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US and Canada are Top study destinations. They offer various Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programs with differing fee structures and higher education.
The United States and Canada appear in the top five most popular study abroad destinations for international students when you search online for “top study countries abroad.” The reasons are self-evident: excellent education, world-class professors, flexible programs, post-degree job prospects, and high living standards.
This article will compare tuition fees, cost of living, international students’ work permits, post-settlement opportunities, and some interesting facts available in both countries to help you make an informed decision.
Which Is Better, Canada or the United States?
Both the United States and Canada are excellent countries to study. Both nations are popular among students aspiring to study abroad.
Some factors make the United States a more attractive choice for students, such as the vast number of universities and colleges, the broad range of courses available, and the possibility of earning. At the same time, you learn via internships and on-campus jobs.
On the other hand, Canada has free healthcare, shorter degree programs, and is generally a cheaper place to live. In addition, Canada’s post-study work opportunities and it’s flexible immigration policies make it an appealing choice for international students.
Choosing between Canada and the United States as study destinations come from personal priorities and preferences. Both countries offer world-class education and exciting study abroad experiences.
What are the Different Types of Costs to Consider?
- Tuition Fee
- Living cost
- Personal Expenses
Tuition fee?
Canada is the most affordable destination for international students compared to any other country. Studying in Canada is less expensive than studying in the United States, United Kingdom or Australia.
Canada:
- Tuition fees for undergraduate courses in Canada range from $15,000 to $60,000 per year
- Canada’s most expensive degree programs are Medicine, Engineering, and Social science.
- The cost of tuition for a Master’s degree can range from $12,000 to $35,000 per year for Engineering, Computer science, Arts and Social Science
- MBA is the most expensive program in Canada but still affordable in comparison to some of the institutions in the US. It can cost anywhere between $35,000- $100,000 CAD or more per year.
Choose the university or college as per your budget. There is something available for everyone.
USA:
- The cost of studying in the United States varies from US$23,000- $80,000 per year for undergraduate programs that last four years
- Tuition fees differ by university and range widely based on the course. It can vary from as little as US$ 18,000 per year for state colleges to US$ 35,000 per year for some private institutions
- The typical yearly cost for in-state students at a four-year public college is US$18,230, while out-of-state students can pay around US$26,290
- There are also non-profit private colleges, which charge an average of US$35,830
The USA is considered one of the most expensive country for international students. Although the starting price may be startling, it’s worth looking at all funding sources and financial aid before rejecting a country, as there is a good amount of financial assistance available in the United States.
Find the right balance:
If you want to attend the least expensive school possible, don’t overlook colleges with higher tuition costs! Some institutions charge a high tuition fee while at the same time providing substantial need and/or merit-based scholarships to help students cover the cost of studying.
Also, remember to discover what is covered in your university’s tuition and fees. Some colleges with a high cost have unique perks, such as career placement services, top quality professors, and top notch research facilities.
Futures Abroad Opinion:Canada is more affordable than the United States.
Living Costs in both countries?
The cost of living in each country varies considerably. For example, the price of living in a small town is lower than living in a bigger city. This cost of living is due to various factors, including the price of housing, utilities, food, and transportation.
According to Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index, the USA has a score of 52.96, while Canada has a score of 49. This means that the USA is about 6% more expensive to live in than Canada.
Canada:
- In Canada, basic living expenses are somewhat higher than the national average, but the quality of life is very good. For most provinces, such as Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa, you would need between 800 and 1,500 CAD per month
- Living costs in Vancouver and Toronto, among the most expensive cities in Canada, can reach USD 2,000 per month
In Canada, you’ll have a lot of options for housing to select from, and the price range will be just as broad. The most popular housing choices for students in Canada are:
- Monthly costs for student apartments range from 250 to 625 CAD per month
- The average cost of a homestay is between 400 and 800 CAD per month
- Rent for an apartment in Canada may be anywhere from $1000 to $1,500 per month, and
- Living on campus costs between $9000 and $12,000 yearly
USA:
- In the United States, rent may vary from $500 to $3,500 per month. The price of living on campus for public institutions is approximately $9,800 yearly, while private colleges charge roughly $11,100 per year.
- In general, living costs in university towns in the Midwest are lower than those in the East and North East. The monthly cost of an apartment begins at $500 (in a rural location) and rises to $3,500 (in a built-up city).
On-campus housing is commonly in dormitories, with two or three students per room. Residents share restrooms, toilets, and showers.
- In the United States, on-campus dormitory rooms ranged from $5,304 to $8,161, with all utilities and housing-related costs included. The two-year public colleges will have the lowest rates, while private non-profit four-year institutions will offer the most expensive options.
- Each university’s website has separate calculators for totalling accommodation and tuition fees.
Futures Abroad Opinion:Accomodation in Canada is more affordable
Is it possible for an international student to work in Canada vs the United States?
International students can work in Canada and the United States before and after completing their education. The United States is in third place, followed by Canada in 5th place.
In Canada,however, an open employment permit policy allows international students to work in occupations unrelated to their program of study.
Many international students want to work in Canada while studying to better support themselves. International students in Canada can work up to 20 hours per week without a work permit if they have full-time jobs during scheduled breaks.
Under the following circ*mstances, a student may work in Canada throughout their academic career.
Here are just a few of the numerous locations where students can work on campus:
- University administrative offices
- On campus jobs in cafeteria, doctors clinic, art gallery
- University Library
Here are some examples of off-campus employment for international students:
- Interns, research assistants, and coordinators in their field of study
- Customer service personnel and tellers may be found at banks.
- Server, host, and cook positions at restaurants
- Customer service representatives, cashiers, and other personnel who design store displays are some of them.
- Work experience is part of the curriculum in Co-op and Internship Programs, where you may apply for a Work Permit:
They can also work as Co-op and interns as part of their curriculum. After graduation, they may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which allows them to stay in the country and gain valuable Canadian work experience.
The post-graduation work permit is an important component of Canada’s immigration system, allowing graduates from outside the country to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. Moreover, it is also a stepping stone to long-term residency and citizenship.
Average Payroll:
The average yearly pay for part-time student employment is CA$42,565 or CA$22 per hour.
Students are often paid by the hour for part-time jobs. On average, salaries are around $10 per hour. If you want to acquire job experience, such as assisting your professor with research tasks, you do not require a work visa, as mentioned above.
In the United States,international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus. They can also participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics OPT extension. After completing their studies, graduates with an H-1B visa may work in the United States for up to six years.
Students who want to work in their field of study while studying abroad can apply for the CPT designation, which allows them to earn money by working in fields directly linked to their degrees. The system by which you may submit documents to your campus’s DSO (designated school official) is called SEVIS.
If international students work more than 20 hours per week, they are likely to violate immigration status laws, resulting in losing their right to work in the United States.
Occupations:
Statistics show managers/executives, physicians, dentists, software engineers, and other high-paying professions in the United States.
Average Payroll:
In 2018, the average first-year salary for American graduates was USD 48,127. Salary ranges for overseas students in the United States can vary from $100,500 to $12,500 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.
According to the BLS, entry-level workers aged 16 and older generally earn an average of $8.79 per hour.Experienced professionals with a bachelor’s degree can expect to make between $7.25 and $10 per hour, depending on their level of relevant working experience. A benefit of on-campus employment is that it tends to pay fairly close to the minimum wage and is frequently higher than the minimum wage.
So, both Canada and the United States offer opportunities for international students to gain work experience. The main difference is that in Canada, international students can work in any occupation, while in the United States, they are limited to on-campus or specific training programs.
Futures Abroad Opinion:Canada is more suitable.
A Cost Analysis Chart: Canada Vs the USA
The cost of living varies greatly from city to city and is determined by the university you are applying to.
Tuition Fee Chart
Every Canadian institution offers estimated tuition and living expenses, as previously stated. Some colleges provide affordable and reasonable on-campus boarding choices, while others charge significantly more.
| Program | Tuition Fees in the US per year (in USD) | Tuition Fees in Canada per year (in CAD) | |
| Graduate Degree | 20,000 – 45,000 | 10,000 – 35,000 | |
| Doctorate Programs | 28,000- 55,000 | 6,000 – 16,000 | |
| Courses Offered by Community Colleges | 16000 – 18000 | 10,000-15,000 | |
| Undergraduate Bachelor Degree | 25,000 – 80,000 | 15,000- 65,000 |
Cost of Living Chart
Let’s look at the costs of living in the most popular cities in the United States and Canada to understand better what little expenses an international student might encounter.
| Expenses | Cost of living per year in USA (in USD) | Cost of living per year in Canada (in CAD) | |
| Private Accommodation | 6,000-14,000 | 8,000-9,000 | |
| On-campus accommodation | 5,304 – 8,161 | 3,000 – 7,500 | |
| Public Transport | 1,200 | 960-1,320 | |
| Books and Academic Supplies | 1,170 | 1,500 | |
| Household & Other Bills | 600 | 800 | |
| Internet | 360-720 | 600 | |
| Entertainment | 2,000 | 1,800 |
*Please note that the figures in the table above are projected and may vary based on one’s lifestyle and location.
Post-Settlement Opportunities for students in Canada vs the USA.
In terms of post-settlement opportunities, both Canada and the United States offer many options for international students.
Canada:
In Canada, graduates may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which allows them to stay in the country and gain valuable Canadian work experience. The cost of living in Canada is relatively high, but international students can work while studying to offset some expenses.
Here are a few scenarios of post-settlement opportunities for students in Canada:
- If the student is enrolled in a two-year program, they receive a 3 year work permit
- Students may stay in Canada as workers full-time, up to three years after qualifying from a Canadian institution.
- A student visa does not automatically offer a post-study work permit to students; they must request it within 180 days after completing their studies.
- If you apply for the program for one year, you will be permitted to stay back in Canada for one year on a post graduate work permit.
There are several schemes for students to obtain permanent residency in Canada, including Express Entry, Provincial nominations, and more..
Canadian Experience Class, one of the PR alternatives in Canada, allows international graduates to become permanent residents after a year of skilled work.
USA:
Although your F-1 visa expires when you cease enrolling in school, new graduates may continue to stay in the United States to finish an internship or gain real-world employment experience.
Here are a few scenarios of post-settlement opportunities for students in the USA:
- After you finish your degree, you may be able to stay in the United States legally by extending your Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT extension. The OPT for recent graduates is a post-completion program that allows them to work in the United States for up to 12 months.
- If you’re in the United States on a visa for study and your STEM OPT extension has been approved, you may be eligible for a STEM OPT extension. This program allows students to stay in the United States and work for 24 months after graduation. Here is a list of just a few STEM-related degrees that may be used to apply for an OPT extension: Engineering, Actuarial sciences, Computer science applications, Mathematics, Military technologies, Physical sciences, and Mathematics
- OPT is an off-campus employment program for F-1 students that links you with US businesses where you can get hands-on experience in your major field of study.
- Remember to submit your application early since USCIS may take up to 90 days to process it. To learn more about your options for applying for OPT, how long an international student will stay in the United States after graduation, and how you can gather the information you’ll need for your application, speak with your Designated School Official or DSO.
Your company can also help you apply for a green card. The firm will confirm your employment status based on either EB-2 or EB-3.
In the United States, citizenship may be obtained after five years of residency through employment.
Final Take on which is better to go to – Canada or the United States?
Studying in Canada has many benefits in comparison to any other country in the world. Canada is considered more tolerant of international students and is considerably safer than other countries. It’s the only country as of date which is providing students post study settlement options. Every student is eligible to apply for the Canadian Permanent Residency option.
It depends on what you are looking for in your post-secondary education experience. Both countries offer great education.
We hope this has helped you decide whether to study in the United States or Canada! Thank you for reading.
