Several nations have developed themselves as "main attractions" for study seekers in recent times. And among them, two nations have established their prominence among the countries that provide numerous graduate, post-graduate as well as Ph.D. degrees to the students worldwide.
Of course, we're talking about Canada and the United States. Two drastically different nations with numerous remarkable parallels, the most notable of which being the unrivalled level of higher schooling.
International students can benefit from tremendous possibilities in both Canada and the United States. However, there are many important considerations to take into account while determining where to apply and study as an international student.
This article will answer every question that arises in your thoughts when choosing the best between USA and Canada by detailing what you may expect while studying in each country clearly.
You will be able to choose which nation is best for you based on higher education quality, higher education cost, quality of life, career prospects, and immigration rules. All of these factors must be considered while beginning your journey as an international student.
Canada Vs USA: Quality of Higher Education
While evaluating the quality of higher education in the United States and Canada, these two nations' university rankings results differ dramatically. As per the QS World University Rankings 2022, two Canadian universities are among the top 100 worldwide. US campuses, on the other hand, lead this rating, with 29 universities reaching the top 100 list (with 18 universities in the top 50).
However, considering university rankings, it is advisable to keep in mind that they are strongly concentrated on the production and quality of academic research at these institutions, which is simpler to assess. And not really on teaching effectiveness.
Amid the backdrop, it is reasonable to claim that the United States outperforms Canada in terms of academic research quality. However, when the quality of teaching at US and Canadian institutions are compared, both countries are nearly the same.
Therefore, if you are an international student who does not emphasise attending a top research university, the United States and Canada are a close second.
Contrarily, if you are seeking a top-ranked university that is also research-focused, the United States has more to offer.
Canada Vs USA: Higher Education Costs
Compared to US colleges, Canada has cheaper average tuition fees for overseas students. This appears to be true while comparing the total cost of higher education in public and private institutions across the United States to public and private colleges across Canada.
The cost varies according to rank, speciality, education level, and course type. Scholarships and grants are also available to students in both countries.
The yearly cost of education in Canada for overseas students ranges from CAD 7,000 to CAD 35,000.
- Undergraduate courses range from CAD 12,000 to CAD 25,000.
- Postgraduate programs: CAD 24,000 to CAD 35,000
- Doctoral Degree or PhD: CAD 7,000 to 10,000 CAD
In the United States, the typical tuition rate for an International student ranges from $8,000 to $55,000 per year. American institutions are costlier than Canadian universities in contrast.
Despite the fact that pursuing study in the United States is expensive, qualified students will have access to 100% financing.
- Bachelor's degree: between $20,000 and $40,000
- Master's degree: between $20,000 and $45,000
- PhD salary ranges from $28,000 to $55,000 per year
Canada Vs USA: Scholarships
International students in Canada are given merit and need-based fee exemptions. International students who have excelled academically are eligible for a variety of scholarships and financing opportunities.
Some well-known scholarship programs for overseas students in Canada include:
- Scholarships for International Students at York University
- Trillium Scholarship in Ontario
- Scholarship from the Province of Quebec
- Scholarships for Hani Zeini
- Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
- Erasmus Scholarship
The renowned universities in the United States are quite pricey. There are several scholarships and financing schemes available to help International students afford their education.
The following scholarship programs may provide partial or full financing to International students based on their merit & necessities.
- Chevron Scholarship
- Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship
- Global Student Scholarship
- SelfScore International Student Scholarship
- RD Sethna Loan Scholarship
Canada Vs USA: Value of Higher Education
We acquire a single comparative parameter by merging the expense and quality of higher education i.e. the value of higher education.
As an international student, studying in Canada is a better investment since the general cost of education in Canada is much lower than in the USA. At the same time, both of these countries have roughly the same level of university education.
Canada Vs USA: Lifestyle and Expenses
It is critical to evaluate the quality of life while picking where to study. This incorporates various aspects such as health care, cost of living, and weather.
When the medical expenses in both nations are compared, there is a clear winner. In general, Canadian healthcare prices are much lower than those in the United States. This is due to the fact that Canada's healthcare system is publicly supported. In comparison, the United States is primarily private.
The cost of living varies significantly among regions in both nations. As a result, there is no obvious winner here. In both nations, the cost of living is substantially greater in highly populated areas than in less crowded areas.
Other advantages of studying in a heavily populated region of the United States or Canada include lower transportation costs. For example, if you study in a city with a well-developed metro system, such as Toronto, Canada, your alternatives will be far cheaper than in Birmingham, USA.
On the other hand, the United States has a variety of climatic zones, such as warm and dry California and humid Florida. In contrast to the United States, Canada has a more homogeneous climate that is chilly and has less variance in weather.
In general, many international students choose the United States over Canada because of its diverse climatic conditions.
Canada Vs USA: Post Study Work Permit
Both Canada and the United States let overseas students work through the duration of their education in the country.
In Canada, however, there is an unrestricted work permit provision that permits overseas students to work in professions unrelated to their program of study. This is in stark contrast to the United States, where overseas students are required to have a job offer connected to their degree of study.
Additionally, once you have completed your Canadian studies, you can work in Canada utilising the Canadian Post Graduation Work Permit. This permits overseas students who have been studying in Canada for more than two years to work for up to the next 3 years.
In comparison, if they received degrees in STEM subjects, US overseas students could only work for 3 years after finishing their course.
Canada Vs USA: Jobs and Career Opportunities
When considering where to study, overseas students must consider career chances and employment opportunities. The option to work abroad before or after completing their study is a fantastic return on investment for many foreign students.
Canada and the United States are regarded as two of the world's most powerful economies. However, job marketplaces in both nations differ given the differing degrees, courses, and specialities. Based on the career prospects offered by both major economies, international students would be able to select the best destination.
Now let us look at the extent of employment in both Canada and the United States.
Jobs in banking, technology and engineering, management, medicine, dentistry, media, and nursing pay the most in the United States. The extent of these specialities and talents is vast, and they command the largest pay packages. An International student in America makes around 45,000 USD per year on average.
Career chances in Canada, on either hand, are much more promising in fields such as software analyst, finance manager, hospitality industry, construction management, machine learning, healthcare, and teaching. In Canada, new International graduates earn around CAD 30,000 per year.
When analysing population & GDP, the United States has 320 million people and a GDP of USD 21.4 trillion (2019), whereas Canada has just 35 million people and a GDP of USD 1.7 trillion.
As a result, because the United States has a far larger economy than Canada, there are significantly more job prospects in the United States than in Canada.
Canada Vs USA: PR Opportunities
The process of becoming a permanent resident in the United States is far simpler and easy than in Canada. There are a lot of requirements that need to be met before applying for permanent residency in Canada, but the good thing is that they can apply from almost anywhere in the world. You are not required to have any form of physical presence in the country, nor do you need to be physically present in the county where your application is being filed to become a permanent resident.
In order to obtain permanent residence status in the United States, you would need to file a petition along with several other supporting documents, such as proof of financial stability, medical insurance, etc., and after filing the petition, follow it up with the USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) within 90 days according to their rules.
After submitting the paperwork, you are required to wait for the results of the processing time which can take anywhere between 4 months to 10 years depending upon various factors. If approved, you could immediately start working, opening bank accounts, getting a driver’s licence, buying property and cars if applicable, and get most other benefits associated with citizenship.
On the contrary, in Canada, you need to pass a test known as CRS-10. This requires certain skills like English language proficiency, Canadian history knowledge, Canadian geography, and several others. Furthermore, you need to provide additional supporting documents related to employment, health care coverage, education, income, assets, and criminal record. However, once you are eligible for permanent residency, you can then apply for citizenship later.
This final comparison of Canada and the United States of course will assist International students in making an informed decision about studying abroad.
Is Canada better than the USA? Canada is a preferable option for International students who intend to work and settle there after finishing their studies. In comparison to the United States, the chances of obtaining a PGWP and Permanent Residency in Canada are significantly higher.
Similarly, if you just want to finish your studies, the United States of America is an excellent choice due to its famous institutions and outstanding educational system.
To make a fair conclusion, you must constantly consider the statistical count, considerations, and any other information that assists us in debating and eventually concluding! And in the end, make the finest decision possible.
