Most College Students Plan to Study Abroad but Concerns about Global Instability Emerge and Cost Constraints Continue, Says Terra Dotta's 2025 Voice of the Students Survey

Fourth annual survey shows increased demand for study abroad financial aid; UK tops the list for most popular destination

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra Dotta, a leading global engagement education technology provider, today announced the results of its fourth annual study abroad survey, "Voice of the Students," with key insights on U.S. college students' study abroad perspectives. Overall, interest in study abroad remains high, as up to 76% of students surveyed indicate they hope or plan to study abroad. However, cost is the top concern among 80% of the students, and nearly half who aren't planning to study abroad say the cost prevents them from doing so. Three-quarters of students say global conflicts like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza impact their interest in travelling abroad.

"Study abroad is a valuable and desirable student experience, and our survey reaffirms high interest among most U.S. college students," said David Nelson, Director of Study Abroad at Terra Dotta. "However, global volatility and economic uncertainty means universities have to go the extra mile to showcase their duty of care best practices and financial aid resources - all of which can be differentiators to help attract students amid the enrollment cliff."

Cost Remains a Top Barrier
Cost continues to be the primary barrier to study abroad participation, according to 48% of interested students. Considering 43% of students' say their chosen programs cost between $5,000 and $10,000, and 40% anticipate spending even more, easier access to financial aid information is the top request of 65% of students to improve the study abroad experience. This is a 50% increase since 2024. Demand for financial support is high, as two-thirds of students plan to pay for study abroad with financial aid or scholarships. This year, 20% more students plan to pay for study abroad themselves in 2025 compared to 2024.

Impact of Global Instability on Participation
International conflict is an emerging consideration for study abroad, as 76% of students say global events like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza impact their interest in travelling abroad. Nearly one-third of students indicate geopolitical issues are a factor that would prevent them from participating. While this doesn't seem to deter students altogether, it does appear to impact their country of choice, as more students are opting to travel to English-speaking countries with the UK overtaking Italy as the most popular destination, and Australia coming in second.

Early Interest in Study Abroad; Value Communication
Students are interested in study abroad early on in their college careers, as three-quarters of students say they first became interested by their sophomore year, including 40% who report they first became interested in high school. Additionally, 77% of students factored a school's study abroad programs into their college decisions, revealing an opportunity for universities to attract students with their study abroad offerings. A growing number of students (19%) state they first learned about study abroad as an option through social media - a 50% increase since 2024, with half of those students citing learning about study abroad through Instagram. While college and university-dedicated study abroad websites are the most popular resource for finding study abroad information, most students want schools to also add a database of reviews to help inform program decisions.

"The results of our fourth annual study abroad survey show a clear opportunity for universities to prioritize study abroad programs - students want them - and schools can optimize study abroad program management to better communicate programs and supportive services," said Ben Psillas, CEO of Terra Dotta. "Study abroad initiatives can help colleges and universities stand out in a more competitive enrollment landscape."

Study Methodology
Findings from Terra Dotta's fourth annual "Study Abroad Survey: The Voice of the Students" came from an online survey conducted by Thrive Analytics. Data collection occurred during February 2025 and gathered responses from 275 U.S. college students enrolled in a public or private institution.

To learn more and access the full report, visit https://get.terradotta.com/ebook-voice-of-students-2025.

About Terra Dotta
Terra Dotta is the trusted leader in global engagement solutions for higher education. Over 700 universities and colleges use Terra Dotta's global engagement platform to facilitate cross-cultural experiences for students, faculty and staff in more than 85 countries worldwide. The company's solutions help customers deliver end-to-end, accessible global engagement experiences that meet comprehensive safety and compliance requirements – from managing domestic and international travel to international student programs, virtual and global experiences and beyond. Terra Dotta is based in Chapel Hill, N.C. and can be found at www.terradotta.com.

SOURCE Terra Dotta