Graphic Truth: The rise of foreign students, and their fees, in the United States

Luisa Vieira

Using several different avenues, the Trump administration is threatening to severely restrict the number of foreign students: It paused interviews for those applying for student visas, tried to block Harvard from accepting international candidates, and even said that it will revoke visas from certain Chinese students.

This Graphic Truth shows the exponential rise of international students in the United States in the postwar period, as well as the fees they are estimated to pay each year (international students do not benefit from in-state tuition at public schools, so often pay private-school-sized fees whichever university they attend; a minority of universities offer some financial aid to international students). This rise means foreign students now contribute tens of billions to the US economy, but the White House’s actions may send this number tumbling.

More from GZERO Media

- YouTube

French President Emmanuel Macron is scrambling to pull France out of a deepening political free fall that’s already toppled five prime ministers in two years. Tomorrow he’ll try again—and this time, says Eurasia Group’s Mujtaba Rahman, the fifth pick might finally stick.

In these photos, emergency units carry out rescue work after a Russian attack in Ternopil and Prikarpattia oblasts on December 13, 2024. A large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure left half of the consumers in the Ternopil region without electricity, the Ternopil Regional State Administration reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump takes part in a welcoming ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 9, 2017.
REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

China has implemented broad new restrictions on exports of rare earth and other critical minerals vital for semiconductors, the auto industry, and military technology, of which it controls 70% of the global supply.

French President Emmanuel Macron as he poses for a picture as he welcomes Crown Prince and Princess of the Kingdom of Jordan for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on October 8, 2025.
Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

France is in crisis – again. On Monday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned after just 27 days in office, making him the shortest-serving premier in the history of the Fifth Republic and the fourth to fall in 13 months.

Throughout his Walmart career, Greg has earned nine promotions, moving from an hourly associate to now overseeing 10 Walmart stores. His story is one of many. More than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates, and the retailer offers competitive benefits to support associates on and off the clock. At Walmart, there is a path for everyone. Learn how Walmart is investing in opportunities for associates at all levels.