Which US university has the highest percentage of international students? Well, it’s not Harvard!

Disrupted by Politics, Redirected by Opportunity: The New Global Map of Higher Education

The ongoing legal battle between Harvard University and the Trump administration has reignited debate over the role of international students in U.S. higher education. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs extended a court order barring federal authorities from blocking Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students. The conflict began after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, threatened to revoke the university’s ability to admit international students. Harvard responded with a lawsuit, alleging that DHS failed to provide the legally required 30-day notice period.The pressure escalated when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons sent a letter stating Harvard had 30 days to respond to accusations of fostering antisemitism and ties with the Chinese Communist Party. According to The New York Times, President Trump lashed out on social media, claiming “the best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best judge (for them!).” He insisted the administration would “in the end, WIN!”Harvard may be in the spotlight, but it’s not alone. International students are a vital pillar of the US academic ecosystem—contributing not just diversity, but billions in revenue and research strength.In this context, understanding which universities have the highest international student representation sheds light on the broader stakes of this legal battle. Here is a breakdown of 10 US universities with the highest percentage of international students (undergraduate and graduate combined) as of Fall 2023, according to NCES and Carnegie Classification:

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Carnegie ClassificationOther institutions with international student populations ranging from 27 to 32 percent include Harvard University (28%), Caltech (32%), University of Chicago (31%), Boston University (30%), MIT (30%), USC (28%), WashU (28%), Penn (27%), and Brandeis (27%). These universities rely significantly on their diverse international communities, which contribute not only to campus culture but also to their financial sustainability.As Harvard and the Trump administration clash over autonomy and international access, universities across the country are watching closely. With billions of dollars and global prestige at stake, and as other nations ramp up recruitment efforts, the future of international education in the US remains uncertain—and increasingly contested.How international students contribute to the US economy and educationInternational students do far more than diversify classrooms. As reported by The New York Times, over 1.1 million international students contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023–24 academic year. This spending supports housing, books, tuition, and over 378,000 jobs.Mirka Martel, head of research at the Institute of International Education (IIE), told The New York Times that international students often pay 1.5 times more in tuition than US students. “Their tuition dollars help subsidize lower costs for domestic students,” Martel explained. Maureen Martin, Harvard’s director of immigration services, was quoted by The New York Times as saying that the administration’s actions created “profound fear, concern, and confusion.“Other countries are seizing the opportunityHong Kong has been quick to respond to the challenges faced by international students amid the U.S. visa restrictions and the Harvard row. The city’s Education Bureau has urged universities to introduce facilitation measures to support displaced students and protect their rights. Leading institutions like the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), City University of Hong Kong (CityU), and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) are offering streamlined admissions, academic support, and scholarships to ensure smooth transitions for affected students. Hong Kong’s strong infrastructure, English-medium instruction, and strategic position as a cultural and academic bridge between East and West make it an increasingly attractive alternative destination.Japan is also stepping up, with the Ministry of Education encouraging universities to accommodate students displaced by the U.S. visa crackdown. Top universities such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University have expressed willingness to temporarily accept these students, providing programs designed for those with little to no Japanese language proficiency. Initiatives like Kyoto University’s International Undergraduate Program offer financial support including tuition waivers and scholarships, highlighting Japan’s growing commitment to international education and academic globalization.Beyond Hong Kong and Japan, other countries in Asia and around the world are capitalizing on the shifting landscape of global education. Nations like Australia, the UK, Sweden, Finland, and Singapore have seen surges in international student interest due to their welcoming visa policies and stable environments. Additionally, countries such as Malaysia, South Korea, and China are implementing targeted incentives—like simplified visa processes and post-graduation work opportunities—to attract more international students, positioning themselves as new hubs for global higher education.How Trump’s education policy is reshaping US universitiesPresident Donald Trump’s education policies, implemented since his return to office in 2025, are significantly reshaping US universities through a combination of executive orders and funding leverage aimed at curbing perceived ideological biases and enhancing federal oversight. A key policy is the executive order issued on his first day, which targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, labeling them as potential civil rights violations and prompting investigations into universities with DEI programs. This has led institutions like Columbia and Yale to reassess or scale back such programs to avoid federal funding cuts, with Columbia losing $400 million in grants due to non-compliance. Additionally, Trump’s push to reform the accreditation system seeks to prioritize workforce-oriented education and reduce costs, pressuring accreditors to focus on student outcomes like graduation rates over ideological frameworks. This has sparked concerns among university leaders about academic freedom, with over 400 presidents signing a statement condemning government overreach, fearing it could stifle innovation and intellectual diversity across campuses.The administration’s aggressive stance on international students and research funding further disrupts higher education. Policies like the revocation of Harvard’s ability to enroll international students for the 2025-2026 academic year, citing issues like antisemitism and foreign influence, have sent shockwaves through institutions reliant on the $44 billion international students contribute annually to the US economy. Universities such as MIT, NYU, and the University of Hawaii are bracing for financial strain as visa restrictions and funding freezes, including a cap on National Institutes of Health indirect costs at 15%, threatening research programs. These actions, coupled with threats to dismantle the Department of Education and shift funding to state control, have created uncertainty, with many universities hesitant to openly resist due to fears of retribution. While some, like Harvard, have pursued legal challenges, others are quietly adapting, potentially reshaping the cultural and academic landscape of US higher education for years to come.