Every year, a whole lot of foreigners travel abroad for higher education. Considering some factors like the cost of living, university rankings, climate conditions, and scholarships will determine your choice of country to study. However, everybody keeps asking, is studying cheaper in Canada or the USA?
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Worry no more as this article will provide answers to all your thoughts. Let’s discuss two of the prominent countries that have a high demand for international education. Furthermore, is studying cheaper in Canada or the US? Keep reading!
In terms of course selection, it is believed that the United States has greater flexibility. As well as a larger job market with numerous job opportunities for international students. But the admissions process in the US is quite competitive and the visa process is very complex.
However, the cost of studying in Canada is very affordable with an easier visa process, and an organized education system. Although the United States is a popular study destination for foreigners, Canada ranks high and recently holds the title of the number one country for foreign students. Over the years, the US has been the leading country for international students but that has changed.
While Canada has soared to the top of the chart. In this article, we will provide answers to the popular question, is studying cheaper in Canada or the US? As well as discuss why more international students are studying in Canada than in the US. Let’s get started!
Canada Vs USA
1. Study Permits
One of the answers could be the difficult visa policy in the United States, obtaining a study visa in the US is a hassle. The Department of Homeland Security has designed a proposal and it states that international students must reapply for their visa for every year that they are schooling in the US. However, the Canadian government motivates their international students to remain in the country for as long as possible.
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Student visa application for the US is a lengthy and complex process as it requires extreme investigation and questioning. The Canadian visa process is much simpler and shorter making it easy for international students to obtain their study permit. For a Canadian study permit, you may get a decision in as little as 4 weeks. On the contrary, obtaining your US study permit usually takes a much longer time.
2. Cost
It’s no news that studying in the US is more expensive than studying in Canada. As well as getting financial aid as an international student in the US is more complicated. However, universities in Canada usually offer more financial aid or scholarships to international students, a development that is rare in the US.
Additionally, Canadian universities’ tuition fees on average, are 26% more economical than tuition fees in US universities. Although tuition fees are not the only factor to consider, the cost of living should be considered too. The cost of living in Canada is a lot cheaper than living in the US.
3. Healthcare
Another great thing about Canada is its universal healthcare, which should also be considered. The healthcare system in Canada is handled by individual provinces, therefore creating differences in the coverage that they offer. However, some provinces do not offer coverage for international students since they are temporary residents.
Furthermore, as an international student in Canadian provinces that don’t include international students, you can choose your school’s insurance plan or affordable private insurance providers. The majority of the universities in the US require international students to apply for health insurance. Therefore, making the students pay so much for private healthcare.
4. Scholarships
Studying abroad is surely one of the most expensive things to do. However, every student tends to want to know how much it will cost to study abroad, even before applying. Studying in a university in the US is on the high side with approximately $33,210 annually for undergraduate students.
While, studying in Canada can cost comparatively lower, at about $23,250 per year. Even with these high costs, several universities support international students with different financial aid options. Universities in the US, as well as other related bodies, offer scholarships, which include:
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships.
- Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund.
- Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowships.
While some of the scholarships offered to international students include:
- Canada Asia-Pacific Awards (CAPA).
- International Research Linkages funded by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
- Sauve Scholars Program by the Jeanne Suave Youth Foundation.
5. Eligibility Criteria
Generally, most universities in Canada and the US mandate a 16-year education as a benchmark to apply for a Master’s. However, if you intend to apply for an undergraduate course, you must complete 12 years of education and sit for SAT exams. Meanwhile, the basis for pursuing a postgraduate degree differs for each country, it’ll depend greatly on your program choice.
Furthermore, to study at US universities, you’ll be required to submit scores of entrance exams like GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS, and GPA. While universities in Canada are more concerned about your GPA and IELTS/TOEFL scores than your GRE/GMAT scores. Therefore, getting admission to universities in Canada is comparably easier.
6. The caliber of the Universities
The United States is not only home to Ivy League Schools but also, some of the high-rank universities around the world. However, according to QS rankings for 2019, twelve universities in the US rank among the top 20 universities globally. Furthermore, these universities offer lots of degrees and courses that are globally recognized and accepted.
Other the other hand, more than nine universities in Canada are listed among the Top 200 World Rankings 2019 list. Meanwhile, universities like the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University are known worldwide for their research opportunities and excellent faculty.
7. Employment Opportunities
After graduating, students in Canada are at liberty to work for three years on a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This however allows them to search for jobs and serve as a gateway to permanent residence and then citizenship. But, this is not the case in the US, where you can only work if you get sponsored by an employer.
This has given room for international students to have the perception that the US does not welcome foreigners. However, this will make it very difficult for international students to secure a job in the local market.
8. Permanent Residence (PR)
It’s more easier to obtain permanent residence in Canada than in the USA. However, if you are planning to settle in the country you’re studying in after graduating, you must obtain the applicable visa and work permits. Applying for PR in the US is attainable but the process and time frame involved is more complicated than in Canada.
Canada is so generous that to offers graduates of certain degrees the opportunity of applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. However, the work permit will allow you to remain in Canada and work after studying. Also, it will make you eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Meanwhile, applying for a Green card in the US is much better than trying to get sponsorship from an employer. Or planning to apply for a working visa independently. Furthermore, as an international student who is hoping to apply for PR status after studying, Canada is your best option.
Already, Canada sees international students as the perfect immigrant for its country. Even as lots of foreigners are entering Canada to study, so does the country make efforts to retain them permanently. The federal government of Canada and its provinces have continuously offered numerous options for international graduates to convert to PR.
Meanwhile, the US does not offer so many opportunities for international students to remain or convert to permanent status. Unlike Canada, the United States doesn’t make provisions for any special immigration pathways for international graduates. This simply means that without getting sponsorship from your family or a sponsoring employer, obtaining an American permanent residence status or green card may likely be difficult.
Conclusion
Studying in Canada will afford you the opportunity of an easier immigration pathway and a lesser cost of living. However, studying in the US gives you various employment opportunities and standard education systems. The decision is yours, to choose one of the two countries based on the top factors we’ve discussed above.
Furthermore, these factors include your program choice, job opportunities, university expectations, cost of living, scholarships, and many more. The decision to go out of your comfort zone and study abroad is a great and life-changing experience. I hope this article has provided answers to the question Is studying cheaper in Canada or the US? Good luck!