Alabama’s international student population contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the state, money that could be at risk due to federal policy changes.
Alabama gained $348.6 million from international students and created 2,373 jobs in the 2023-24 school year, according to a report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, which advocates for international students.
Some of those students come from countries now targeted by President Donald Trump’s travel ban, may be at risk of immigration enforcement and attend universities navigating cuts to research. Advocates warn that changes to federal policy may hurt university research and the state economy.
“If you cut off that international pipeline, you cut off a good chunk of economic flow that comes and supports that college town,” said to Rachel Banks, senior director for Public Policy and Legislative Strategy at NAFSA.
Nationwide, international students brought in $43.8 billion and supported 378,175 jobs to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year, according to the report. Banks said this revenue includes not just tuition but also living expenses.
There are about 10,000 international students in Alabama, according to the report, citing the Institute of International Education. AL.com compiled data from schools’ enrollment reports and found the majority, about 8,400, are in one of Alabama’s public colleges and universities.
AL.com created a table of international students and their economic impact at public, four-year universities at the end of the story. Can’t see the table? Check out the data here.
The top five Alabama schools with the largest financial impact have seen international student enrollment increase by up to 200% since 2019.
Meanwhile, Trump announced a restriction or partial restriction of foreign nationals from 19 countries. The executive order will allow federal law enforcement agencies to “assess the risks they pose to the United States.”
In the fall of 2024, 95 University of Alabama students hail from countries now under Trump’s travel ban. Auburn had 105 students enrolled from these countries. Most of these students are from Iran. Banks said Iran typically exports many students to universities across the country.
An Iranian student caught up in Trump’s ICE ramp up spent 68 days in federal prison before electing to self-deport.
Auburn University at Montgomery has the highest percentage of international students among four-year public colleges with around 23.4%, or 1,222, of total enrollment. They’ve more than doubled their international student enrollment since 2019.
Rounding out the top five with the largest percentages of international students are the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, University of North Alabama and Troy University.
It’s unclear if current or returning international students in Alabama have difficulty obtaining student visas with this executive order, along with previous orders curtailing immigration.
The fallout for higher education institutions could be massive, according to Banks. Cuts on federal grant funding to NIH and NSF, plus a decreased interest from international students to come to the U.S. since the pandemic equals more trouble for American colleges.
Representatives from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of North Alabama, Troy University and Auburn University at Montgomery responded to AL.com’s request for comment with similar responses but no specific details on the status of international students. Each university said they value their international students and are monitoring and complying with federal policies.
AL.com has reached out to the University of Alabama and Auburn University for comment.
To see how many international students attend Alabama schools and how much financial and economic benefits they bring, go to the NAFSA website.
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