Canada
Crisis in Canadian Colleges as International Students Stay Away. Canadian colleges and universities are facing a financial crisis as a significant drop in international student enrollment threatens to slash budgets across the board. With international students typically paying tuition fees that are multiple times higher than those of domestic students, their declining numbers have sent shockwaves through institutions that have come to rely heavily on this revenue stream.
Sharp Decline in Applications
According to Vancouver Sun, Langara College, one of British Columbia’s prominent institutions, is bracing for a severe downturn in enrollment. President Paula Burns recently informed faculty of a staggering 79 percent decrease in applications from international students for the spring of 2025 compared to the same period last year. According to the Vancouver Sun, this alarming drop has been described by members of the faculty association as a “crisis,” with far-reaching implications for the college’s financial stability.
The impact is not limited to Langara. Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, and Vancouver Island University are also preparing for budget cuts due to a similar decline in international student numbers. At these institutions, international students typically pay tuition fees that are four to five times higher than those paid by their domestic counterparts.
Financial Implications for Institutions
The financial health of these colleges is closely tied to the presence of international students. For instance, at Langara College, 37 percent of the student body consists of international students, primarily from India. Last year, Langara enrolled approximately 7,500 international students, a number that exceeded even the much larger Simon Fraser University. The sudden drop in enrollment is expected to impact wages, benefits, and jobs, as instructors have warned in communications to the faculty.
The situation is equally concerning at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where international students make up 38 percent of the total enrollment. At this institution, international tuition fees exceed $21,000 a year—4.5 times higher than the fees for domestic students. According to the Vancouver Sun, nearly 40 percent of the 533,000 students enrolled in British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions come from 150 different countries, highlighting the province’s dependence on international students.
The Broader Impact
The University of Victoria recently underscored the significant financial role that international students play. Despite making up only 11 percent of the student population, these students contributed to one-third of the university’s revenue in the 2023-24 academic year. This reliance on international tuition revenue is echoed across many Canadian institutions.
For example, at the University of British Columbia, an international student can expect to pay $45,000 a year in tuition—nearly five times more than what a domestic student pays. Despite the financial pressures, UBC reports that its enrollment is tracking according to budget projections, which are balanced.
Challenges Ahead
As Canadian institutions grapple with these challenges, the broader implications for the country’s education system and economy are significant. The sharp decline in international student enrollment not only threatens the financial viability of colleges and universities but also raises concerns about the future of educational diversity and cultural exchange in Canada.
According to the Vancouver Sun, this situation is being described as a “sudden and overwhelming drop,” highlighting the critical need for a reassessment of funding models and recruitment strategies in an increasingly globalized education market.
