Canada vs India: Which is Better Country for Higher Education?

Which is a Better country for Indian students to study or work? Canada is one of the selected study destinations in the world among Indian students for higher education and work opportunities. In order to answer the question, “Canada vs India which is better?”, it is important for students to consider factors such as personal choices, job opportunities, individual circumstances, choice of lifestyle, etc.

Which is Better Canada or India? Canada is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for Indian students. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data, the major portion of International students studying in Canada are Indian. However, students often seek an answer to the question, “Is Canada a better study destination than India?” It is not difficult to understand that the reputation of the Canadian Education System is better than ours.

According to QS ranking 2026, there are four Canadian universities in the top 100 universities in the world, while the best ranking of an Indian college/university is #123. In this article, we have covered various aspects of life in Canada vs India from the perspective of international students. All this information will help you to compare both countries and choose the best one for you.

Canada vs India: Top Universities

Top Universities in Canada

The table given below provides the top universities in Canada and their QS World University Rankings 2026.

Top Universities in India

The table given below provides the top universities and colleges in India and their QS World University Rankings 2026.

Canada vs India: Cost of Studying

When we talk of Canada vs India, which is better, it is extremely important to consider the cost of studying in both countries. It is known to all that studying in India is less expensive than studying in Canada. The following details will allow you to understand how much a student needs to spend, on average, to study in Canada and India.

Cost of Studying in Canada

According to Statistics Canada, the following points can be noted when it comes to the cost of studying in Canada for Indian students:

• The average cost of pursuing an undergraduate degree in Canada for an international student is between INR 9.54 Lakhs.
• The average cost of pursuing a graduate degree in Canada for an international student is between INR 8.35 Lakhs to 27.82 Lakhs (Per Year) 2025-26.
• It is important to note that the above-given data represents an average cost. Certain courses, such as an MBA, will cost more than compared to MSc.

Cost of Studying in India

The following data (sourced from ET Online Research and published in the Economic Times) will help students gauge the cost of studying in India for the year 2025:

• The average cost of pursuing an LLB course is Rs. 7.5 lakhs.
• The average cost of pursuing B.Tech is Rs. 12 lakhs.
• The average cost of pursuing an MBBS is Rs. 45 lakhs.

These costs are average and will vary on the basis of the university and the course. Based on the above data, it can be said that students can complete their degree by spending somewhere between Rs. 7 lakhs to Rs. 45 lakhs.

Canada vs India: Cost of Living for Students

Canada vs India: Living Standard

When it comes to life in Canada vs India with respect to living standards, we can say that Canada has a higher standard of living as it offers better healthcare facilities, quality education, a safer environment, and better incomes. Here are some facts that may help in comparing both countries vis-à-vis living standards.

Canada’s score on the Human Development Index is 0.935, and it falls under the Very High HDI tier. India’s score on the HDI is 0.644, and it falls under the Medium HDI tier. It is important for students to know that HDI rankings consider the following parameters:

• Life expectancy
• Expected years of schooling
• Gross National Income per capita

From the above points, it may be inferred that Canada has a higher standard of living. However, it is essential for students to consider other factors such as personal choices, family situations, cultural ties, career opportunities, ease of living, etc, before making a final decision.

Canada vs India: Which is Better?

In order to answer the question, “Canada vs India, which is better?”, it is important for students to consider factors such as personal choices, job opportunities, individual circumstances, choice of lifestyle, etc. If a student values a high-quality lifestyle, a high cost of living, a robust social system, quality education, etc. he/she may opt for Canada. Whereas, if a student values cultural ties, a lower cost of living, family ties, etc, he/she may decide to stay back in India.

Overall, Canada is a great study-abroad destination with excellent job opportunities and high living standards. It is important for students to try seriously for the top-ranked universities in Canada in order to improve their employability and job prospects. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.