For decades, the United States has been the top destination for international students. The appeal has always been twofold: world-class academics combined with the opportunity to gain real-world career experience. But new data suggests this dominance is slipping, and one specific policy is at the center of the conversation.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work in the US for a set period after graduation, gaining vital skills in their field of study. According to recent research, OPT is no longer viewed as a nice-to-have bonus. For the majority of international students, it is a non-negotiable requirement when choosing where to study.
As uncertainty around the program grows, the US faces a critical decision. Protecting OPT is essential not only for higher education but for the nation’s economic health and global competitiveness.
What Students Are Saying
In 2024, Shorelight partnered with Whiteboard Advisors and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to analyze the role of OPT. The findings were stark: students see practical training as a core component of their education.
Fast forward to 2025, and that sentiment has only hardened. As political and regulatory uncertainty regarding the program intensifies, students are paying close attention. When asked how potential changes to OPT would affect their decisions, the message was unmistakable. Without the guarantee of practical training, many prospective students indicated they would simply choose a different country.
This shift in student sentiment suggests that if the program is weakened or eliminated, the US will see an immediate drop in its ability to attract global talent.
The Economic Stakes
The value international students bring to the United States goes far beyond cultural exchange. They are a massive economic driver. During the 2024–2025 academic year alone, international students contributed more than $42.9 billion to the US economy and supported over 355,000 American jobs.
These contributions ripple across the entire economy. International graduates play a pivotal role in strengthening key industries, particularly in STEM fields. They drive research, fuel innovation, and fill critical skills gaps that the domestic workforce currently struggles to address. Limiting their ability to work after graduation effectively cuts off a vital pipeline of talent that American businesses rely on to stay competitive.
Losing Ground to Global Competitors
While the US debates the future of OPT, other nations are moving quickly to capitalize on the uncertainty. Countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia are actively expanding work authorization programs, simplifying immigration pathways, and aggressively marketing these benefits to prospective students.
The results are already visible. Recent enrollment declines suggest the US is losing market share in the international education sector. Continued ambiguity regarding OPT sends a signal that the US may no longer be a reliable option for career-focused students. If the US cannot offer the certainty that other nations provide, it risks pushing the world’s brightest minds toward competitors who can.
The Path Forward
The stakes could not be higher. A reduction in international student enrollment means reduced economic activity, a weaker talent pool for American companies, and diminished global influence.
Congress must act to ensure OPT is protected and durable. Students, universities, and employers need long-term stability to plan for the future. Preserving the status quo is no longer enough; without decisive action to solidify OPT, the United States risks handing its competitive advantage to other nations.
To understand the full scope of student sentiment and the economic implications, read the full report here.
