Are you someone who wants to study in Canada or USA, if yes, then this write-up is for you. It covers various aspects of Canada vs USA. So let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Both Canada and the USA are preferred by study abroad aspirants. However, there are ample factors that must be considered before choosing the right destination for you. The table below shows highlights of both the countries:
| Parameters | Canada | USA |
| Currency | Canadian Dollars (CAD)1 CAD = 61.61 INR | US Dollars (USD)1 USD = 83.52 INR |
| Indian Students in 2021-22 | 1,80,275 | 9,48,000 |
| Tertiary Education Providers | 436 | 3,982 |
| Average Cost of Studying | CAD 12,000 - CAD 30,000 p.a. | USD 99,500 p.a. |
| Average Cost of Living | CAD 20,000 to CAD 30,000 | USD 12,000 - USD 15,000 |
| Permitted Part-Time Working Hours | 20 hours/week | 24 hours/week |
| Top Universities | McGill University University of Toronto University of British Columbia University of Alberta University of Montreal | MIT Harvard University Stanford University CalTech University of Pennsylvania |
| Popular Jobs | Engineer, HR Manager, IT Project Manager, Pharmacist, Web Developer, Registered Nurse, Marketing Manager | Information Technology, Real Estate, Healthcare, Education, E-commerce, Tourism |
| Permanent Residency | While pursuing your post graduation in Canada, you can apply for permanent residency. | A person must stay in the nation for at least five years on the grounds of employment. |
These are some major factors that students consider before selecting the country to study in. Next, let us understand about education in Canada vs US for students.
Also read about : upcoming Canada intakes
Want to Know All About the Education System in Canada vs USA ?
Although, studying in the USA versus Canada varies but both countries provide excellent education. The Canadian institutions emphasize on student performance and critical thinking. However, the education system in the USA aims at competition and test scores. Moreover, both Canada and the USA are popular choices among Indian students. The major difference in the education system in both countries is:
Canada: Degrees in Canada are provided by universities, and diplomas, and certificates are granted by colleges.
USA: Colleges and universities both provide degrees, diplomas and certificates to students.
Both of these countries have differences in tuition, financial aid, and job opportunities. These factors impact the education system for Canada vs USA. Now, let us look at the eligibility criteria and requirements for the two nations.
To study in a foreign land, certain eligibility criteria must be fulfilled. Although, the admission requirements may vary depending on the type of institution and the course that you choose but below mentioned are some of the basic eligibility criteria to get into Canadian colleges.
The eligibility criteria to get into Canadian universities are mentioned in the table below:
| Degree | Requirement |
| Bachelors Degree | First class in IntermediateIELTS & TOEFL |
| Masters Degree | 1st Class in Bachelor's degree (4 Years)IELTS & TOEFL |
| Associate Degree | Engineering degree or basic science graduation degree or 2-year diplomaIELTS |
| Diploma | Minimum of Higher second class in intermediate (i.e., above 55%)IELTS & TOEFL |
The eligibility criteria to get into universities in USA are as follows:
| Degree | Requirement |
| Bachelors Degree | Academic scores of 12th Standard(Minimum GPA – 2.50 to 3. 60)TOEFL & SAT |
| Masters Degree | Bachelor’s degree(Minimum GPA – 2.50 to 3.50)TOEFL |
| Associate Degree | TOEFL scoreEnglish language program |
Now that we have covered all the admission requirements to study in America vs Canada, let us move on to the application process.
Also read about IELTS score required for Canada
The procedure to apply for admissions in Canada vs USA is more or less similar, let us look at the step-by-step procedure in detail:
Mentioned below is the process of application for international students to get into Canadian universities:
Step 1 - You must begin by choosing a course that aligns with your interests and passion.
Step 2 - Finding the college or university that offers the desired course.
Step 3 - Start filling out the application for each institution.
Step 4 - Submit all the required documents along with the proof of finances.
Step 5 - Finally, begin the application for a study permit.
The step-by-step procedure for international students to get into universities in the USA is as follows:
Step 1 - You must begin by choosing a course that aligns with your interests and passion.
Step 2 - Finding the college or university that offers the desired course.
Step 3 - Start filling out the application for each institution.
Step 4 - Submit the required documents like essays, SOP, etc.
Step 5 - Accept and start the visa application.
To get into a foreign university isn’t a cakewalk! Thus, there are experts to guide you through the process. These study abroad consultants make your journey hassle-free.
Next, let us have a glance at the cost of living and studying in both the nations.
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Call us Now !This section will answer the question that most students have, “Is Canada cheaper than America?” Various factors contribute towards the decision to select the country including the tuition costs. Besides, Canada and the USA have huge differences in the cost of studying and living. Moreover, these charges depend on the course, college and the area that you choose to live in. Now, let us go through the tables below to understand them better.
| Degree | Canada | USA |
| UG Course | CAD 13,000 to 20,000(INR 8,03,944 to 12,36,838) | $20,000 to 40,000(INR 16,72,212 to 33,44,424) |
| PG Course | CAD17,000 to 25,000(INR 10,51,312 to 15,46,047) | $20,000 to 45,000(INR 16,72,212 to 37,62,477) |
| Doctoral Programs | CAD 7,000 to 15,000(INR 4,32,893 to 9,27,628) | $28,000 to 55,000(INR 23,41,096 to 45,98,583) |
Besides, the tuition costs vary depending on the course and the degree that you choose to take. However, here are the basic costs of studying. Now, let us go through the cost of living in Canada vs USA. Here is a table below:
| Living Expenses | Canada (per month) | USA (per month) |
| Accommodation | CAD 400 to 1500(INR 24,742 to 92,786) | $800 to 900(INR 66,906 to 75,269) |
| Food | CAD 1200 to 1500(INR 74,228 to 92,786) | $17 to 42(INR 1,421 to 3,512) |
| Electricity | CAD $200(INR 12,371) | $50 to 100(INR 4,181 to 8,363) |
| Transport | CAD 100 to 150(INR 6,182 to 9,273) | $36(INR 3,010) |
Is Canada a better country to live in than the US? Although both the nations have their own pros and cons but Canada and USA are the preferred countries by students. Besides, it alsodepends on how much your pocket allows you to spend. There is no conclusion on which nation is better. You must choose a country that aligns with your dreams.
Next, let us look at the top universities in both the countries.
Here listed are some of the top universities along with their QS world ranking. These will help you decide which nation to choose Canada vs USA. Let us have a glance at the table below.
| Universities in Canada | QS World Ranking | Universities in USA | QS World Ranking |
| University of Ottawa | 189 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 |
| McMaster University | 176 | Harvard University | 4 |
| University of Calgary | 198 | Stanford University | 6 |
| University of Montreal | 159 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 10 |
| Western University | 120 | University of Pennsylvania | 11 |
| University of Waterloo | 115 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 12 |
| University of Alberta | 96 | University of Chicago | 21 |
| University of British Columbia | 38 | Princeton University | 22 |
| McGill University | 29 | Yale University | 23 |
| University of Toronto | 25 | Johns Hopkins University | 13 |
These are the top 10 colleges of United States vs Canada. Besides, if you are looking for other colleges then you can use our college predictor tool, you can get an overview of all the universities in the USA and Canada. It helps you find a suitable university as per your preferences such as stream, ranking, fees and location.
Now, let us move on to the next section wherein you will come across some of the popular courses that students take up in both nations.
The following sections discuss the popular courses offered in USA and Canada. Both the nations are highly preferred by international students.
For those planning to study in USA, can consider some of the popular courses to study there:
There are various courses that Indian students in Canada study. Here is a list of few:
These are some of the popular courses in the USA and Canada for Indian students. Moreover, you may also use our AI-powered course finder tool, uniquely designed for the filtration of more than 75,000 courses. Furthermore, it has a user-friendly interface that offers other filters as well. These include the level, duration and country in which you may enrol in. Now, let us move on to the next section, which talks about scholarships for students in Canada and the USA.
Also read about: MIS courses in USA
Financial aid is a great way to save your pockets as everything is quite expensive in a foreign land. Thus, here are some of the scholarships for international students in Canada and the US.
The table below mentions the names of the scholarships along with their features.
| Scholarship | Features |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships funded by the Government of Canada | $50,000 per year is offered to students.For students undertaking doctoral studies.It is based on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills. |
| Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship | Applicable for students opting for postdoctoral studies in health research, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.Provides $70,000 per year for 2 years. |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto | For students with great academic performance, achievements, and creativity.Given by the University of Toronto. |
| Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia | For undergraduate international students.Cover the full cost and living expenses of the scholar. |
| York University International Student Scholarship | York University offers awards ranging from $5,000 to $35,000. |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | Covers $5,000 for graduate-level students in the Ontario region of Canada. |
The table below mentions the names of the scholarships along with its features.
| Scholarship | Features |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarships | For full-time Master's, MPhil, or Doctoral program at top universities in the USA.Offers $100,000 which covers the tuition fee, living expenses, healthcare, and one-way airfare of the student. |
| Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian students | A cover of $150,000 is offered to five students every year who are pursuing their MBA program at Stanford Business School.The grant covers over 80% of the attendance cost, but the condition is that students must come back to India and work at Reliance Industries for at least two years.Candidates are evaluated based on their previous professional experience or leadership role. |
| Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowships | For students undertaking a master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral degree in the USA.Students must have an outstanding academic and professional performance.They also receive support regarding visa processing, health insurance, and a comprehensive pre-departure orientation. |
| Tata Scholarships at Cornell | Funds the undergraduate studies of the scholar at Cornell. |
| Asian Cultural Council Individual Grants | For professionals who work on research projects.Scholars, practicing artists, Film/Video/Photography, Literature, Museum Studies, Music, Theater, and Visual Art are eligible. |
| East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship | Students studying at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) are eligible.Covers the tuition fees for UHM graduate programs, housing in an East-West Center dormitory, books and study materials, health insurance, partial funding toward meals, and incidental. expenses. |
Both studying in Canada or the USA, applying for scholarships is vital to maintain the budget. Further, let us have a glance at the visa requirements for both nations.
There are certain requirements to get a student visa for the USA and Canada. This section mentions the requirements:
These are a few requirements of student visa in both the nations. Next, let us look at the part-time jobs in both the nations.
There are a lot of students who work part-time along with their studies. Now the question arises, Canada or USA: which is better for jobs? Let us have a glance at the part-time work features for both countries.
| Part Time Work in Canada | Part Time Work in USA |
| To work in Canada a student must have a work permit. | Students must provide an application to get a permission for working off campus. |
| A student can work for a maximum of 20hours per week. | A student can work for a maximum of 24hours per week. |
| Students are free to work under any employer. | The part time job must be related to the field of study. |
Note: In Canada, it is easier to find a part-time job as compared to the USA.
Now, that you are thorough with the kind of opportunities available in Canada vs USA. Now, let us read about which is better among the two nations.
Also read about : in-demand jobs in USA
| Benefits of Studying in Canada | Benefits of Studying in USA |
| Flexible education system | Quality of Education |
| Affordable education | Advancement in Technology |
Are you wondering which country is better, Canada or the USA? The answer to this is that both of these are a great choice for international students. However, it depends on an individual whether or not the preferred course or program is available in the particular university that they choose to study in. Thus, your interests must align with the destination that you pick.
To wrap up, Canada vs USA varies on various factors. Thus, a student must consider them before selecting the country to study. These include cost of living, tuition charges and a lot more. Further, if you are still unsure which country to pick then, you must seek assistance from study Abroad Consultants in Kerala and nearby cities assist in this domain. Kerala has a literacy rate of 94 per cent, and most students dream of studying overseas. Besides, if you require further information and details, then you must book a free counselling session with our experts.
Some useful links:
Yes, if the international student is earning any sort of income in the Canada or in USA, then they must pay taxes. The income could be from internships, freelance projects, and research fellowships.
The US is a home to most Ivy League colleges in the world. Moreover, it secures the 2nd spot in the best countries for studying abroad and is well-known for offering diverse programs. On the other hand, Canada ranks 7th among the best countries for studying abroad. It is one of the most preferred countries for students due to its multicultural environment and strong focus on research and innovation.
Below mentioned are some of the cities that students prefer to stay in. These cities are famous for its lively and cheerful environment.
| USA | Canada |
| Boston | Toronto |
| New York | Vancouver |
| San Francisco | Quebec |
| Los Angeles | Ottawa |
Canada is said to be safer than the USA. In fact, it is the sixth safest country with a low crime rate. Moreover, Indian students prefer to study in Canada than the USA as Canadian universities pay more attention to the safety of their students. However, despite all the legal bodies, students themselves must try to stay safe, whether they choose Canada or the USA.
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