS under pressure, peak bodies push for reduction in “extortionate” visa fees The latest data from the Department of Education reveals that enrolments in Australia’s ELICOS sector (English Language Intensive...
Read more
Mystery shopping study finds broad improvement in student enquiry handling this year The results are out for Edified’s annual Enquiry Experience Tracker study, and they reflect the best overall performance...
Read more
South Korea hits its 300,000 student target two years ahead of schedule In 2023, the South Korean government announced a plan to attract 300,000 international students by 2027: 220,000 in...
Read more
Canada: Study permit numbers are in steep decline in 2025 In 2024, the first year under Canada’s current cap on new international student enrolments, the total number of...
Read more
UK confirms levy on international student fees as new analysis argues that government is “drastically underestimating” the impact of the move Updated for 30 September 2025: On 29 September, the Department of Education announced that it would reinstate “means-tested...
Read more
US administration’s new H-1B policies create uncertainty around post-study work rights The H-1B programme is a key policy mechanism for international students in the United States. Aside from the...
Read more
China leverages higher education capacity with expanded TNE partnerships As with most statistics about China, the latest higher education figures are a little dizzying. Enrolment in the...
Read more
France reports more than 443,000 international students in higher education for 2024/25 The latest data release from Campus France reports a record-high foreign enrolment in the country. There were 443,500...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links