Student sentiment shifts as the U.S.’ policy uncertainty grows

New research from international education specialists IDP Education has revealed a shift in international student sentiment regarding the United States (U.S.), with almost half of prospective students seriously weighing up alternative study destinations in the wake of recent policy shifts.

According to the latest global pulse survey, which surveyed 934 prospective and current students between May 12 and 22, 2025, perceptions of the U.S. have deteriorated since the post-election period. When asked “How has your perception of the U.S. changed since President Trump took office?”, the proportion of students with a negative view rose from 26 percent to 36 percent.

At the same time, the proportion of students considering only the U.S. for study has dropped from 32 percent to 26 percent, while interest in alternative destinations such as Canada, the U.K., and Australia continues to rise.

Despite these challenges, overall favorability toward the U.S. as a destination remains stable, with 83 percent of students rating it positively. However, perception improvements following the 2024 election are softening with just 43 percent of students saying their view of the U.S. has improved under the new administration, down from 52 percent in February.

IDP Education’s Chief Partner Officer, Simon Emmett, said that these changes are indicative that rapid policy and cultural changes in the U.S. are beginning to deter ambitious students from the study destination.

“While our latest pulse survey shows that students still see the U.S. as a highly favorable destination overall, there are clear signs that sentiment is shifting as a result of the changing policy environment,” said Emmett.

“Importantly, students aren’t giving up on their global ambitions because of the political uncertainty in the U.S. Instead, they are looking to alternative study destinations where they can pursue their dreams with greater confidence and stability.”

Visa and post-study work rights remain key friction points for students looking to pursue their global ambitions. Two-thirds (66 percent) of students now believe it will be harder to obtain a U.S. visa, and 60 percent expect to experience greater difficulty remaining in the country after graduation. These concerns are particularly pronounced among students from China, Bangladesh, and India.

More than half (58 percent) of respondents expect U.S. policy changes to negatively impact or disrupt their study plans – including 34 percent who expect negative impacts and 24 percent who are unsure. Meanwhile 87 percent are concerned about possible changes to visa or work conditions under the new administration.

“The U.S. continues to be viewed as a global leader in education, but that reputation alone isn’t enough to counter uncertainty,” said Emmett.

Surprisingly, policy awareness remains low, with only 40 percent of students aware of recent policy changes in the U.S. – a figure that captures views prior to the recent pause on U.S. student visa appointments. A combined 60 percent of respondents either haven’t heard (32 percent) or are not sure (28 percent) about recent policy changes. Chinese respondents recorded the lowest awareness, with 40 percent indicating they haven’t heard of recent announcements.

“This data is a call to action for the international education sector,” said Emmett.

“Students are making life-changing decisions with limited or outdated information. Governments, institutions, and student placement organizations must provide clarity and proactively inform prospective students of the policy shifts in study destinations,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to explain what these changes mean for students’ study and career pathways. We are committed to keeping students informed through our direct links to stakeholders and officials, and our in-country teams.”