Nearly 22,000 jobs, $2.2 billion annual revenues threatened in Pennsylvania 

March 2025

International education is a major Pennsylvania export. Statewide, more than 50,000 international students create 21,989 jobs, pouring 2.2 billion dollars into The Commonwealth. In addition to directly supporting jobs, the presence of international students helps universities achieve economies of scale and grow a talented workforce for the state. Yet during the Biden Administration and now under the Trump Administration, prospective students and workers are facing challenges with simple bureaucratic processes, including scheduling interviews. This bureaucratic inefficiency, along with reported increases of visa denials will discourage international students from choosing the United States.

Over the coming weeks, PACIE will populate the links below with data specific to each region. Check back to learn more - and read more about statewide impacts below.

Economic Impact by Region

Statewide, the Data is Clear

The individuals who graduate from PA’s colleges and universities are the human resources pipeline for Pennsylvania’s global economy, where 20% of all jobs are supported by international trade. International students and entrepreneurs are also keys in the international investment and innovation that help Pennsylvania thrive. Data from IIE/Open Doors demonstrates that the majority of PA international students major in fields associated with heavily recruited graduates, including math, computer science, engineering, business, and management. 

With shrinking high school class sizes across the Commonwealth, these international students do not take the place of Pennsylvanians. Rather, they help ensure that the vibrant and strong higher education landscape remains a resource for Pennsylvanians. 

President Trump recognizes the value of international talent, saying in 2024 that international students should have opportunities to stay, because, “you need a pool of people to work for your companies—you have great companies—and they have to be smart people.” Yet the government is making it harder to recruit, train, and retain international talent. While the cumulative effects, including shrinking customer bases for local businesses and services, will take many years to fully develop, there are already indicators that PA and the US are losing comparative advantage. 

The United Kingdom has reported an unexpected positive bump in January 2025 visa application rates, indicating increased global intent to study there. Talented international students have many options for studying abroad, including not only in the Anglophone countries of Australia, Canada, and the UK, but also through expanding English-language options across Europe and in Asia. In China, the government has invested in the development of English language Engineering programs, recruiting students and prospective employees to their growing economy. 

The Pennsylvania Council for International Education and StudyPA, organizations that include international educators and business leaders dedicated to a flourishing Pennsylvania that continues its global leadership across industries, urge our representatives to take action to ensure we continue to have a welcoming and inclusive state that benefits from international talent, connections, and influence. 

Actions the federal government may undertake to support this vital sector include: ensuring efficient processes of visa application review for international student applicants, emphasizing the value of international students and businesses across the state, and decreasing red tape for businesses that wish to hire international students and graduates. Citizens who wish to continue Pennsylvania’s long tradition of economic strength and flourishing through international talent and collaboration should contact their representatives to insist upon these basic, smart government steps, immediately. 

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