US vs Canada for International Students: Which One to Choose for Studying?
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Before selecting a country, consider factors like eligibility, student visas, the cost of studying, and job opportunities. 25% of the top 100 universities in the world are in America, while Canada has only 8 universities in the top 200. We have compiled some of the factors here that will help students to make an informed decision when it comes to ending the dilemma of choosing between the USA vs Canada for international students.
Country Highlights: USA vs Canada for International Students
| Parameters | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 7,741,220 sq. km | 9,984,670 sq. km |
| Capital | Washington DC | Ottawa |
| Currency | US Dollars (USD) | Canadian Dollars (CAD or CDN) |
| Total Indian Students Studying in 2021-22 | 9,48,000 | 1,80,275 |
| Total Tertiary Education Providers | 3,982 | 436 |
| Average Cost of Studying | USD 99,500 p.a. | CAD 12,000 - CAD 30,000 p.a. |
| Average Cost of Living | USD 12,000 - USD 15,000 | CAD 20,000 to CAD 30,000 |
| Permitted Part-Time Working Hours | 20 hours/week | 24 hours/week |
| Top Universities |
|
|
| Popular Job Sectors | Education | Finance | Healthcare | Technology | Retail | Law | Science | Software | Cloud Computing | Healthcare | IT Consultants | Commercial Bankers | Technology | Gasoline & Petroleum |
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Popular Courses in USA vs Canada
The following sections discuss the popular courses offered in USA and Canada both, also these are those courses which are opted for widely by international students.
Popular Courses Offered in the US
Some of the popular courses to study in the US are as follows:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Business Management
- Engineering
- Data Science
- Business Analytics
- Medicine
- Finance
- Biotechnology
Popular Courses in Canada
For those planning to study in Canada, can consider some of the following given popular courses:
- Computer Science and IT
- Media & Journalism
- Applied and Pure Sciences
- Engineering
- Health and Medicine
- Hospitality & Tourism
These are some of the popular courses for Indian students in the USA and Canada.
Top University Rankings 2025: US vs Canada
Based on QS - World University Ranking 2025, the following US universities and Canadian universities have made it to the top rankings, check out the table below:
| US Universities | QS - WUR 2025 | Canadian Universities | QS - WUR 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | #1 | #25 | |
| Harvard University | #4 | McGill University | #29 |
| Stanford University | #6 | University of British Columbia | #38 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | #10 | University of Alberta | #96 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #11 | University of Waterloo | #115 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | #12 | Western University | #120 |
| University of Chicago | #21 | University of Montreal | #159 |
| Princeton University | #22 | University of Calgary | #198 |
| Yale University | #23 | McMaster University | #176 |
| Johns Hopkins University | #32 | University of Ottawa | #189 |
For the year 2025, the above-given universities have been ranked by QS. Most US universities have made it to the top 50 compared to Canadian universities. Check out the full list of rankings at the top 100 universities globally.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Admission Requirements to Study in USA vs Canada
International students applying for admission to USA or Canada will have a certain set of admission requirements based on the level of course of choice opted for, and students must be able to fulfil the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for admission. The section below discusses these requirements in detail:
Admission Requirements for USA
For undergraduate (UG) courses, you need to have completed 12 years of schooling. To get admission, though, you need to appear for the SAT exam or ACT exam. Students can submit their SAT or ACT scores based on preference in the applications for admission. Check out: Which is Easier? SAT vs ACT
In postgraduate (PG) courses, you need 16 years of education. For Indian students, it translates to 12 years of schooling and four years of undergraduate education. But since most Indian colleges offer three years of education at the UG level, you might need to take up a one-year course to cover up the difference. If you have studied at a premier Indian institute, some US universities might also accept your three-year degree, although the cases are rare. You can check with the university’s admissions cell and ask about your case. To get admission in management courses, you must appear for the GMAT, and in science courses, you need to take the GRE.
There are no cutoffs for colleges, so you must score the best you can in all the exams. Colleges provide average scores accepted to different courses on their websites. That will give some idea about what’s considered a good score. You must also appear for language exams like TOEFL or IELTS, regardless of degree. Even if the colleges may not require any language test for Indian students, you should still take TOEFL or IELTS as they are important for getting a visa.
In the case of an MBA, you might be required to have a few years of work experience along with a minimum score in GRE or GMAT as set by the respective US university.
Admission Requirements for Canada
For admission to Canadian universities for undergraduate (UG) courses, you need to have completed 12 years of schooling. To get admission, though, you need to appear for the SAT exam. the duration for degree courses is four years, and that of a diploma is two to three years.
In postgraduate (PG) courses, getting admission to vocational courses is easier as the admission criteria are much more relaxed. To get admission for management degrees, you must appear for GMAT, and for engineering degrees, you need to take the GRE.
The concept of cutoffs doesn’t apply to Canadian colleges. Colleges provide average scores accepted to different courses on their websites. That will give some idea about what’s considered a good score. You must also appear for language exams like TOEFL or IELTS, regardless of degree. Some colleges may not require language tests for Indian students, but you should still take either TOEFL or IELTS as they are important for getting a visa. If the visa interviewer is unsure of your spoken skills, they may not grant you a visa.
Cost of Studying Comparison: USA vs Canada
This section sheds light on the cost comparison for international students studying in the USA or Canada in terms of studying and living. All costs are subject to change without prior notice; hence, students are still advised to check them before making decisions. Check out the cost of living in USA along with study costs, and living costs for Canada including its studying costs in the following section based on the level of study.
Costs for UG Courses USA vs Canada
The following table throws light on the cost of pursuing an undergraduate course in the USA or Canada along with a rough estimate of the living costs:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate course in US |
Undergraduate course in Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
BTech: Rs 26.98 Lakhs per year |
BTech: Rs 21.92 Lakhs per year |
| Duration of course |
4 years |
4 years |
| Total |
Rs 37.48 Lakhs per year |
Rs 29.02 Lakhs per year |
(Source: Studyabroad.shiksha.com)
Cost of PG Courses in the USA vs Canada
The following table shows the widely opted MS courses' costs for studying in both USA and Canada. However, the costs may vary per choice of specialisation as well. Read on for major details:
| Particulars |
Postgraduate course in US |
Postgraduate course in Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
MS: 23.61 Lakhs per year |
MS: 11.29 Lakhs per year |
| Duration of course |
2 years |
1-2 years |
| Total |
Rs 34.11 Lakhs per year |
Rs 18.39 Lakhs per year |
(Source: Studyabroad.shiksha.com)
Also Read:
Cost of Living in Canada vs US
US vs Canada cost of living is different for the two countries. Applicants who plan to study in either US or Canada can have a rough idea of the living costs. The actual cost of living may also vary based on the applicant's study location. Roughly, the cost of living in Canada vs US is as follows:
- Cost of Living in USA: INR 10.5 Lakhs - INR 11 Lakhs (annually)
- Cost of Living in Canada: INR 12.5 Lakhs - INR 13 Lakhs (annually)
Applicants must note, that the Canada vs US cost of living is a rough estimate. The cost of living will vary on city of study in these countries and personal expenses.
Student Visa in USA vs Canada
To study in USA or Canada, international students who accept their admission offers must apply for a student visa. Students can only study in the USA or Canada if the student visa application is accepted. The following section describes the student visa requirements.
US Student Visa Requirements
A full-time US student visa is called an F1 visa. This visa has the following regulations -
- Students applying for a program requiring more than 18 hours of study need an F1 visa. Under this, all undergraduate and graduate programs are included.
- To apply for an F1 student visa, you must have major documents showing your personal information, professional documents, academic background, and financial documents.
- It costs $185 to apply for this visa and the SEVIS fee of $350.
- You cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, breaks and summer sessions, the student may work up to 40 hours per week. The student can only work on-campus for a commercial firm that provides services to the college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria.
Student Visa Requirements for Canada
The Canadian student visa has the following regulations -
- If a student wishes to take academic, professional, or vocational training at a university, college, or any other educational institute in Canada, he/she requires a study permit. It is issued to students when they reach Canada. International students cannot study in Canada without getting a valid study permit.
- You can apply for a Canadian student visa only if a designated learning institute has accepted you. You need to prove you have enough funds to pay your tuition and living expenses. Also, prove that you have a clean background and no criminal record by providing proof of police certification.
- The cost of a Canadian student visa is CAD 150.
- The visa application process to Canada requires a compulsory medical test for Indian applicants.
- You cannot work more than 24 hours per week on a Canadian student visa during university holidays.
Post-Graduate Work Visa in USA vs Canada
International students who wish to stay back after graduation or postgraduate to work full-time will have to apply for a post-graduate work visa in the USA and Canada. More details in the respective sections below:
US Post-Graduate Work Visa
If students want to stay back in the US to gain practical knowledge in their subject, they can do so through OPT. It is temporary employment permission allowing students to gain practical experience in their field of study for 12 months. After enrolling for at least 9 months, you can apply for OPT but cannot begin employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document.
The Student Co-Op Program is a formally structured program that intends to recruit students while still in school to fill permanent positions upon graduation. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities. In most cases, you must apply for a work visa upon getting a permanent full-time job.
Students who study STEM courses are given a stay back of 3 years. Check out about STEM OPT Extension in detail.
Check: Post-Study Work Permit in the USA
Canada Post-Graduate Work Visa
The Canadian Post Graduation Work Visa allows students graduating from any post-secondary institute to work post-studying for an uptime period depending on the duration of their course to a maximum of three years. Under this work permit, the student can work in any field or industry.
Also Read: Post Study Work Permit in Canada
Popular Jobs in Canada vs USA
There are certain jobs in Canada and the USA that are popular and in high demand. These popular jobs based on the respective countries are as follows:
Popular Jobs in the USA
The popular job sectors in the USA are:
- Information Technology
- Real Estate
- Healthcare
- Education
- E-commerce
- Tourism
Check out: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in USA
Popular Jobs in Canada
Some of the in-demand jobs in Canada are:
- Web Developer
- Registered Nurse
- Marketing Manager
- Engineer
- HR Manager
- IT Project Manager
- Pharmacist
Check out: Top Highest Paying Jobs in Canada
Permanent Residency in USA vs Canada
Many international students look forward to applying for a PR once they finish their university-level education and find a full-time job. In USA there are Green Card holders and in Canada, there is Express Entry. More information is elaborated on below:
PR in the US
A permanent residency option is possible, but it is a long and slow process. It is a complicated process and requires the person applying for it to reside in the US for at least five years on the grounds of employment. After that, you will be granted a “Green Card”, but the process might take years to complete.
A green card holder is a permanent resident authorised to live and work in the US permanently. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants a permanent resident card, also known as the “Green Card”, as proof of status.
PR in Canada
During this period of Post Graduation Work permit, you can apply for Permanent Residency under the Canadian Experience Class. Since the country is sparsely populated, there is a shortage of highly skilled employees. Compared to most other countries, getting PR in Canada is easy.
Scholarships to study in USA vs Canada
Since it's very expensive to study in the USA and in Canada for international students, one way of cutting down on tuition costs is through scholarships. Not all scholarships offered in the USA or Canada are applicable for international students, hence, there are other ways of supporting one's studies then. Following are a couple of scholarships offered for international students in the USA and Canada:
Climate in USA & Canada
International students shifting to study in the US or Canada should know about the climate conditions to be able to adjust and carry along with them suitable sets of clothing.
US Climate
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: What are the requirements for admission into Purdue?
Purdue University application must have the following components:
Undergraduate Admissions
- The application itself
- Purdue-specific questions from the application
- Self-reported high-school grades
- Self-reported SAT or ACT scores (if applicable)
- Application fee
Steps to apply for Purdue University Undergraduate Courses
- First of all, complete and submit a Common application as per the Purdue University application deadlines
- Make sure that Purdue University receives all material required to complete the application
Graduate Admissions Steps
- Firstly, check Purdue University entry requirements
- Then, create an application account to start the application
- Choose the campus and course as per the preference
- Then, submit the results of the tests needed for the graduate program
- Prepare the additional documents based on the graduate program
- Lastly, pay the non-refundable application fee to submit the application. Purdue University graduate application fee is USD 75 for international applicants
Q: What IELTS score is required for UCW Canada?
Yes, the minimum English proficiency requirements for admission in the University of Canada West are:
| TEST | MINIMUM OVERALL SCORE | MINIMUM WRITING SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS – Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| IELTS – Indicator | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| CAEL | 70 | 60* |
| CAEL Online | 70 | 60* |
| CAE* | 176 | N/A |
| Duolingo* | 110 | 100* |
| Password | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| PTE – Academic | 61 | 60 |
| TOEFL – iBT | 88 | 20* |
*The minimum writing score is also applicable to all assessed components of the test.
*May be either of the following three tests; Cambridge B2 First; Cambridge C1 Advanced; or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
*After July 31, 2023, UCW will only accept Duolingo from applicants from Ukraine, Russia, Iran and Belarus. However, UCW may accept Duolingo from applicants in other countries where no other English proficiency test is available. If an applicant is submitting a Duolingo test score from any country other than Ukraine, Russia, Iran or Belarus, they must send it along with an explanation letter, but acceptance is not guaranteed. All other applications with a Duolingo result submitted after July 31, 2023 will be returned.
*Writing is assessed as the average score for achievement in both Literacy and Production.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What is the tuition fees at University of Minnesota Morris?
Q: Is University of Minnesota Morris hard to get into?
According to various sources, University of Minnesota Morris has an acceptance rate of around 78% making it moderately selective for admissions. Some of the general admission requirements for international students are given as follows:
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Ranks
- Additional Academic Record
Students are required to apply for admission according to the deadlines given on the official university website.
Q: How much time is required for an offer letter by St. Clair College, Canada?
International students can apply for St. Clair College admission through the college official portal and submit the required application material before the equal consideration deadline. As application received after the deadline are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The admission decision on acceptance to the college can take anywhere between 2-6 weeks. However, there is no special mention about admission decision timeline, it is recommended to reach out to the college for further clarity.
The US is a huge area of land and has varied temperatures and climates in different areas. The East Coast has a warm climate and covers cities like California and Arizona. The Midwest and New England regions have frozen winters and cover cities like Chicago and Boston. The Pacific Northwest has a humid oceanic climate and covers cities like Seattle, and Portland. The Southwest has a hot desert climate and covers cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas. The southeast has a warm to hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston, and New Orleans.
Canada Climate
Weather in Canada varies widely depending on where you are. Canada stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic, covering five time zones. In Toronto, winter is milder than in most Canadian cities, yet still cold and snowy. Montreal weather is cold and snowy in the winter. Usually, the country experiences pleasantly cool summers.
Which One to Choose for Studying - USA or Canada?
After reading the guide, are you stuck on US and Canada options? A comparative study of the US and Canada for Indian students is as follows to understand in depth about USA or Canada which is better for international students:
Academic Legacy & Prestige:
- With the USA leading, 25% of the world's top 100 universities are housed within its bounds.
- In addition, 8 of them feature in the 200 in Canada.
When it comes to prestige and universal recognition, the US outruns Canada.
Cost Consideration:
- Tuition fees in Canada are much lower; other expenses work out around ₹7.4-18.5 lakhs per year for Canada, while the USA costs over ₹82.6 lakhs/year.
- But the living cost in Canada is a little more than that in the US: ₹12.5 to 13 lakh/year for the former and ₹10.5 to 11 lakh/year for the latter.
Overall, Canada is a much better bet regarding financial returns for education.
Work Opportunities & Immigration:
- Work restrictions on students are more relaxed in Canada (24 hours/week compared to US'=20).
- In Canada, post-study work permits are issued for a maximum term of 3 years for all graduates.
- There are restrictions of up to one year in the USA (or 3 for STEM degree holders).
The permanent residency immigration forum is simpler and easier in Canada than in the US, which is much more complex.
Student Experience:
- The larger Indian population in the USA (948,000) versus Canada (180,275).
- There is indeed a wide range of jobs available in both the US and Canada, the majority of them in more diverse sectors in the US.
- More scholarship options for international students in the US. (List of US Universities Offering Financial AId to Students)
- The visa processing in Canada is cheaper and easier.
Thus, applicants can:
- Choose the USA if you put prestige and diverse career options before financial burdens.
- On the contrary, choose Canada if you are more certain of the effective budgeting for education and an easy immigration path.
Although both countries provide good education and excellent career opportunities upon graduation, Canada currently charges ahead regarding all-around experience and opportunities for Indian students to settle in. The last word must finally shape up into your long-sought aspirations concerning career goals, financial lift, and long-term options.
Hence, USA or Canada which is better for international students can vary from person to person. Applicants can understand which is better for them based on
If applicants have more queries, they can write to us in the comments below. Also, they can seek free counselling from our team of expert counsellors by signing up at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and requesting a callback.
USA vs Canada: Country Comparison FAQs
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Q. Is it better to do masters in USA or Canada?
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Q. What are the benefits of studying in the US?
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MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.