The United States is and will always be one of the most popular study abroad destinations for students from all over the world. Canada, on the other hand, has recently risen to become one of the most popular destinations for international students.
As a result, many international students are faced with the ultimate dilemma: which country is better for studying abroad: the United States or Canada?
In this blog, we’ll discuss the top five distinguishing features that will help you choose between the United States and Canada.
1) Eligibility criteria
If you want to apply for undergraduate courses, most American and Canadian institutions require that you have completed 12 years of education and taken the SAT examinations. The requirements for earning a postgraduate degree, however, differ by country. It is mostly determined by the programme you choose. Entrance examinations such as the GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS, and your GPA are required for admission to institutions in the United States. While your GPA and IELTS/TOEFL scores are more important to Canadian universities than your GRE/GMAT scores, As a result, admission to Canadian universities is quite straightforward.
2) The caliber of the Universities
With more than 4000 institutions spread around the country, the United States is home to not only Ivy League schools, but also some of the world’s best universities. According to the QS rankings for 2019, 12 American colleges are among the top 20 universities in the world. These colleges provide a diverse range of internationally recognised and acknowledged degrees and courses. More than 8 Canadian universities are included in the Top 200 World Rankings 2019 list, ensuring that they do not fall behind. The University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University are well-known for their research possibilities and outstanding faculty.
3) Cost of Education and Living
Education abroad is unquestionably one of the most costly endeavours. One of the first questions any student has before deciding to study abroad is how much the entire adventure will cost. The cost of education in American institutions is on the higher side, with undergraduate students paying around US$33,215 per year.
On the other side, the expense of education in Canada is far lower, at around US$23,300 per year.
In the United States and Canada, the average cost of living is US$ 12,000 and CA$ 10,800, respectively.
4) Employment opportunities
The number of professional options that an international degree opens up is half the attractiveness of pursuing one. And, in terms of job opportunities, both the United States and Canada are quite appealing. The United States is ranked third, with Canada in fifth place. Management executives, medicine, dentistry, software engineering, and other professions, according to data, pay some of the highest salaries in the United States. While positions such as nurse practitioner, programme analyst, teacher, pharmacist, financial manager, construction manager, and others are among Canada’s most popular. The average first income for American grads was 48,127 dollars. In Canada, the average first income for university graduates was 36,895 US dollars.
5) Permanent residency
If you plan to stay in the nation where you’re studying after graduation, you’ll need to obtain the necessary visas and work permits. It is undoubtedly feasible to apply for permanent residency in the United States. However, the application process and time frame are significantly longer than those for Canada. Graduates of various degrees in Canada are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. After graduation, you can work in Canada with this work permit. It also qualifies you to apply for Canadian permanent residency. In the United States, however, applying for a Green card is a better option than trying to be sponsored by an employer or applying for a working visa on your own.
Which country to choose?
While studying in Canada has lower prices and more liberal immigration regulations, education in the United States affords a wider range of employment and educational prospects. Based on the top five factors listed above, you can choose between the two countries. These factors include your preferred programme, grades, university expectations, and so forth.
Studying abroad and stepping outside of your comfort zone is a life-changing experience. Based on your scores and expectations, ______expert consultants aim to assist you in selecting the ideal nation, university, and programme for you. We strive to make the most of your educational experience by making the process as easy and stress-free as possible.