Why Studying in Canada is Better than Studying in US

Studying in Canada is better than US mainly for its quality of life. Canada consistently ranks among the best countries in the world where students can receive an internationally recognised education from some of the top educators and academics in the world.

Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students. Numerous scholarships and other educational aids are offered to students making it one of the best places to study in the world.

The tuition fees in Canadian universities are 27% more economical than the tuition fees at US universities. International students also prefer studying in Canada as the cost of living is also a lot lower as compared to the US.

Benefits of Studying in Canada

International students who study in Canada can aim for a career and a future in Canada, or better career prospects at home. Students get to experience multicultural diversity, a clean environment and incredible quality of life. Find below some reasons why studying in Canada is better than US:

• Quality of Education
• Welcoming Culture
• Quality of Life
• Job Opportunities
• Affordability
• Enriching Experience
• Visa Policy
• Eligibility Criteria
• Cost of Living
• Scholarships
• Health Support

Quality of Education

Canada is globally renowned for its outstanding quality of education offered from elementary school to post-secondary studies. The highly-trained educators are known to bring diverse perspectives to the classroom. Canada is also home to 11 of the top 250 universities in the world. Higher education institutes in Canada offer a range of courses in multiple disciplines, ranging from engineering, technology, economics, different fields of science, and a lot more

Welcoming Culture

Canadians are known to be warm and friendly towards people of different cultures. Students find Canada a welcoming country with a unique culture that embraces diversity. It is also considered one of the safest countries in the world for international students which is one of the many benefits of studying in Canada.

Quality of Life

The Canadian quality of life ranks highest in the world. All students in Canada enjoy a high standard of living making it a great place to live and work. In fact, Canada ranks #1 in the world for its amazing quality of life.

Canada is one of the countries with the highest standard of living due to the strength of its economy as well as the accessibility of public services to everyone. It is home to 4 of the top 100 best student cities in the world according to the World University Rankings.

Job Opportunities

Canada promises great graduate outcomes for both domestic and international students. Both college and university students graduate with a strong earning potential for a successful future and rewarding careers. Canada has also created 1.8 million new jobs for graduates in the last decade. Another reason why studying in Canada is better than US is that it gives students a direct chance to apply for permanent residency after completing graduation.

The Canadian student visa comes with multiple benefits for international students with aspiring professionals from various fields looking forward to a life full of opportunities, professional growth, and success. International students can work for up to 20 hours every week as per the conditions of their study permit in Canada which can help them supplement their source of income while studying and also familiarize themselves with the professional environment in Canada.

Affordability

Canada is known to have the lowest university tuition fees among English-speaking countries. It also has a diverse range of education options for students from all walks of life. Studying in Canada gives students access to world-class quality education while allowing them to save a lot of money compared to other Western countries.

The overall cost of living in Canada hugely depends on the cost of the programs and living expenses in the city or town of choice. Affordability of education is one of the most unique and greatest reasons why studying in Canada is better than US.

Enriching Experience

Some other benefits of studying in Canada is that international students get to experience a climate, culture and way of life that is beyond compare. It strongly supports multiculturalism and accepts people from various parts of the world to be immigrants in the country. Canadians' acceptance of diversity has earned them the reputation of being one of the friendliest countries in the world.

Safety standards are given utmost importance for international students coming to live and study in Canada. The locals are a great source of first-hand information that can help students with the big shift in their lifestyle.

Visa Policy

The Department of Homeland Security in the US requires international students to reapply for their visas every year that they are in school in the United States. The Canadian Government, on the other hand, allows students to stay in the country for as long as possible and look for employment opportunities.

The US visa application process is also lengthy and complicated which puts applicants through intense scrutiny, questioning and a longer waiting period. The Canadian visa process is simpler and shorter and can be processed in as little as 3 weeks which makes it easier for international students to get a study permit.

Eligibility Criteria

The admission process and the eligibility criteria for international students are almost the same for both US and Canada but there are a few major differences that make getting into Canadian universities easier than US universities.

Entrance Exams for Undergraduate Admission: International students applying for admission to US universities need to provide valid SAT/ ACT scores as a part of the application process. However, SAT/ ACT scores are not mandatory for pursuing bachelor's courses in Canada.

Entrance Exams for Graduate Admission: Applicants willing to pursue master’s in US universities need to mandatorily appear for the GRE examination. This requirement is university-specific but most US universities require GRE scores to offer admission to international students. Furthermore, admission to Canadian universities does not require GRE scores. Only a few courses need international students to submit their valid GRE scores along with the application.

Years of Education Required: International students applying for bachelor’s programs in both US and Canada need to have completed their high school and Class 12 with excellent academic scores. For graduate students, at least 16 years of education which means a four-year bachelor's education is mandatory for admission to both US and Canadian educational institutions.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Canada is much more affordable compared to the USA. Shown below is a comparison between living in Canada and the US in terms of costs and expenses:

Particulars	USA (in USD)	Canada (in USD)
Accommodation	$3,000-$8,000 (INR 2,39,821- 6,39,524)	$6,000-$7,500 (INR 4,79,643- 5,99,553)
Living Expenses	$10,000-$25,000 (INR 7,99,405- 19,98,512)	$11,300 (INR 9,03,327)
Books and Supplies	$500-$1,500 (INR 39,970- 1,19,910)	$189-$265 (INR 15,108- 21,184)
Health Support and Insurance	$700-$1,000 (INR 55,958- 79,940)	$227-$600 (INR 18,146- 47,964)
Transportation Charge	$45-$100 (INR 3,597- 7,994)	$60-$85 (INR 4,796- 6,794)

Scholarships

Several scholarship options are available to international students to cover the high costs of tuition and living expenses. Canadian universities are more likely to offer financial aid to students as compared to US universities. Mentioned below are some of the scholarships for international students in the USA and Canada:

United States

• Tata Scholarship for Cornell University
• Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
• Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowships
• Inlaks Scholarships
• SN Bose Scholarships

Canada

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Canada Graduate Scholarships
• IDRC Research Awards

Health Support

Some Canadian provinces provide medical coverage for international students. The candidates that do not have this facility can opt for the school’s insurance plan or any other private insurance. The premium rates for private healthcare in Canada are moderate as compared to the US. This reduces the overall financial burden of international students and also makes healthcare a feasible option.

Canada vs USA for Indian Students

Both Canada and USA are considered ideal destinations for study abroad programs by Indian students. These countries are preferred mainly because of the multicultural environment, well-known education system, and top-ranked universities. However, there are several benefits of studying in Canada as compared to the USA. Shown below is the comparison of Canada vs USA for Indian students:

Studying in Canada	Studying in the USA
Entrance tests like GRE and GMAT are not compulsory for Canadian universities	Standardized entrance examinations like GRE and GMAT are compulsory to take admission in American universities
The annual cost of education in Canada ranges between CAD 7,000 to CAD 35,000 for international students	The average annual tuition fee for an Indian student in the US is between $8,000 to $55,000
A student permit is required for international students to visit Canada for education	Indian students need to apply for F1, J1, or M1 visa types to be able to study in the US
Indian students in Canada get the Post-Graduation Work Permit which allows them to work for 3 years after the completion of the course	International students can opt for Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa after completing the course and get 12 months of temporary employment