The Lasting Effects of the Pandemic on Graduate and Professional Education

The coronavirus pandemic caused a shift in the American higher education system. Many institutions switched from in-person to virtual platforms. Since graduate and professional students are more likely than undergraduate students to enroll in a hybrid or online program, they were less affected by the transition to online education. However, the decrease in undergraduate enrollment during the pandemic further squeezed institutional finances showing a decline in international graduate enrollment in the United States. As universities place additional scrutiny on program finances, departments will face pressure to reduce the number of assistantships that are not supported by external grants and contracts, which will disproportionately affect international enrollment. Additionally, the large graduate and professional student loan debt and benefits they receive from repayment plans are issues. Congress and the U.S. Department of Education may pursue efforts to limit the benefits that graduate and professional students receive from the federal student loan program.