The number of U.S. students applying to Canadian universities has surged, with institutions like the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Toronto, and the University of Waterloo reporting significant increases in interest. This trend comes as the Trump administration enacts policies cutting federal funding for numerous universities and revoking visas for foreign students, changes that some critics say undermine academic freedoms and student rights in the United States.
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UBC’s Vancouver campus alone has recorded a 27% rise in graduate applications from U.S. citizens for the 2025 academic year compared to 2024, reports CNN. To meet the growing demand, the university briefly reopened admissions exclusively for U.S. applicants, fast-tracking their reviews for September enrollment.
While UBC attributes the rise to U.S. policy changes, other Canadian institutions, such as the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo, have also observed spikes in applications and web traffic from the United States without assigning a direct cause.
U.S. Policy Changes Driving Migration to Canadian Universities Could Hurt U.S. Economy
The Trump administration has taken steps to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to universities it claims have failed to combat antisemitism. Furthermore, targeted actions against foreign students, including the deportation of those participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and visa cancellations, have added to concerns around freedoms in education, prompting some U.S. students to consider attending Canadian universities.
The funding cuts also threaten institutional research, potentially causing a “brain drain” as U.S. scientists and academics consider opportunities abroad. According to a recent survey by Nature, 75% of U.S. scientists are exploring roles in Canada and Europe.
Canadian universities’ ability to attract American students could further strain the U.S. economy, given the significant contributions of international education. Data from NAFSA indicates that international students contributed a record $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023-24 academic year, while also supporting over 378,000 jobs, reports ST Magazine.
Beyond the immediate economic impact, higher education institutions play a vital role in driving innovation and bolstering local economies in America. Colleges and universities are the largest employers in 10 states and two-thirds of America’s 100 largest cities, according to a 2019 report from AGB.
