[Philadelphia, PA] August 14, 2025 — A new survey of more than 300 international students with interest in studying abroad conducted by Pioneer Academics, the only Public Benefit Corp and fully college-accredited online research program for high school students worldwide, reveals that while the vast majority still intend to study in the United States, concerns around political instability, international tensions, and affordability are negatively impacting how global high school students view American higher education.
The survey, conducted in July 2025, gathered responses from international student citizens in 33 countries across America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa, as well as a growing community in the Middle East. Despite growing concerns over research funding cuts and the treatment of foreign-born students, nearly 91% of surveyed international students still plan to study in the U.S. Specifically, 60% of surveyed international students are concerned but still pursue a US undergraduate education. Among these students, 8% chose this route because they don’t have an alternative. Five percent have decided against going to US colleges, and 3% are undecided.
“Certain U.S.-located universities retain their prestige and quality,” said one student, “but I’m worried about administrative capitulation to policies that compromise those elements.”
Another student shared, “I’m still excited because I have the freedom to change my major once I get into college, and that kind of flexibility is hard to find elsewhere.”
These findings come at a time when global mobility is increasingly influenced by geopolitics, cost, and policy shifts in both the U.S. and students’ home countries. The insights offer a real-time barometer of how future global talent is evaluating their academic future and how U.S. institutions can better support them.
“This data shows a powerful contradiction in that future international students continue to value the quality of U.S. education, but rising geopolitical and financial barriers are eroding their enthusiasm,” said Matthew Jaskol, Founder of Pioneer Academics. “Even losing a few percent of students who would otherwise study in the United States is significant, but with 60% expressing concerns, that could spell big trouble for the future of American education. Especially three or four years later, that is when the real test comes in if the tension still goes on, because it is extremely hard for many high school starters to change track after they decide to go to the US. So there could be fewer students choosing this track later. So far, that has not happened, but it’s really worth close attention.”
To download the full survey, please visit: https://pioneeracademics.com/international-students-perspectives-on-studying-in-the-united-states/
Founded in 2012, Pioneer Academics® is the world’s only fully accredited online research program for high school students, connecting them with university professors for rigorous, one-on-one mentorship leading to original undergraduate-level research and up to four transferable college credits through Oberlin College. Its sister program, the Global Problem-Solving Institute (GPSI), brings 10th graders worldwide together in a 12-week virtual innovation lab to address complex challenges using systems- and design-thinking. GPSI participants earn two credits from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Together, Pioneer and GPSI prepare motivated students to become global scholars and problem-solvers. For more information, please visit: www.pioneeracademics.com
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