The United States is and will always be one of the most popular study abroad destinations for students from all over the world. However, in recent years, Canada has risen to become one of the most sought-after destinations for international students.
The United States and Canada have many similarities with a few key differences. Prospective students who are considering studying abroad must compare the advantages and disadvantages of studying in Canada against the USA.
| Category | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| No. of International Students |
1,236,748- international students |
621,565- international students |
| Top Programs | Approximately half of the international students are enrolled in STEM programs in USA. | 77,578 international students were studying Business and Administration |
| Cost of Living | USD 18,000 | USD 22,062 |
| Average Salary | 64,140 USD | 43,540 USD |
| Season Cycle | Spring: April- June Summer: July- August Fall: September- November Winter: December- March |
Spring: March-May Summer: June- August / September Fall: September- November Winter: December- February or later |
Education Facility USA v/s Canada
With over 4000 universities spread around the country, USA is home to not only Ivy League schools, but also some of the world's top ranked universities. While the United States has a monopoly in the education business, Canada is not far behind. Canada is slowly but steadily catching up to the US thanks to major universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia.
| Parameters | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Top Ranking University | #1 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology #3 Stanford University #5 Harvard University #6 California Institute Of Technology #10 University Of Chicago |
#31 Mcgill University #34 University Of Toronto #47 University Of British Columbia #110 University Of Alberta #116 Université De Montréal |
| Popular Maters Courses |
MS In Computer Science |
MS In Computer Science MS Finance MS In Psychology MS In Mechanical Engineering MS In Public Health Masters In Business Administration |
| Average Tuition Fees | Public- 30,000 Private- 37,500 |
Public- 15,500 Private- 25,000 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Average GPA- 3.15 i.e 83-86% TOEFL iBT- 70 | Average GPA- 2.7 i.e 80-82% IELTS- 6.5 |
Cost of Living USA v/s Canada
An international student also has to think about cost of living, while choosing the country to study abroad. Canada leads the way in terms of living expenses such as rent and utilities, with lower rentals and transportation costs. Student discounts are accessible practically everywhere, from restaurants to apparel stores and movie theatres.
| Cost Parameters | Cost of living per year (USD) | Cost of living per year in Canada (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 1 bedroom Apartment in City: 20,038 1 bedroom Apartment in Outside Centre: 14,862 | 1 bedroom Apartment in City: 14,598 1 bedroom Apartment in Outside Centre: 12,319 |
| Public Transport (Monthly Pass) | 840 | 930 |
| Entertainment | 2500 | 2100 |
| Internet | 814 | 761 |
| Books and academic supplies | 1170 | 1500 |
| Household & other bills | 2066 | 1605 |
Also Check: ?
Cost of living in Famous Cities USA v/s Canada
New York and Toronto are two of the world's most popular study abroad destinations. Studying in New York or Toronto might be costly, but organizing the budget carefully will help you keep track of your finances. Mentioned below is the detailed overview of the expenses:
| Expenses | New York City (in USD) | Toronto (in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre: 3,426.86 Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre: 2,229.62 | Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre: 1,636.02 Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre: 1,420.18 |
| Groceries | Milk (regular), (1 liter):1.16 Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g): 3.85 Rice (white), (1kg): 7.33 Eggs (regular) (12): 3.50 | Milk (regular), (1 liter): 2.48 Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g): 2.49 Rice (white), (1kg): 3.01 Eggs (regular) (12):2.89 |
| Meal | Inexpensive Restaurant: 25.00 Mid-range Restaurant: 100.00 Chain restaurants like McDonalds:10.00 |
Inexpensive Restaurant: 20 Mid-range Restaurant: 100.00 Chain restaurants like McDonalds:12.00 |
| Transportation | One-way Ticket (Local Transport): 2.75 Monthly Pass (Regular Price)129.50 Taxi Start (Normal Tariff): 4.00 |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport): 2.52 Monthly Pass (Regular Price): 121.03 Taxi Start (Normal Tariff): 3.34 |
| clothes | Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar): 62.57 Dress from a Chain Store (Zara, H&M,): 62.06 Pair of Running Shoes (Mid-Range): 91.41 Pair of formal Shoes: 152.29 | Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar): 62.99 Dress from a Chain Store (Zara, H&M,): 37.04 Pair of Running Shoes (Mid-Range): 92.61 Pair of formal Shoes: 96.86 |
Scholarships in USA v/s Canada
Despite the high prices, international students have various financial aid options to make their study abroad more reasonable. Listed below are some of the scholarships offered for international students in the USA and Canada.
| Scholarship | Category | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Government Funded | USA |
| IDRC Research Awards | Government Funded | Canada |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program | Government Funded | Canada |
| #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship | Non – Governmental | USA |
| East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships | Non – Governmental | USA |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Non – Governmental | USA |
| Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship | Non – Governmental | Canada |
| Anne Vallee Ecological Fund | Non – Governmental | Canada |
Also Check:
Many students studying abroad seek to work part-time in order to sustain themselves financially. Mentioned below is the comparison of process of part-time work in US v/s Canada
| Category | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Process | An application with students’ designated university official is required for working off-campus | Work permit is required for co-op programs |
| Time Allowed | 20 hours/week | 20 hours/week |
| Eligibility | The off-campus job must be related to the field of study | Work can be done under any employer regardless of the study field |
Visa Policies for International Students USA v/s Canada
For decades, the United States has been known as a land of opportunity. The perspective, however, has significantly evolved during the past few years. In the twenty-first century, immigration is no longer limited to the United States. Canada has undoubtedly has now become one of the most popular countries for immigrants to live, work, study, or settle down permanently.
| Visa Process | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | F1 student visa is required | SDS Visa program, or the Canada Study Permit is required |
| Application Cost | Cost of application for a student visa is 160 USD. | Visa fees for Canadian Student Permit is 112 USD |
| Additional Requirements | Personal interview, biometrics, and a medical examination. | Mandatory Biometrics and interview by invitation |
Citizenship in the United States can be attained after 5 years of residence through employment. In Canada, one of the PR alternatives known as the Canadian Experience Class permits international graduates to become permanent citizens after one year of skilled workers.
Career Opportunities USA v/s Canada
The appeal of pursuing an international degree stems from the numerous career opportunities it provides for international students. Both the United States and Canada are highly appealing locations in terms of work opportunities. In 2021, the average first-year income for US graduates was 48,127 USD. While the average first-year wage for university graduates in Canada was 36,895 USD.
| Job Profile | In USA | In Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Manager | 141,000 USD | 178,000 CAD |
| Financial Analyst | 126,000 USD | 160,000 CAD |
| Journalist | 110,000 USD | 137,000 CAD |
| General Manager | 161,000 USD | 220,000 CAD |
| Mechanical Engineer | 86,500 USD | 118,000 CAD |
| Business Analyst | 125,000 USD | 154,000 CAD |
Employment Opportunities US vs. Canada
The US universities outperform Canadian universities in the QS Graduate Employability (GE) Rankings 2022. Mentioned below are the top-ranked universities by GE rankings 2022:
| Universities in USA | Universities in Canada |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology- #1 | University of Toronto- #21 |
| Stanford University- #2 | University of Waterloo- #24 |
| University of California, Los Angeles- #3 | Western University- #43 |
| Harvard University- #5 | McMaster University- #81 |
| Cornell University- #9 | University of Alberta- #99 |
Which Country is Better for International Students USA v/s Canada
Education System: Comparing Canada to the US, the admissions and application processes are less complicated in Canada. However, there aren't many universities in Canada, making it difficult to get accepted.
Eligibility: Studying in Canada requires a stronger academic, technological, and research profile. Unlike the US, the majority of Canadian institutions do not prioritise the GRE.
Visa Application: The application for a visa is a very difficult process. In contrast, the application process for a student visa from Canada is comparatively easier and quicker.
Cost of Study: Canadian institutions is significantly less expensive than at US universities. Also In terms of lodging, Canada is less expensive. In comparison to the US, Canada has a lower average cost of living.
Employment: The average starting salary of jobs in the US might be higher than in Canada. However, it depends on the university, the city, the course type, and the employer. Additionally, the US offers a wider range of employment prospects than Canada.
While studying in Canada has lower prices and more liberal immigration regulations, education in the United States affords a wider range of employment and educational prospects. Based on the top five factors listed above, you can choose between the two countries. These elements include your program of choice, grades, university expectations, and so forth.
Comments