Picking which country to move to study in is undeniably a life-changing decision. While Canada, the USA, and Australia are all very popular study destinations, each one naturally has its own set of pros and cons.
Here's a comparison chart to help you assess the different variables that are critical to consider:
Factors |
Canada |
US |
Australia |
Number of colleges in the top 100 (as per usnews.com) |
3
|
41
and more. |
8
|
Admission requirements |
For undergraduate courses, you must have completed 12 years of schooling. To get admission, you must appear for the SAT or ACT exam. IELTS scores of 6.5 |
American universities require transcripts, test scores of standardized tests like SAT/ACT, and English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) |
All universities expect 12 years of pre-university education. TOEFL or IELTS is required, but not mandatory. |
Length of undergrad |
Three to five years |
It is usually four years of full-time study. |
A bachelor’s program in Australia is for three years. |
Cost of education |
$6,800 per year for international undergraduate students. $21,100 for international graduate students, |
American universities are expensive. No doubt about that. It still remains the world’s most popular destination for international students. The tuition fee for an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in the US is estimated to be anywhere between $20,000 and $40,000 per year. |
The estimated cost for an undergraduate degree in Australia is AUD $ 15,000 to $33,000 per year. |
Scholarships |
Below are some of the popular scholarships in Canada: Gold Standard Scholarship International Major Entrance Scholarships Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship |
Below are some of the popular scholarships in the US: Fulbright Foreign Student Program Preply Scholarship East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme |
Below are some of the popular scholarships in Australia: Endeavor Postgraduate Scholarship Awards Macquarie University International Scholarship International Postgraduate Research Scholarship Australian Leadership Awards |
Cost of living |
On average, you need around $7,000 to $10,000 to cover your living expenses. |
Student living costs in the US depend on the city they reside in. On average, the estimated living cost for a student is anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000 per year. |
You have to shell out at least $14,000 for a year in Australia. |
Part-time work opportunities |
Students can work 20 hours a week in a part-time capacity. |
Students can work up to 20 hours a week during the course of the semester. |
International students can work up to 20 hours every fortnight during the term. They can take unlimited hours during the term break. |
Job opportunities after graduation |
Canada provides 3 years of work permit after your education. Students can work in any industry under this work permit. It is the best option for students who want to stay back after their studies. |
The USA is strict in terms of students staying back in the country after graduation. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one way using which students can stay back. |
18 months is offered by the Australian government as a work permit. |
Immigration opportunities |
International students are entitled to apply for Canadian permanent resident status while studying in Canada, or after completion of studies. Express Entry makes international students eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit for international studies who have graduated from designated learning institutions. It qualifies you for other programs that can help with permanent residency. |
Once your OPT status expires, you shift to the H-1B visa, which is applied for by your employer. After the end of the maximum 6 years on H1-B, your employer must apply for a green card. Green card holders are eligible to apply for naturalization after 5 years. |
You can apply for the SkillSelect migration program. It can result in permanent residency. |