Virginia colleges face global competition as more students consider studying abroad

Maintaining and expanding enrollment is a significant goal for Virginia’s colleges and universities, but institutions are competing with others from across the country and from other nations to retain students in the commonwealth.

Enrollment directly affects institutions’ academic offerings, finances, long-term sustainability and strategic planning.

Last year, 167 non-U.S. higher education institutions participated in a National Association for College Admission Counseling College Fair, one of America’s largest career affairs, with 19 countries represented including Canada, …