Staffing, Compensation and Operational Support Are Strategic Imperatives for the Future of International Education, Says New Terra Dotta Survey

Voice of the Professionals report identifies retention and compensation gaps that could threaten sustainability of international enrollments and increased compliance needs

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Sept. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid U.S. international education uncertainty, Terra Dotta, a leading global engagement education technology provider, today announced the results of its International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) support survey, "Voice of the Professionals." The survey of 150+ higher education ISSS professionals identifies and benchmarks international enrollment trends, professional resource capacity and compensation, operational practices and institutional readiness across higher education.

While international enrollments at U.S. universities and colleges are under a microscope amid a tenuous regulatory landscape, survey participants on average reported just 10% of their on-campus student populations are international. Private universities report a higher share at 14%. Overall, the respondents said that of their Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) participants, more than 80% hold F-1 student visas, while employment-based scholars account for just 6%.

"Higher education is at a pivotal moment. International student enrollments are under intense scrutiny, regulatory demands are shifting and ISSS professionals are being asked to do more with less," said Travis Ulrich, a senior vice president of Terra Dotta. "Our survey gives a clear, data-driven view of where institutions stand — and where they must act — to stay competitive, compliant and student-centered."

International Student-to-Staff Ratios Reveal Staffing Model Needs
Managing visa compliance for international students and scholars is complex, and the staff responsible are under significant pressure. International education staffing ratios vary widely—from 21 international students per operational full-time equivalent (FTE) at liberal arts colleges to 197 international students per FTE at public universities. Staff-to-student ratios have direct implications for service quality, compliance oversight and the ability to deliver personalized support, and more than half of the survey respondents from public universities report feeling under-resourced.

Compensation Gaps Impact Retention, Especially for Compliance Heavy Roles
The ISSS support professionals Terra Dotta surveyed reported that one-quarter of their ISSS staff has turned over in the past three years, decreasing the collective productivity and knowledge base of international education offices. This turnover rate outpaces the broader higher education staff average by 25%. As the reported top drivers of staff turnover are low compensation, insufficient institutional support, and limited professional growth opportunities, the survey asked respondents about office compensation. While mid- to senior-level international education professionals are generally paid on par with peers, pay for entry-level positions—particularly International Scholar Advisors and SEVIS Coordinators—falls below market rates and has narrow pay bands that hinder advancement. Because these roles are deeply involved in tracking visa status, underpaying them is a notable compliance risk.

Operational Support Needed to Enhance Regulatory Readiness
When it comes to technology to support international education operations, a surprisingly high 20% of international education professionals say their office does not use any structured or dedicated software program to help automate the SEVP compliance process, and one-third of the institutions surveyed report gaps in SEVIS compliance preparation. While more than half of respondents say their office is well positioned to meet the needs of international students and scholars, only one-third say they are prepared to accommodate increased international enrollments.

"The Voice of the Professionals survey findings underscore the urgent need for innovation in international education staffing models, retention strategies and technology investments. This is not just about meeting today's requirements; it's about building resilient international education programs that can thrive in the face of tomorrow's challenges," said Ben Psillas, CEO of Terra Dotta.

Study Methodology
Findings from Terra Dotta's inaugural "Voice of the Professionals" survey came from an online survey conducted by Thrive Analytics. Data collection occurred during July and August 2025 and gathered responses from 154 International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) professionals representing a diverse cross-section of U.S. higher education institutions (public, private, community colleges, liberal arts colleges).

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