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

  • In 2024, international students benefited Central Pennsylvania's economy by:

    • Contributing $438,300,000 to the region's economy

    • Directly and indirectly supporting 4,926 jobs


    International students from these five schools contributed the most to the region:

    1. Pennsylvania State University -- $411,200,000, 4,742 jobs

    2. Indiana University of Pennsylvania -- $12,800,000, 116 jobs

    3. Juniata College -- $6,900,000, 34 jobs

    4. Penn State Altoona -- $3,800,000, 18 jobs

    5. Mount Aloysius College -- $2,400,000, 11 jobs


    Concerned with maintaining Pennsylvania's strong economy? Considering using our communications template to contact:

  • In 2024, international students benefited Lehigh Valley's economy by:

    • Contributing $82,260,292 to the region's economy

    • Directly and indirectly supporting 786 jobs


    International students from these five schools contributed the most to the region:

    1. Lehigh University -- $62,300,000, 690 jobs

    2. Lafayette College -- $11,400,000, 55 jobs

    3. Cedar Crest College -- $3,200,000, 16 jobs

    4. Northampton Community College -- $2,600,000, 12 jobs

    5. Muhlenberg College -- $1,300,000, 6 jobs


    Concerned with maintaining Pennsylvania's strong economy? Considering using our communications template to contact:

    ·      The White House
    ·      Senator John Fetterman
    ·      Senator Dave McCormick
    ·      Representative Ryan Mackenzie

  • In 2024, international students benefited Northeast Pennsylvania's economy by:

    • Contributing $24,056,069 to the region's economy

    • Directly and indirectly supporting 155 jobs


    International students from these five schools contributed the most to the region:

    1. University of Scranton -- $8,600,000, 39 jobs

    2. Wilkes University -- $6,900,000, 75 jobs

    3. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania -- $2,100,000, 10 jobs

    4. Lycoming College -- $1,300,000, 6 jobs

    5. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania -- $1,200,000, 6 jobs


    Concerned with maintaining Pennsylvania's strong economy? Considering using our communications template to contact:

  • In 2024, international students benefited Northwest Pennsylvania's economy by:

    • Contributing $70,160,360 to the region's economy

    • Directly and indirectly supporting 601 jobs


    International students from these five schools contributed the most to the region:

    1. Gannon University -- $52,500,000, 518 jobs

    2. Penn State Behrend -- $8,300,000, 39 jobs

    3. Mercyhurt University -- $5,500,000, 26 jobs

    4. PennWest Edinboro -- $2,400,000, 11 jobs

    5. University of Pittsburgh-Bradford -- $862,885, 4 jobs

    Concerned with maintaining Pennsylvania's strong economy? Considering using our communications template to contact:

  • In 2024, international students benefited Greater Philadelphia's economy by:

    • Contributing $786,398,263 to the region's economy

    • Directly and indirectly supporting 8,016 jobs


    International students from these five schools contributed the most to the region:

    1. University of Pennsylvania -- $403,600,000, 4,561 jobs

    2. Drexel University -- $143,700,000, 1,618 jobs

    3. Temple University -- $94,700,000, 945 jobs

    4. Villanova University -- $20,000,000, 215 jobs

    5. Swarthmore College -- $13,900,000, 67 jobs

    Concerned with maintaining Pennsylvania's strong economy? Considering using our communications template to contact:

  • In 2024, international students benefited the Greater Pittsburgh Area's economy by:

    • Contributing $606,502,908 to the region's economy

    • Directly and indirectly supporting 6,768 jobs


    International students from these five schools contributed the most to the region:

    1. Carnegie Mellon University -- $361,400,000, 4,177 jobs

    2. University of Pittsburgh -- $159,100,000, 1,810 jobs

    3. Robert Morris University -- $26,400,000, 295 jobs

    4. Duquesne University -- $24,800,000, 259 jobs

    5. La Roche University -- $10,600,000, 50 jobs

    Concerned with maintaining Pennsylvania's strong economy? Considering using our communications template to contact:

  • In 2024, international students benefited the Susquehanna Valley's economy by:

    • Contributing $146,063,715 to the region's economy

    • Directly and indirectly supporting 660 jobs


    International students from these five schools contributed the most to the region:

    1. Penn State Harrisburg -- $41,100,000, 191 jobs

    2. Franklin and Marshall College -- $19,500,000, 97 jobs

    3. Dickinson College -- $17,500,000, 86 jobs

    4. Gettysburg College -- $15,300,000, 76 jobs

    5. Bucknell University -- $11,400,000, 56 jobs

    Concerned with maintaining Pennsylvania's strong economy? Considering using our communications template to contact:

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. 

Action Steps

Please Contact (See the sample message below; personalize it too): 


Tell your representatives that you support smart international immigration to continue growing and strengthening the Pennsylvania economy. Specifically, remind your representatives of the value of efficient processes of visa application review, as well as the importance of allowing businesses to hire international talent with ease. 

Consider Adapting the Communications Template Here:

Dear [Name], 

As a Pennsylvania citizen, I am concerned by increasing Federal Regulations constraining one of our multibillion dollar exports: international education. Statewide, more than 50,000 international students create 21,989 jobs, pouring 2.2 billion dollars into The Commonwealth. 

As you know international investment and innovation help Pennsylvania thrive; 20% of jobs across the Commonwealth are supported by international trade. Especially with our shrinking high school populations across the state, we need smart immigration to continue to grow our economy. 

I am writing to ask you to please ensure efficient processes of visa application review for international student applicants, to emphasize the value of international students and businesses across the state, and to decrease red tape for businesses that wish to hire international students and graduates. Thank you for your consideration. 

[Your Name]

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