Quantifying the Economic Impact of International Student Recruitment Agencies in the U.S.: Forecasts and Policy Alignment

The global education marketplace depends heavily on recruitment agencies to help U.S. higher institutions draw international students toward their programs. Through their key facilitator role these agencies support students and colleges and deliver application service and visa preparation guidance. University revenues and local economies heavily benefit from international student enrollment so it becomes vital to fully understand the economic value recruitment agencies provide. Despite their increasing presence in U.S. education these agencies have not been adequately studied to determine their economic contributions to the education sector nor their alignment with current policies. This research performs an economic analysis of international student recruitment agencies while examining how well U.S. policy measures align with their generated impact. The research utilizes a mixed approaches method combining institutional financial data modeling with policy regulatory analysis across different jurisdictions. The analysis combines input-output economic modeling techniques with forecasting methodologies to produce estimations about direct financial impacts and extended economic outcomes which affect institutions working with agencies. Research shows agencies generate substantial financial strength for institutions particularly in second- and third-tier universities along with exposing oversight shortcomings in both federal and state regulatory frameworks. The analysis demonstrates why we require unified policies which combine economic and ethical principles. Policymakers can create more equitable sustainable global student recruitment practices by connecting economic projections to regulatory enforcement approaches. This academic work helps advance present discussions about education policies along with international academic programs and higher education business models.