Studying Abroad vs Locally - Which is a Better Choice?
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The quality of higher education is a key player in shaping a student's future. Most Indian students move to study abroad after the 12th to get a top-notch education. However, the decision to study abroad or in India depends on several factors such as financial performance, academic reports of students, and more.
When it comes to studying abroad, students need compelling reasons before deciding on a country, an academic institution, and a course. When it comes to studying locally, students are more aware of the academic institution where they wish to study. There is no doubt that there are some pros and cons of studying in India vs abroad. It is a smart decision that compare both options before selecting one. In this article, we will cover all the aspects of studying abroad vs studying locally.
Studying Abroad vs Studying Locally
Studying abroad will give you an amazing experience and may positively impact your career trajectory. On the other hand, you'll be away from your home, arranging a huge amount, and settling at a new place are some challenges. So, should I consider studying in India? There are multiple elite universities and colleges at home. There you'll get high-quality and subsidized education. The biggest challenge is the opportunities are limited in India.
The following table will provide an overview of various factors that a student must consider before making a decision to study abroad or studying locally:
| Head | Studying Abroad | Studying Locally |
|---|---|---|
| Universities | As per the QS World University Rankings 2025, the top 150 universities in the world are located abroad. The top 5 universities in the world include: |
According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, the following Indian institutions were ranked at the top:
|
| Courses Options | Abroad courses emphasize practical learning. Internships, co-ops, and placements offer hands-on experience. | When it comes to studying locally, courses are focused on theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills |
| Cost of Studying | Studying abroad can be expensive. Tuition fees typically range from INR 10 lakhs to 1 Cr per year (Depending on course). | The cost of studying locally is definitely less than studying abroad. Tuition fees in public universities are significantly low. |
| Cost of Living | It will take time for a student to adjust abroad. Coming from a different culture in a new country can be intimidating in the beginning. | The best thing about studying locally is your familiarity with the local culture. It is easy to mix up even if you do not study in your hometown. |
| Career Prospectus | Studying abroad can provide a global edge and better job opportunities, as the degree from foreign universities holds higher recognition. |
Only, deegrees of premium and government educational institute get value. |
Benefits of Studying Abroad
There are multiple benefits of studying abroad. Some of the advantages of studying abroad include good career opportunities, international exposure, independence, development of confidence, better command of foreign languages, etc. In addition, if you get selected by a top-ranking university, you will have access to excellent work opportunities. Here are some points that will mention the benefits of studying abroad:
1) Career Opportunities Abroad
If you get selected by a top-ranking university, you will gain access to brilliant career opportunities and can work in big companies such as Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, Amazon, Google, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Apple, etc. As an example, the median base salary for MIT graduates was $165,000. Similarly, in the case of the University of Cambridge in the UK, the average salary of an MBA graduate was £96,429.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
2) Networking Opportunities Abroad
Most foreign universities provide facilities of career centres that help students in finding their desired employment. Most of the placements and recruitments happen with the help of networking. This process will help you build excellent professional networks that will help you in finding good internships, sandwich placements, and full-time jobs.
3) Exposure to New Cultures Abroad
Another benefit of studying abroad for Indian students includes exposure to different cultures. It helps you build lasting bonds with your peers, gain knowledge about different cultures, and improve your communication skills. It is a life-changing opportunity to study abroad.
Benefits of Studying Locally
Now that you are aware of the various advantages of studying abroad, you must understand the various benefits of studying locally as well. Some of the advantages of studying in your own country include your familiarity with the economy and job market, familiarity with the culture, ease of communication, etc. It will be easier for you to adapt in you will not have to adjust to a new culture. In addition, the cost of studying in your own country will be less compared to the cost of studying abroad.
The choice of studying abroad or studying in India is influenced by a number of variables, including one's personal preferences, career objectives, financial situation, and academic requirements. Studying abroad will give you access to study in top ranked universities in the world, improve your self-confidence and help you to learn how to live independently. On the other side, you will get limited exposure while studying in India, high competition but much affordable than studying abroad. In the end, each student should consider the benefits and drawbacks of studying abroad vs at home and then make a choice based on their own tastes and ambitions.
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.
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 is the University of Canada West acceptance rate?
As per some unofficial sources, the University of West Canada acceptance rate is 80%, which means out of every 100 applications, around 80 are selected, which makes it fairly easy to get selected into the university.
The university gives preference to students having higher grades or have exceptional academic or research experience. Hence, having higher grades increases your chance of getting selected at University of West Canada.
Here is the list of eligibility requirements to get into Canadian Universities.
Q: Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Q: Is the University of South Dakota hard to get into?
With a 99% acceptance rate, the University of South Dakota is easy to get into. The university follows an easy approach during admission. The university takes a simple admissions procedure. The high acceptance percentage does not mean that the university admits every applicant; rather, it suggests permissive admittance as compared to another university.
Students must prove themselves by scoring excellent academic scores, English proficiency requirements, and standardized test scores. Also, the university prioritizes factors, such as rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, and more.
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: How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
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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.