Study in Canada vs. the US: What’s the Difference and Which One is Right for Me?

Completing an education in Canada and the United States holds a lot of promise. After all, these two countries aren’t only among the most powerful, but they are both affluent. 

Investing in your education is one of the greatest and challenging endeavors that you can undertake. You will learn a great deal of self-discipline, and it will prepare you for the reality of life. Having a great education affords you to have a good perspective and the right skill that will allow you to contribute significantly to mankind. But choosing the right one can be crucial, especially when we’re talking about two great countries here. 

So, to help you figure out which one is right for you, read below as we narrow down some specifics. 

Education Quality

Winner: Tie 

Both countries do possess the first-rate quality of education. They can easily top other countries in the world in terms of this aspect alone. So, it’s almost impossible to determine which one fares better. The US has the most number of prestigious universities in the world. However, it doesn’t mean that Canada is far behind and doesn’t have its own to boast. It also houses other famed universities. But both do also have average-performing academic institutions. So, the quality as a whole for both countries almost doesn’t matter to decide which is best for you. Both are equally promising, to say the least. 

Employment Opportunity

Winner: United States

Investing in your education will pay off a lot. Having a college degree is one of the greatest accomplishments that you can have. Completing it with a good mark and flying colors can definitely land you to the job of your dreams or to the job that can dramatically improve the quality of your life and that of your family. 

If you do well with your education, either you completed it in the US or Canada, it’s always almost guaranteed that promising career opportunities will wait for you. 

However, if income matters to you, you can expect to earn more in the US with your university degree. Equally, if prestige is important to you, the US is also home to the world’s most powerful and esteemed companies. But, then again, the US has a costlier living. 

Affordability  

Winner: Canada

Studying abroad is no easy feat and might present a heavy financial burden to some. While both countries offer international students financial aid, Canada’s government puts in a lot of money for their public education. Even if you enroll in a private institution, it will still cost you less than when you do the same in the US.  

Canadian higher education is significantly less than the average annual cost of studying in the US when compared between their equivalents. Keep in mind that studying will not require you to be financially competent to pay for the education; you will also have to factor in other costs, such as housing and personal allowance. The US has a more expensive cost of living. 

Top Schools 

Winner: United States 

Both countries have expensive rates for completing higher education. Both offer world-class quality and truly among the best in the world. 

However, the United States is home to some of the best schools in the world and continues to dominate the list. QS World University Rankings lists American universities for the top 1- 4. (Other countries that made it to the Top 10 are Switzerland and United Kingdom.) 

While they are among the best in the world, Canada’s best universities couldn’t compete with the best of the US. If you can make it to an Ivy League university or other world-famous universities, such as Stanford or UCLA, grab the opportunity. 

Where do you want to settle in?  

It is often overlooked, but a great deciding factor comes down to this one question: Where do you want to settle after graduation? 

Will you go back home to your country after completing your education, or will you instead continue your career growth internationally? 

If you will go back to your nation, it doesn’t matter on a grand scale of things as far as you’ve come from a reputable school. You will have a great career. Now, if you prefer to establish a career in the US, you might as well complete your education there. The same idea applies to Canada. 

The final thought

So, which one is right for you? At the end of the day, it’s you who will undertake the challenge. If money isn’t an issue, and if you can manage to snag a place in one of the most prestigious universities in the US, do not give it a second thought. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. 

However, if you want a more affordable option without diminishing the quality, Canada will fare better.