Working with for-profit agents to recruit international students has been one of the recruitment practices of U.S. universities, but using agents remains contentious. This study included finding the existing characteristics of the university-agent relationships and identifying the satisfactory elements in the relationships. The research questions were as follows: 1) How could relationships between U.S. universities and international-student recruitment agents be best characterized? 2) What elements in relationships are found to be most satisfactory to U.S. universities and international-student recruitment agents? Using a theoretical framework of agency theory and steward- ship theory, I designed a survey and sent it to 316 members of U.S. universities and agents of American International Recruitment Council. The survey collected data relative to the elements of principal-agent/steward relationships from each theoretical perspective. Four key findings emerged from this study. First, existing relationships between U.S. universities and international- student recruitment agents could be best characterized as dominated by agency theory elements. Second, I found higher satisfaction levels with stewardship theory elements than agency theory elements. Third, U.S. universities and international-student recruitment agents reported significant differences in theoretical elements. Fourth, actual use of each element of stewardship theory were correlated with total satisfaction levels. I suggest that more use of stewardship theory elements such as trust, hands-off strategies, and substantial discretion, could improve the university-agent relationships. Policymakers, U.S. universities, and agents should seek possible ways to use a combination of strategies in international-student recruitment practices. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]