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United States vs Canada: 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 Canada, line by line
| Metric | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Living cost | ≈ $18,500 | ≈ $16,000 |
| Tuition from | ≈ $21,000 | ≈ $3,200 |
| Average tuition | ≈ $53,700 | ≈ $19,700 |
| Total per year | ≈ $72,200 | ≈ $35,700 |
| Post-study work | 3 years | 3 years |
| Work while studying | 20 h/week | 24 h/week |
| PR pathway | moderate | strong |
| Institutions | 90 | 40 |
| Courses listed | 362 | 155 |
| World rank | #1 | #25 |
| Typical entry grade | 77% | 69% |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.6 | IELTS 6.3 |
Which one fits you?
Choose United States if…
- ✓you want more institutions to choose from (90 here)
- ✓you are targeting a higher-ranked university
Choose Canada if…
- ✓you want lower living costs (about $2,500 a year less)
- ✓you want cheaper tuition (from $3,200 a year)
- ✓settling permanently matters to you
The short version
Canada 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, Canada 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.
Canada
Study permit. Proof of funds is CAD 22,895/yr of living costs on top of tuition (CAD 24,617 in Quebec from Jan 2026). The Post-Graduation Work Permit can last up to 3 years and feeds directly into Express Entry permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to study in United States or Canada?
On total annual cost — tuition plus living — Canada works out cheaper. Tuition in the United States starts around $21,000 a year against $3,200 in Canada, and living costs run $$18,500 versus $$16,000 a year.
Which gives better post-study work rights, United States or Canada?
United States allows 3 year(s) of post-study work and Canada allows 3. During term, students can work up to 20 hours a week in the United States and 24 hours in Canada.
Which is easier to get into, United States or Canada?
Across the courses we list, the typical competitive grade is about 77% in the United States and 69% in Canada, with English requirements of IELTS 6.6 and 6.3 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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