Australia or USA: Which is the Better Country to Study?

The USA and Australia are two of the most popular destinations for international students. If you have a preference for English-speaking countries, both seem to be a good enough option. However, both countries offer different values, and you need to choose wisely. Making the decision between Australia or the USA, which is the better country to study and for your career can be challenging, and we’re here to help.

The United States has been an education hub for some years now. The number of international students is about 1 million, and India claims the highest share: over 200,000. Australia has gained popularity in recent years as a center of education. The number of international students in Australia set a new record this year, reaching over 700,000.

Let us take a look at Australia vs the USA, which is better, what each country has to offer, and which would be the right choice for students.

Top Universities: Australia and USA

Australia has a total of 43 universities, including two foreign universities, one private university and 40 public universities. Of these, six rank among the top 100 institutions in the world. Australia is renowned for its reputable education system that emphasizes hands-on learning and practical knowledge, producing skilled graduates ready for the workforce. The top ten institutes in the country are:

The universities in the United States consistently rank among the best in the world, with half of the top 20 institutions being from the USA. Additionally, the USA is a world leader in many areas of technology and research. The most popular universities in the USA include:

US vs Australia: Tuition Fees and Cost of Living

The tuition fee for universities in Australia typically ranges from AUD 20,000 to AUD 50,000, which is equivalent to INR 10.77 lakh - 27 lakh. On the other hand, most American universities cost anywhere between USD 8000 and USD 55,000 (INR 6.7 lakh - 46 lakh), depending on the course, duration and institution type (public or private).

So, Australia or the USA, which is the better country to live in terms of money? The living cost in Australia is cheaper than in the USA, with the average being 25,000 AUD (INR 13.5 lakh) per year. In the United States, you can expect to spend anywhere between USD 10,000 to 25,000 (INR 8.35 lakh - 21 lakh), depending on where you live.

Scholarships

Both Australia and the United States provide financial assistance to international students, based on different criteria such as merit, financial need, refugee status, etc.

Some of the scholarships available for students in Australia are:

University of Queensland India-Australia BEL Excellence Scholarship: A 100% fee waiver up to three semesters for Master’s students from India in Business, Economics and Law Studies. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic excellence.

University of Adelaide Ashok Khurana Scholarship for Indian Students: Awarded to one Indian student in full-time post-grad in selected areas. A stipend of A$30,000 is awarded to cover airfares, living expenses and tuition fees. Additionally, the student will receive a 50% reduction in the tuition fees.

Melbourne Research Scholarship: A stipend of $37,000 per year paid to about 350 students, automatically considered, on a fortnightly basis for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree in any area.

Deakin International Scholarships: 25% of tuition fees awarded to a prospective international student for a coursework degree at Deakin University. The student should have achieved at least 65% average (or equivalent) in previous studies.

Sydney Scholars India Scholarship: Valued at up to $100,000, it covers the cost of tuition fees, living expenses, flights, textbooks and health cover. Awarded to exceptional Indian students enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree.

Scholarships students in the USA can avail include:

2025-2026 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships: Will provide J-1 visa support, international travel., funding for tuition and fees, living and related costs, and accident and sickness coverage per U.S. Government guidelines.

Tata Scholarship Cornell University: An endowment worth 25 million distributed among approximately 20 deserving undergrad Indian students on the basis of merit and financial need.

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship: Financial support including tuition fees, international travel, and living expenses awarded to five Indian nationals who commit to returning to India after MBA from Stanford.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships: $100,000 (INR 83,53,735) to Indian students under the age of 30 doing full-time Masters, M.Phil or Doctoral degree courses, awarded on the basis of merit.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship: Covers tuition fees and living expenses of Indian post-grad students in the form of half grant and half loan on the basis of merit and financial need.

Top Courses in Australia

The most popular courses for international students in Australia are listed below.

Top Courses in USA

The most popular courses for international students in the USA are listed below.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements and academic prerequisites can vary, depending on the course and university.

The requirements for most Australian universities include:

• For the diploma level, you need at least 60% marks in your 12th examination.
• For a Bachelor’s degree, the minimum score needed in the 12th examination is 65%.
• All Australian universities accept the three-year graduation degree for admission to postgraduate.
• The English language proficiency requirement is 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent.

The eligibility requirements for most universities in the US include:

• Complete 12 years of pre-university education for admission to undergraduate courses.
• Complete 3-4 years of undergraduate for admission to postgraduate courses.
• A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 for Bachelor’s degree and 6.0 for Master’s.
• GRE or GMAT exam, if required.

Student Life in USA vs Australia

The general approach to higher education differs a lot in the two countries. With the USA being more flexible with choosing and changing Majors, and Australia having academic degrees that are more specialized. So the answer to which education is better between Australia and the USA depends on your preference.

Let’s take a look at life in Australia vs life in the USA for Indians. The two countries offer great value not only in terms of education and career opportunities, but also student life. There are about 18 cities marked as student-friendly cities in the US, including New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, among others. Most students live on-campus, and the campuses are lively, with a number of clubs, groups, sorority houses, and other activities to promote socialization. The staff is supportive and encouraging. There are a lot of opportunities and much exposure to pursue your interests in the USA.

Seven cities in Australia are ranked among the top 100 Best Student Cities by QS. These include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, etc. International students are offered support to help them adjust to the new environment. It is more common to live off campus in Australia, in private rentals or homestays, and socialize within one’s community.

Employment and Average Salary after Studying in USA and Australia

Australia or the USA, which is the better country to earn money? Students graduating from the USA and Australia find ample opportunities for employment in various sectors. Most universities in the US provide placement support and in-campus placements, while in Australia job fairs are more common.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average salary in the USA is USD 76,770 (INR 64 lakh) per year.

The average salary in Australia is around AUD 90,000 (INR 48.5 lakh) per year.

The question arises, Australia or the USA, which is better for IT jobs? As a matter of fact, the United States has constantly ranked higher in the tech sector, in terms of employment opportunities as well as ROI.

Student and Work Visa in Australia vs USA

The processing time for visa applications is comparatively shorter in Australia than the USA. An application fee of 630 AUD (INR 34,000) is required. The documents required for student visa (subclass 500) in Australia include:

• Passport
• Completed application form
• Educational Credential Assessment report
• Birth certificate
• Good Character Certificate
• Proof of nomination, if applicable
• Results of the IELTS or PTE exam
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Spouse's skill-related documents, if necessary

Once you have applied to and been accepted by a SEVIS-approved institute in the USA, you can start the visa application process. It is recommended that you apply months in advance, as the processing can take a long time. The application fee is 160 USD (~INR 13,000) and the SEVIS fee is 350 USD (~INR 29,000). Additionally, there’s an in-person interview, which is the final step. The documents required for a student visa (F1 visa) in the United States include:

• Passport
• A recent photograph as per specifications
• The confirmation page of the DS-160 Visa Application Form, stamped by the Visa Application Center (VAC)
• Receipt as proof of visa application fee payment
• The original Notice of Action-I-797 Visa Interview Appointment Letter

Both countries offer work permits to international students after the completion of their studies. In the USA, you can apply for Optical Practical Training (OPT), which allows you to stay in the country for up to a year. In Australia, you can avail the 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa after graduation, which remains valid for four years.

Permanent Residency in Australia vs US

In Australia, the eligibility for PR is determined based on point requirements. The points are calculated based on your age, occupation, qualifications, work experience, etc. A minimum of 65 points is required to apply for a PR, though having a score of 85 and above would make the process easier.

In the United States, getting a PR, or “Green Card” is a lengthy process. The minimum requisite is to be employed in the country for at least 5 years. As per USCIS, the processing time can span between a year and a half to three years, though the duration may vary depending on several factors.

Climate

The climate is an important factor when it comes to the choice between Australia vs the USA for international students. Both countries have variable weather conditions owing to their large sizes. Australia has a pleasant climate in the tropical areas with hot summers and bearable winters. The temperatures in the USA can go to extreme highs in summers and extreme lows in winters, with only some areas experiencing a mild climate throughout the year.

Recent Developments: Migrating to Australia Made More Difficult?

The Australian government recently announced some remarkable changes in their immigration policies, which can affect student migration as well. Australia allows for an 8-year stay after the completion of a diploma or degree, which has resulted in migrants overstaying in the country. To discourage the immigration of people who come to work rather than study, the government has introduced reviews that have had a significant impact on the international education sector. Since last February, visa grants have consequently gone down by 35%.

Some of the changes include increasing the English language proficiency requirement for the Student 500 visa grant from an IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.0, implementing a “Genuine Student” test, increasing the amount of money international students need to prove before entering the country, and reserving the authority to suspend high-risk education providers from enrolling international students, among others.

The further impact of these reviews remains to be seen, and there is reason to expect more policies to curb immigration.

Conclusion

The decision to study in the USA or Australia depends on a number of factors, from your budget to how much flexibility you need in your choice of courses. The universities in the USA typically cost more than Australia and the average salary in the former is also higher, as shown below.

ROI in Aus vs ROI in USA:

While the USA is more expensive than Australia, it also has more high-ranking universities and promises higher RoIs. If you already know what you want to specialize in, Australian institutes offer more focused courses. If you wish to try out a few courses before you settle, it is easy to change your course in the US, if done in due time. Both the countries provide supportive environments for international students. All this to say, in Australia vs the USA, which is better depends not just on numbers, but on your career goals.

It is crucial to make the right choice for your career—choose wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions