USA and Canada are the two of the most popular countries when it comes to studying undergraduate abroad. With their high standard of living, greater job opportunities, more educational provisions, these countries conceivably share a lot more in common than just a border. These factors are crucial while deciding which of these countries you want to choose for your undergraduate degree.
To ease the mighty task of choosing between them, we decided to curate a comprehensive yet an exhaustive list to help you make a more informed decision.
Major Differences Between Universities in USA vs Canada
|
USA |
Canada |
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1. More educational options due to high number of colleges and Universities |
1. Comparatively less number of colleges |
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2. Tuition rates are significantly higher averaging around $26,000 |
2. Private Universities have significantly lower tuition rates for international students as compared (around $7,000 to $22,000) |
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3. More diversity on campus since around approximately 1.09 million international students’ study in the US. |
3. Comparatively less diversity on campus with around 570,000 International students in Canada |
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4. For undergraduate degrees, the US does not require students to decide a major when they apply. Most colleges allow you time till the end of the second year to choose a major. |
4. Most Canadian Universities require you to choose a major when you apply. |
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5. In the US universities, bachelor’s degrees are designed to take four years. |
5. Most Canadian Universities offer a three-year bachelor’s degree program. |
Eligibility Requirements for USA vs Canada
The eligibility requirements for studying in USA and studying in Canada are mostly similar. They are listed as follows:
|
USA |
Canada |
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1. Compulsory to have 12 years of school study |
1. Compulsory to have 12 years of school study |
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2. SAT exam score is needed. |
2. Although common, SAT exams are not mandatorily required. |
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3. IELTS or TOEFL are both accepted in the US. |
3. IELTS is the more commonly accepted English Proficiency Language Test in Canada |
Cost of living in USA vs Canada
As compared to the US, the cost of living in Canada is lower. The costs are highlighted in the table below:
|
|
USA |
Canada |
|
Tuition fees |
$26,000 - $40,000 annually |
$7,000 - $22,000 |
|
Living expenses |
$10,000 - $ 18,000 annually |
$10,000 - $15,000 |
|
Course duration |
4 years |
3 years |
|
Healthcare |
$700-$1,000 |
$227-$600 |
Visa process for USA vs Canada
Compared to the visa application process of the US which is extremely lengthy and demanding, the application process for Canada is much simpler and shorter.
|
USA |
Canada |
|
1. A US student visa is the F1 visa for which the cost of application is 160 USD. |
1. International students opt for the SDS program or the Canada Study Permit. The cost of application for the latter is 112 USD. |
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2. A personal interview is essential. |
2. No personal interviews. |
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3. Students can stay up to 2 months after receiving their degree, unless a work permit is approved. |
3. Students have up to 180 days after receiving their degree to apply for a work permit. |
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4. Students can only work on campus for the 1st year. |
4. Students can work on campus or off campus depending on their study permit. |
Scholarship Opportunities for Undergrad in USA vs Canada
Although both countries offer a multitude of options for financial aid, Canada is more likely to offer financial aid or scholarship opportunities to international students.
| USA | Canada |
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Few of the scholarships offered to international students are:
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Few of the scholarships offered are:
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Tata Scholarship for Cornell University: A need-based scholarship provided to Indian students pursuing UG education at Cornell University. |
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Job Opportunities in USA vs Canada
Since, most of international students look forward to working in the country after completing their studies, it crucial to have the cognizance of the job market. There are some significant factors on the professional front that differentiate the two countries:
|
USA |
Canada |
|
1. Job market is relatively challenging for international candidates. |
1. Canada and the job market is vibrant and relatively more welcoming for international candidates. |
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2. It is difficult to work part-time jobs while studying in the US since one requires a separate work permit. |
2. It is easier to work part-time jobs since the study permit in Canada doubles as a work permit too. |
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3. However, one can expect higher paying jobs, as compared to in Canada, after completing a degree, especially for those in STEM fields. |
3. High paying jobs after engineering include Engineering manager, Power systems operator, Mapping technologist, Data analyst but the salaries are still lower than that of US. |
Climate in USA vs Canada
Another important factor to consider is the difference in climate in the US and Canada, while deciding where to study undergrad abroad.
|
USA |
Canada |
|
There are 11 time zones in the US, and the weather differs vastly across states. One can expect a warm climate in the East coast, the Midwest has frozen winters, the Pacific Northwest has a humid milieu, the Southwest has a hot arid desert climate and the Southeast has a warm, humid climate too. |
Stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, there are 5 time zones in Canada. The entire country usually experiences pleasant summers, but the winters are known to be very harsh. Toronto has a mild winter than the others, and winters in Montreal are cold and snowy. |
In conclusion, while there are many factors that perhaps point towards Canada being a better option for an Undergraduate course abroad, the US still has many pros when it comes to job opportunities and employment. Therefore, remember to take all of them into consideration and choose wisely.
