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United States vs Australia: which should you study in?
Both are strong destinations, and the honest answer depends on your budget, your grades and whether you want to stay on after graduating. Here is the side-by-side.
United States vs Australia, line by line
| Metric | United States | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Living cost | ≈ $18,500 | ≈ $20,500 |
| Tuition from | ≈ $21,000 | ≈ $21,500 |
| Average tuition | ≈ $53,700 | ≈ $29,000 |
| Total per year | ≈ $72,200 | ≈ $49,500 |
| Post-study work | 3 years | 2 years |
| Work while studying | 20 h/week | 24 h/week |
| PR pathway | moderate | strong |
| Institutions | 90 | 31 |
| Courses listed | 362 | 120 |
| World rank | #1 | #19 |
| Typical entry grade | 77% | 77% |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.6 | IELTS 6.5 |
Which one fits you?
Choose United States if…
- ✓you want lower living costs (about $2,000 a year less)
- ✓you want cheaper tuition (from $21,000 a year)
- ✓you want longer post-study work rights (3 years)
- ✓you want more institutions to choose from (90 here)
- ✓you are targeting a higher-ranked university
Choose Australia if…
- ✓settling permanently matters to you
The short version
Australia is the cheaper route on total annual cost, while United States gives you longer to work after you graduate. If you are optimising for permanent residency, Australia has the stronger pathway.
United States
F-1 student visa. STEM graduates get up to 3 years of OPT work authorisation (non-STEM fields get 1 year); the green-card route is employer-sponsored and can be lengthy.
Australia
Subclass 500 student visa. Financial capacity requirement is AUD 29,710/yr of living costs. The Temporary Graduate visa (485) gives 2 years for bachelor's/coursework master's and 3 for research degrees and PhDs; skilled occupations feed a points-based PR system.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to study in United States or Australia?
On total annual cost — tuition plus living — Australia works out cheaper. Tuition in the United States starts around $21,000 a year against $21,500 in Australia, and living costs run $$18,500 versus $$20,500 a year.
Which gives better post-study work rights, United States or Australia?
United States allows 3 year(s) of post-study work and Australia allows 2. During term, students can work up to 20 hours a week in the United States and 24 hours in Australia.
Which is easier to get into, United States or Australia?
Across the courses we list, the typical competitive grade is about 77% in the United States and 77% in Australia, with English requirements of IELTS 6.6 and 6.5 respectively. Entry difficulty varies far more by institution than by country.
Other comparisons
Estimated figures. Tuition, living costs and entry benchmarks on this page are estimates for guidance and comparison. Always confirm exact figures with the institution before you apply.
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