Canada and the USA are among the top universities in the world for international students. During 2019, the US hosted around 1 million international students in more than 5000 universities. During the same period, Canada hosted more than a million international students standing just behind the UK. Canada and the USA provide world-class professionals, and educational, and personal opportunities for the students. However, some major differences between the countries will help shape the decision of choosing the country for the study.
Following the blog, we will explore the differences and advantages of studying in Canada and the USA.
The USA is in the top position among the world university rankings. Around 25% of the top 200 universities in the world are American universities. This is far more than Canada which has only 8 universities in the top 200 universities. The University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, Harvard, and MIT are some of the top schools in the US for international students. The degrees of American universities are valued highly all over the world, especially those received from top universities in America. The students of top universities in America gain instant name recognition and better career opportunities. US universities are known for their high global standards, as a result, universities around the world follow the US universities and their way of study.
Canada is known for saving money. The average cost of living in Canada is 13% lower compared to the living cost of the US. Also, the cost of living in some of the major Canadian cities is lower than that of some counterparts in the US.
| Canadian City | Cost of Living (USD) | US City | Cost of Living (USD) |
| Toronto | 2200 | New York City | 3500 |
| Vancouver | 2300 | Chicago | 2300 |
| Montreal | 1700 | Boston | 2800 |
| Edmonton | 1500 | Austin | 2000 |
| Ottawa | 1800 | Minneapolis | 2000 |
The tuition fees in Canada are much lower compared to the US. Although the international students in both US and Canada are required to pay higher tuition fees when compared to local students.
The visa process in the US is very complicated for international students willing to stay and work in the USA after graduation. On the other hand, getting a visa in Canada is very straightforward and easier. International students after completing graduation can apply for “a post-graduation work permit. This is considered the first step of getting permanent residency in Canada. The immigration process is quite easy in Canada as 25% of the total Canadian workforce are immigrants. Since the country has a small population compared to the US, Canada heavily depends on international workers for its daily activities.
The USA has more than 5300 universities with the USA with the largest number of universities in the world standing much ahead of China which has 2000 universities. Thousands of universities in the USA are open for international students, which makes it easier for international students to find the best university and subject that meets the needs of the students. US universities are world leaders in higher education, policy, and scholarship. The US universities fund the research to help the students connect with global conferences and provide opportunities for collaboration. This helps inspire think tanks, diplomats, politicians, and future generations. The US is the leader all around the world when it comes to diverse opportunities across various fields. Some of the different types of schools present in the US are:
Religious School: In case, the students want to increase their faith in university education, many schools in the US integrate religious education and services and high-quality global education standards. Religious schools such as the Liberty University provide majors in subjects like Biblical studies or Theology.
Art schools: For designers, creators, and musicians, many schools in the US focus on art filled with performances, galleries, and exhibitions weekly.
Black universities: Black students of African-American descent, African, and Caribbean can attend the HBCUs that focus on Black students. They provide world-class student services and career opportunities for black students, which has also become a part of the immersive Black US history and culture.
Division 1 universities: In case the candidates are good athletes, Division 1 schools are some of the highest-ranked sports schools for sports such as soccer, football, swimming, tennis, swimming, and others. The sports culture has become a major part of campus life. Students generally enjoy showing school spirit, sports matches, and becoming part of the sports teams. They have very high standards in sports and appear regularly on TV in the US with a large fan base.
Canada is much safer when compared to the US due to the presence of strong gun laws in Canada. Carrying guns is very much common in the US however Canada strictly restricts firearms in the country. Happening of mass shootings, and violent crimes in Canada are extremely rare in Canada. While studying in Canada and the USA the students need to be aware of several safety issues. Mugging and Pickpocketing generally happen late at night or in overcrowded places. In Bars and restaurants, students should focus on their safety and surroundings and avoid walking alone late at night.
When compared to Canada, the USA is better for graduate students with employment and offers very high starting salaries for new graduates from the universities. The starting salary for university graduates in the US is around 48,127 USD, which is 10000 higher compared to Canada. The US universities provide better accessibility to university career services as a standard facility in the universities in the USA. Career centers assist students in preparing for interviews, finding internships, writing resumes, and getting job offers. These services benefit international students as they help them prepare for joining the US workforce and also p[provide guidance, resources, and support for work visas.
As Canada and the USA have pros and cons, it becomes important for the students to examine their requirements and select the country that suits them best. Every student has a thorough regarding how or what university admission will be like and, this helps them better understand the pros and cons of studying in Canada and the USA. However, the students who are well-motivated, hard-working, and involved actively in campus life will succeed no matter which country they want to choose for their higher studies between the US and Canada.