MS in US vs MS in Canada for Indian Students

Confused between MS in US and MS in Canada? To broaden your choice options we have curated an article for you to understand MS in US vs MS in Canada in detail. Here you will find the best country for MS in either USA or Canada. Check out the article to understand in detail which option suits you the best. 

Pursuing a master’s degree abroad is a goal which a lot of international students have, and pursuing an MS from either US or Canada is one big question which has no boundaries for rigorous discussions. Indian students were pursuing an MS in the US in comparison to Indian students pursuing an MS in Canada have always been similar. However because the US is a preferred country, more applicants apply to US for MS but acceptance rates are not very high. The next best option for pursuing an MS is Canada. So applicants have to ensure where they want to study based on their choice of course and university.

While the US has renowned MS courses, a higher number of US universities offer more specialisations, on the other hand, there are limited Canadian universities and yet admit a higher number of international students because they offer scholarships to 70% of students which helps students in covering their study costs. Canada offers an easier PR through its express entry, the US on the other hand doesn’t give PR easily to international students.  

MS in the US vs Canada have a lot in common, while there are a lot of similarities in course curriculum and structure, there are dissimilarities too in terms of specialisation options, cost and post-study work options. Students who are confused about applying for an MS in the US or Canada can read this article to understand the options they have and can choose whatever suits them the best. 

MS in US vs Canada Highlights 

Check:

• International Student Guide to the US
• International Student Guide to Canada

Top Ranking MS Universities in US & Canada 

The following table summarizes the top-ranking universities in the US and Canada which offer an MS to international students, rankings are as per the QS World University Rankings for the year 2025: 

Cost of Studying MS in US vs Canada 

The costs of studying in US and Canada are quite different from each other. The cost of studying in the US is slightly higher than the cost of studying in Canada. The following section throws light on the cost of studying MS in US vs Canada for Indian students: 

• The tuition fee for MS in the US for Indian students is INR 23.61 Lakhs per annum approx. Get more details at cost of studying MS in the US for Indian students about MS course fees in the US, universities wise.  
• Whereas, the tuition fee for MS in Canada for Indian students is approximately INR 11.29 Lakhs, charged annually. 

Cost of Living in Canada vs US 

The cost of living in Canada vs US for Indian students pursuing an MS varies. The cost of living in Canada is around INR 6 Lakhs. While the cost of living in the US for Indian students pursuing an MS degree is INR 9 Lakhs annually.  

Note: The tuition rates may change without prior notice by the respective US or Canadian universities. However, the living costs depend upon the rate of inflation and current rates in the country of study and residence for international students.   

Jobs & Salaries After MS in US vs Canada 

On average, an MS grad from Canada can earn around CAD 40,000 - CAD 120,000 annually. Whereas a US MS grad can earn up to USD 250,000 per annum depending upon the job role he/she gets. Following is a set of popular job roles which yield higher incomes annually in both the US and Canada: 

As per the data in the table above, it can be noted that average annual salaries for MS graduates in the US have higher salaries in comparison to those who completed their masters in Canada. Thus, the US is definitely higher in terms of ROI for its postgraduates.  

Post-Study Work Visa in US vs Canada 

The post-study work permit in the US is offered to international students where they can stay for one year after completing their studies and look for a full-time job opportunity. Students who have studied a non-STEM course are eligible for this visa too and can request an extension too. 

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program or PGWPP in Canada is offered to international students based on their course’s study duration. If the course is two years long, then a PGWP can be applied for a duration of three years. While applying for this visa, students must have a valid student visa in Canada and they must not exceed 180 days after course completion to apply for this visa. 

To conclude, both the US and Canada are the top destinations where international students apply to study at large, especially the Indian students' crowd. More than 13% of the students studying an MS in the US are from India and 20% studying an MS in Canada are from India indicates the value of education in these countries and their universities.  

Which One to Choose: MS in US vs MS in Canada?

While there are multiple options, the choice between the two can be a herculean task. But based on facts here is how you can choose the best MS option for you:

Advantages of MS in USA

• USA offers a wide number of MS courses across its 800+ universities, thus, there is a broader range of options to choose from.
• Some of the top-ranking US universities offer courses to Indian students to pursue an MS in USA, which is an added advantage. Check out the list of Top 100 MS US Universities 
• After graduating with an MS from US, graduates can find higher salaried jobs. Check out: Top Paid Jobs in USA

Advantages of MS in Canada

• The cost of studying MS in Canada is lower than that of USA.
• Secondly, acceptance rates in Canadian universities are higher than that of US universities offering an MS course.
• Also, more students receive scholarships in Canada while pursuing an MS in comparison to those pursuing an MS in USA. 

Thus, based on these pointers, applicants can take a call on which country suits them the best for pursuing MS. If you are still stuck between what to choose for MS in Canada or US, get in touch with our team of counsellors at https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply.