Shreyashi Pathak Study Abroad Content Specialist
Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated On - Jul 29, 2025
USA and Canada are two of the most popular study abroad destinations among international students. Both of these countries are preferred by international students due to high quality education, extensive job opportunities and multicultural environment. Before planning to choose to study in USA or Canada, you can consider factors such as university rankings, tuition fees, scholarships for international students, cost of living and job prospects after graduation.
- In the academic year 2023-2024, more than 1.1 million international students were studying in USA across 3,000 colleges, according to Institute of International Education.
- International students have contributed $44 billion into the U.S economy. Moreover, the international students have also contributed for producing more than 3,78,000 jobs across the United States.
- While in Canada, the number of international students receiving study permit rose to 1,040,985 in the year 2023. This shows both US and Canada are nearly hosting equal number of international students.
Also Read: MS in USA vs MS in Canada
Highlights
Canada vs US differences are also there in terms of living conditions, costs, salary outcomes, application time period, etc. Some popular differences to study in Canada and USA are:
| Parameters | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Indian Students Enrolled in 2024 | 331,602 | 137,445 |
| Top 5 Universities as per THE Rankings 2025 | MIT | Harvard | Princeton | Stanford | CalTech | UToronto | UBC | McGill | McMaster | UAlberta |
| Top Programs | Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Healthcare, and Nursing | Information Technology, Health Science, Engineering, Business |
| Cost of Living | $10,000 USD - $25,000 USD (₹8.44 lakhs - ₹21.11 lakhs) | $15,000 - $20,000 CAD (₹9 lakhs - ₹12.05 lakhs) |
| Average Salary | $68,124 USD (₹57,51 lakhs) | $72,800 CAD (₹43.86 lakhs) |
| Admission Intakes | Fall, Spring and Summer | Fall, Winter and Summer |
USA vs Canada Top Universities
| Universities in USA | THE World Rankings 2026 | QS World Rankings 2026 | Universities in Canada | THE World Rankings 2025 | QS World Rankings 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #2 | #1 | University of Toronto | #21 | #29 |
| Harvard University | #3 | #5 | University of British Columbia | #41 | #40 |
| Princeton University | #4 | #25 | McGill University | #45 | #27 |
| Stanford University | #6 | #3 | McMaster University | #=116 | #=173 |
| California Institute of Technology | #7 | #10 | University of Alberta | #=116 | #94 |
| Yale University | #8 | #21 | University of Montreal | #125 | #=168 |
| The University of Chicago | #=14 | #13 | University of Waterloo | #=163 | #119 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #=14 | #15 | University of Ottawa | #=191 | #219 |
| Johns Hopkins University | #16 | #24 | University of Calgary | #201-250 | #=211 |
| Columbia University | #=18 | #38 | Western University | #201-250 | #=151 |
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USA vs Canada Education System
USA vs Canada education systems also differ from each other in qualitative as well as quantitative aspects. While the United States has a monopoly in the education business, Canada is not far behind. Canada is slowly but steadily catching up to the US thanks to major universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia.
| Parameters | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration | Masters: 1.5- 2 years | Bachelors: 4 years | Masters: 1-2 years | Bachelors: 3-5 years |
| Annual Tuition Fees | Masters: $20,000 - $60,000 USD | Bachelors: $15,000 - $55,000 USD | Masters: $10,000 - 80,000 CAD | Bachelors: 7,700 - $65,000 CAD |
| Exam To Study | English Language: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and DET | Standard Test: SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT and MCAT | English Tests: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | French Tests: TEF, TCF | Standard Test: SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE and MCAT |
| Grading System | 4.0 Scale | 4.0 and 4.3 Scale |
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USA vs Canada Cost of Living
To decide among USA vs Canada better life options, an international student has to think about the cost of rent, food, transport, etc. Canada leads the way in terms of living expenses such as rent and utilities, with lower rentals and transportation costs. The cost of living in USA and Canada are given in USD value:
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Scholarships in USA v/s Canada
Despite the high prices, international students have various financial aid options to make their study abroad more reasonable. Listed below are some scholarships in Canada and USA.
| USA Scholarships | Award Value | Canada Scholarships | Award Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Scholarship | $3,500 CAD | IDRC Research Awards | $48,659 CAD |
| Tata Scholarships- Cornell University | Variable | Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program | $50,000 CAD |
| You Are Welcome Here Scholarship | Covers the tuition fees of any university | Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship | $2,000 CAD |
| East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships | Covers the tuition and accommodation expenses of a student | Anne Vallee Ecological Fund | $1,500 CAD |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Varies | Ontario Graduate Scholarship | $15,000 CAD |
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Career Opportunities USA v/s Canada
The appeal of pursuing an international degree stems from the numerous career opportunities it provides for international students. Both countries have highly appealing locations in terms of work opportunities in the USA vs Canada economy. Given below are the opportunities of jobs in USA and Canada:
Visa Policies for International Students USA v/s Canada
For decades, the United States has been known as a land of opportunity. The perspective, however, has significantly evolved during the past few years. A comparison of the visa application processes for the USA and Canada is given below:
| Visa Process | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | F1 student visa is required | SDS Visa program, or the Canada Study Permit is required |
| Application Cost | $160 USD (₹14,509) | $150 CAD (₹9,037) |
| Requirements | Personal interview, biometrics, and a medical examination. | Mandatory Biometrics and interview by invitation |
Which Country is Better for International Students USA v/s Canada
To decide upon which country is ideal for you, we recommend you to first check the USA vs Canada population in recent years. The larger the population, the more competitive it will be for you as a student. Given below are certain factors of USA vs Canada for international students that can help you decide:
- Education System: Comparing Canada to the US, the admissions and application processes are less complicated in Canada. However, there aren't many universities in Canada as compared to the US.
- Visa Application: The application for a US visa is a very difficult process. In contrast, the application process for a student visa from Canada is comparatively easier and quicker.
- Cost of Study: Canadian institutions are significantly less expensive than the US universities. Also, In terms of lodging, Canada is less expensive. In comparison to the US, Canada has a lower average cost of living.
- Employment: The average starting salary of jobs in the Canada might be lower than in the USA. However, it depends on the university, the city, the course type, and the employer. Additionally, the US offers a wider range of employment prospects than Canada.
While studying in Canada has lower prices and more liberal immigration regulations, education in the United States affords a wider range of employment and educational prospects. Based on the top five factors listed above, you can choose between the two countries. These elements include your program of choice, grades, university expectations, and so forth. USA vs Canada size also varies to a large extent. Canada has a total area of about 3,855,100 sq miles while the US has only 3,796,742 sq miles.
FAQs
Ques. Which is better for international students, the USA or Canada?
Ans. To decide upon which country is ideal for you, we recommend you to first check the USA vs Canada population in recent years. Factors such as cost of living, employment opportunities, visa process must also be considered.
Ques. How many international students apply to the USA and Canada every year?
Ans. The USA has more than 1,236,748 international students applying every year whereas Canada has approximately 6,21,565 students.
Ques. How many Indian students apply to the US and Canada?
Ans. As far as Indian students are concerned, nearly 232,851 students apply in the USA every year. Canada hosts 217,410 Indian students annually.
Ques. How is the education system in the USA and Canada different?
Ans. While the United States has a monopoly in the education business, Canada is not far behind. Canada is slowly but steadily catching up to the US, thanks to major universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia.
Ques. What is the minimum eligibility to study in the USA?
Ans. The minimum eligibility to study in the USA is an average GPA- 3.15, i.e., 83-86% and TOEFL iBT- 70, IELTS: 6.0 - 6.5, etc.
Ques. Is Canada less expensive than the USA?
Ans. Canadian institutions are significantly less expensive than at US universities. Also, In terms of living expenses, Canada costs around 14598 CAD as compared to the USA which requires around 20,038 USD
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