International students are interested in the USA, regardless of the election results

Prospective international students are increasingly interested in studying in the United States, regardless of whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump wins the presidency in November. More and more people are reporting that the winner of the 2024 election will not influence their decision compared to the 2020 election.

In a survey of nearly 1,000 prospective students by global professional services firm IDP Education, respondents were asked how much the election outcome would influence their decision to study in the United States. The majority of students surveyed came from India (281 respondents) and China (234 respondents). Other countries of origin were Nepal, Kenya, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria.

Just over half of the students answered “not at all”, a fifth said “slightly”, a tenth said “moderately” and 4 percent answered “significantly”. In a similar survey conducted after Joe Biden’s victory in 2020, more than two-thirds of respondents now said they would be more likely to study in the US because of the election results.

However, prospective students showed a preference for Kamala Harris: 57 percent said they would prefer to study in the US with the Democratic candidate in the White House, compared to 43 percent who chose Donald Trump.

Female respondents were more likely to describe a Harris victory as their “preferred election outcome,” with 62 percent supporting the current vice president, while male students were almost evenly split among the candidates.

Respondents also said that the quality of education in the United States is the main factor determining its attractiveness.

“While we know that some students will be watching to see how the election results may impact international student policy, ultimately we must focus on our strengths and the success and outcomes of international students to continue to attract the brightest and best students to our diverse, “World-leading institutions,” said Fanta Aw, executive director of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Increasingly restrictive policies toward international students in the U.K., Australia and Canada could represent “a unique opportunity for U.S. institutions to attract and support this growing pool of talent,” said Simon Emmett, CEO of IDP Connect.

“Regardless of the election outcome, many international students have a lifelong goal of studying in the United States – a testament to the strong brand of U.S. institutions worldwide.”

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