NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, August 27, 2025: Indian students form the single largest group of international students in Georgia’s public universities, but a wave of federal crackdowns on student visas has left many facing an uncertain future. According to a new fact sheet released by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, more than 6,300 students from India are enrolled in the University System of Georgia (USG), making up 23 percent of all international students in the state. Collectively, international students — most of whom come from India and China — pay nearly $1 billion in tuition and fees to Georgia’s colleges and universities each year.
In total, more than 27,000 international students study across the 26 schools in the USG, representing 7 percent of all students. Another 9,100 international students are enrolled in private colleges, universities, and seminaries in Georgia.
The largest numbers come from India (6,323), China (5,914, or 22%), and the Republic of Korea (1,557, or 6%). Other top countries of origin include Nigeria (1,094), Canada (1,041), Vietnam (607), Mexico (551), Singapore (494), Bangladesh (475), and Brazil (410). Students represent more than 200 countries worldwide.
At public universities, tuition rates for international students are significantly higher than for local students. At the Georgia Institute of Technology, international students pay $17,286 per semester, compared to $5,256 for in-state students and $16,798 for out-of-state students. Since international students are ineligible for state or federal financial aid, they pay full costs out of pocket.
Collectively, international students contribute about $446 million in tuition and mandatory fees to the USG each semester, in addition to billions in living expenses that support surrounding communities. According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, they also support over 9,000 jobs in Georgia and contribute $1.1 billion annually to the state’s economy.
Yet, despite these contributions, students face uncertainty. Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced plans to increase visa revocations for Chinese students, impose stricter screening in “critical fields” like science and engineering, and require applicants to disclose their social media accounts for federal vetting. These announcements followed a period of sudden and unexplained visa cancellations that affected students across Georgia and the nation, often without notice to students or their universities. Some Georgia students have filed lawsuits, alleging the cancellations violated due process.
The fact sheet also highlights concerns that visa cancellations have been used to target students engaged in pro-Palestinian advocacy and protest, raising questions about free speech and government overreach.
Advocates warn that if international enrollment falls, Georgia’s public colleges could face budget cuts, tuition hikes for local students, or greater reliance on state funding. Longer term, the U.S. risks losing global competitiveness as students look to Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia for more welcoming environments.
“Georgia’s colleges and universities thrive because they are global,” the report stated. “Turning away ambitious students from India, China, and beyond will not only damage higher education in our state but also weaken America’s role in the world.”
