Up First from NPR Casualties of Trump’s War on Higher Ed
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Sep 21, 2025 
Elissa Nadworny, an NPR correspondent focused on higher education, dives into the consequences of the Trump administration's policies on U.S. colleges. She reveals how tightened visa regulations are straining university budgets and international student enrollments. The discussion also highlights significant funding cuts impacting crucial research, from pediatric healthcare to broader academic innovation. Furthermore, she explores the shifting public perception of higher education and the challenges institutions face in adapting to demographic changes.
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Visa Chaos At Orientation
- International students described visa delays and anxiety during orientation at University at Buffalo.
- Many deferred or transferred because interviews were canceled and processes became unpredictably strict.
Visa Policy As Enrollment Lever
- The administration tightened student visa vetting and reduced interview availability worldwide citing national security.
- That bottleneck increased denials and pushed many admitted students to defer or study in other countries.
International Students Fuel Budgets
- University at Buffalo expects about a 15% drop in international students, mostly in graduate STEM programs.
- Loss of full-tuition international students creates a substantial financial shortfall for many campuses.