Study Abroad Content Specialist
United States and Canada are two of the most popular study destinations to pursue MS among international students. More than 570 universities in USA offer MS degrees in a diverse range of disciplines. Meanwhile, over 50 universities offer MS degrees in Canada. The MS in USA typically has a duration of 2 years across top universities like Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Princeton and Caltech. On the other hand, MS in Canada lasts between 1-2 years depending on the number of credits and curriculum.
- The annual tuition fee for MS degree ranges between 30,995 - 133,600 USD (26.09 lakhs - 1.12 cr INR) in USA and 9,690 - 66,010 CAD (5.87 lakhs - 40.01 lakhs INR) in Canada.
- Post completion of an MS degree in the USA, one can get a work permit of 1 year for non-STEM courses and 2 years for STEM designated courses.
- Those with an MS degree in Canada can receive a work permit of up to 3 years after graduation.
- GMAT/GRE are not mandatory for MS in both the USA and Canada. However, these tests are highly recommended if you are applying to top universities.
- The most popular MS disciplines in USA include computer science, data science, mechanical engineering, business analytics and life sciences. Computer science, human resource management, finance, engineering are the most popular MS disciplines in Canada.
Top Universities for MS in USA vs MS in Canada
The top universities offering MS in the USA are listed among the top 10 universities worldwide in the latest THE World University Rankings. The top Canadian universities for MS are listed among the top 250 universities in the world by THE Rankings 2025. Given below is comparison top universities for MS in USA vs MS in Canada based on world rankings:
| THE Rankings 2025 | Top Universities in USA | THE Rankings 2025 | Top Universities in Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Stanford University | #21 | University of Toronto |
| #2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #41 | The University of British Columbia |
| #3 | Harvard University | #45 | McGill University |
| #4 | Princeton University | #=116 | McMaster University |
| #7 | California Institute of Technology | #=116 | University of Alberta |
| #8 | University of California | #125 | University of Montreal |
| #10 | Yale University | #=163 | University of Waterloo |
| #=14 | University of Chicago | #=191 | University of Ottawa |
| #16 | Johns Hopkins University | #201-250 | University of Calgary |
| #=14 | University of Pennsylvania | #201-250 | Western University |
Admission Requirements for MS in USA vs MS in Canada
The requirement to study MS degree in USA and Canada may also differ, which are as follows:
| Category | Requirements for MS in USA | Requirements for MS in Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Requirements | 4 year bachelor's degree with 3.0-3.5(85-90%) | 4 year Bachelor’s degree with A Grade (80%) or at least B+ Grade (76-79%) |
| English Language Requirements | TOEFL IBT- 100 | IELTS- 6.5-7.5 | IELTS- 6.5-7.0 | TOEFL IBT- 86-93 |
| GRE Requirements | 300-331 | 300 or better |
| Documents Checklist | 2-3 LORs | Statement of Purpose | Resume or CV | 2 LORs | Letter of Intent | Resume | Research Proposal |
| Work Experience | 1-2 years may be required | Not Required |
Cost of Living and Fees for MS in USA vs MS in Canada
The total cost to study MS in USA is higher than Canada, and it may range between 55,221 to 170,415 USD (56.26 lakhs to 1.56 cr INR including living expenses. In Canada, you can expect to spend around 27,890 - 101,704 CAD (25.14 lakhs - 88.63 lakhs INR) annually for tuition fee and living expenses. The comparison of annual cost of attendance in both countries are given below:
| Expenses | Cost in USA (USD) | Cost in Canada (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $30,995 - $133,600 (26.09 lakhs - 1.12 cr INR) | $9,690 - $66,010 (5.87 lakhs - 40.01 lakhs INR) |
| Housing | $11,697 - $14,530 (9.84 lakhs - 12.23 lakhs INR) | $11,000 - $22,800 (6.68 lakhs - 13.82 lakhs INR) |
| Transportation | $1,600 - $2,652 (1.34 lakhs - 2.23 lakhs INR) | $1,000 - $1,800 (60,624 - 1.09 lakhs INR) |
| Personal Expenses | $3,213 - $9,410 (2.70 lakhs - 5.70 lakhs INR) | $1,000 - $3,000 (60,624 - 1.81 lakhs INR) |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 - $2,160 (72,749 - 7.92 lakhs INR) | $1,000 - $2,694 (60,634 - 1.63 lakhs INR) |
| Food | $6,516 - $8,063 (5.48 lakhs - 6.78 lakhs INR) | $4,200 - $5,400 (2.54 lakhs - 3.27 lakhs INR) |
| Total Estimated Cost | $55,221 - $170,415 (56.26 lakhs - 1.56 cr INR) | $27,890 - $101,704 (25.14 lakhs - 88.63 lakhs INR) |
Scholarships for MS in USA vs MS in Canada
There are a limited number of scholarships for Indian students seeking MS degrees in the United States and Canada. Some of the popular scholarships for Indian students are as follows:
| MS Scholarships in USA | Award | MS Scholarships in Canada | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Scholarships India | Tuition Fee + Living Expenses + Travel Allowance + Health Insurance | UAlberta Masters Entrance Scholarship | 17,500 CAD (10.60 lakhs INR) |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | 50% + 50% Loan for Students from Developing Countries | Gyandhan Scholarship | 1,649 CAD (1 lakh INR) |
| Education for Sustainable Energy Development Scholarship Program | 21,000 USD | Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarships | Variable |
Also Check:
| Popular Scholarships to Study in USA | Popular Scholarships to Study in Canada |
|---|
Job After MS in USA vs MS in Canada
Both USA and Canada are home to a significant number of MNCs with most popular of them being Amazon, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, Intel, J.P. Morgan, EY etc. MS graduates in the USA earn higher than Canada, with an average salary of 88,000 USD (74.14 lakhs INR) per year. Graduates with an MS degree from Canada typically have an average salary of 76,000 CAD (46 lakhs INR).
Following is the comparison of average salaries for MS jobs in USA and Canada with INR equivalent:
| Job Roles | Average Salary in USA (USD) | Average Salary in Canada (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $101,359 (85.44 lakhs INR) | $90,578 (54.79 lakhs INR) |
| Data Scientist | $101,355 (85.44 lakhs INR) | $85,122 (51.49 lakhs INR) |
| Project Manager | $87,121 (73.44 lakhs INR) | $77,156 (46.67 lakhs INR) |
| Mechanical Engineer | $86,897 (73.25 lakhs INR) | $74,094 (44.82 lakhs INR) |
| Operations Manager | $84,802 (71.48 lakhs INR) | $79,387 (48 lakhs INR) |
| Marketing Manager | $74,491 (62.79 lakhs INR) | $69,450 (42 lakhs INR) |
| Data Analyst | $73,055 (61.58 lakhs INR) | $61,990 (37.50 lakhs INR) |
| Financial Analyst | $71,149 (59.97 lakhs INR) | $61,173 (37 lakhs INR) |
Also Check:
| Jobs After MS in USA | Jobs After MS in Canada |
|---|
Both the United States and Canada are good options for pursuing an MS degree abroad. With a strong economic background, you can expect a high rate of return with handsome salaries after completion or MS degree in either of the countries. Before planning to decide where to study and MS degree, Indian students are advised to consider the above-mentioned factors and plan accordingly based on their preference.
FAQs
Ques. Which is a better option, MS in USA or MS in Canada?
Ans. The universities in USA for MS degree are ranked higher compared to those in Canada. 7 US universities are ranked among the top 10 universities in the world according to THE higher education based on research excellence, research influence, research strength and citation impact. The graduates from MS in USA also earn higher salaries than MS graduates earning in Canada. With an MS degree from the United States, you can expect an average salary of 88,000 USD (74.14 lakhs INR).
Ques. Which country is better for MS in computer science, USA or Canada?
Ans. United States is way ahead for MS in computer science program than Canada. A total of 27 US universities are listed among the top 100 universities in the world for computer science by Times Higher Education Rankings 2024. Meanwhile, only 6 Canadian universities are ranked in the top 100 rankings for computer science.
Ques. Is it worth doing MS in USA?
Ans. USA is one of the countries to pursue an MS degree due to availability of a diverse range of disciplines, research opportunities, placement year and endless job opportunities. You Can earn around 500 to 1,200 USD (42,172 - 1 lakh INR) per month just by doing part-time job in USA.
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