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Undoubtedly, USA vs Australia both are home to elite institutions that attract millions of international students every year. To decide is USA or Australia better for international students, it is crucial that we take a look at the top universities in both of these countries.

Top 10 Universities in USA

Universities in USA are characterized by their world class education globally. The rankings of its institutions speak for its excellence. If we take a look at the top 10 universities in USA, all of them remarkably rank among the top 25 worldwide among which 5 universities have made it to the top 10. Here is a table showing rankings of the top 10 US universities in QS WUR 2023:

Suggested: View more top universities and colleges in USA

Top 10 Universities in Australia

When we talk about the leading 10 universities in Australia, it is worth noting that 7 universities rank among the top 100 globally in the QS Rankings 2023. Let us glance through the top 10 universities in Australia as per the QS World University Rankings 2023 before moving any further:

Suggested: View top universities and colleges in Australia

Universities in USA and Australia accept applications twice a year for the Fall and Spring semesters, Fall being the primary intake. The application process for international students is streamlined and involves completing an online application and submitting it along with the necessary application fee and supporting documents.

The basic eligibility criteria for admission to USA vs Australia is similar whereas you will have to fulfill additional requirements depending upon the university and chosen program. Academic admission requirements include completion of previous education qualification depending on degree level, submission of English proficiency test scores and entrance test scores.

Take a look at the summary of the admission requirements for various UG and PG programs in USA vs Australia:

One of the major decisions involved for education in Australia compared to USA is related to the tuition fees. It is very well-known that the tuition fees at US universities are relatively high compared to other countries. There are good chances of being awarded scholarships that will help you cover partial to full tuition fees. Here is a table showing comparison between the tuition fees to study in USA vs Australia: 

Suggested: Total cost of studying in USA/ Total cost of studying in Australia

The opportunity to be awarded all-inclusive scholarships is very limited and therefore all international students have to meet the living expenses by paying out of pocket. Your exact cost of living USA vs Australia will vary depending on your type of accommodation, location and lifestyle. The average cost of living in USA for Indian students is around 8,00,000-15,00,000 INR per year whereas for living in Australia it is around 10,30,000-10,85,000 INR per year.

The cost of living USA vs Australia is relatively higher, see for yourself the basic expenses that will be included in your budget:

USA and Australia both provide extensive financial aid for international students. Universities in USA and Australia offer numerous scholarship opportunities. Scholarships are the most preferred form of financial aid because there is no need for repayment and moreover it can cover 25-100% of the tuition expenses. Take a look at the most widely offered scholarships to study in USA vs Australia:

Suggested: Scholarships for MS in US

To choose is USA or Australia better for international students you must clearly know the distinction between the education systems of both countries. Discussed below are the systems of education in Australia compared to USA:

USA

• You can choose to pursue one of the many qualifications offered in the US such as an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, certificate, diploma, vocational training, professional degree or PhD.
• A bachelor’s degree in the US can be completed in 3-4 years whereas the standard duration of a master’s degree program is 2 years.
• The duration of certificate and diploma courses and vocational training may be as short as 6 months to 2 years.
• The US education system follows a 4-point GPA scale that assesses various factors such as class performance, tests, participation in extracurricular activities, etc.
• The biggest advantage of studying in the US is that you will get the flexibility to choose general courses even if they are not related to your discipline. 
• Institutions in USA are not distinguished on the basis of college or university. Both colleges as well as universities offer degree programs while the latter usually has a larger student population.
• Taking an honors degree program is not much of a choice rather it depends on your GPA.

Australia

• Australia follows a 3-tier education system where courses are grouped into primary, secondary and tertiary levels. 
• Education in Australia compared to USA follows the standards set by the Australia Qualifications Framework (AQF). 
• Under the AQF there are 10 levels: levels 1-4 for certificate courses, level 5 for diploma programs, level 6 for advanced diploma and associate degrees, level 7 for bachelor’s degree, level 8 for bachelor honors degree, graduate certificate and diploma, level 9 for master’s degrees and level 10 for doctoral degrees.
• You can complete an Australian bachelor’s degree in 3 years. Depending on your specialization, a postgraduate program in Australia can be completed in 1-2 years.
• Australian degrees are intense and concentrated to a particular discipline so students mostly opt for degrees directly related to their academic background. 
• In Australia, colleges offer technical and vocational training while universities offer full fledged degree programs.
• Just like the US education system, the Australian grading system is also based on GPA with a 7 point scale.

Suggested: Is Australia a good higher education choice?

While studying in USA vs Australia, you will have a completely different experience at campus. Your learning experience will be enriched with a lot more than just education. You will be meeting people from different parts of the world. You will get a warm and welcoming environment at universities in USA vs Australia. Let us take at what is different about student life and education in Australia compared to USA:

USA

• There are 18 cities in the US that are named among the most student friendly cities globally including Boston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, etc.
• You will be surrounded by supportive university staff who will help you with all kinds of resources necessary for your student life.
• University students in US have a lively student life that includes meeting new people, enjoying sports, eating out, partying, among other fun activities.
• On the academic side, you will get exposure and opportunity to join various clubs, sororities and fraternities or take part in intramural sports, social service, volunteering, etc.

Suggested: View more about student life in USA

Australia

• Australia is home to 7 cities ranked in the top 100 in QS Best Student Cities 2023 including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Gold Coast.
• The most convenient thing about studying at an Australian university is that international student support is always available.
• As an international student one of the struggles is the language barrier but since the official language in Australia is English you will find it easy to interact with others.
• Most students spend their leisure time indulging in water-based activities such as surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, etc. especially if you are in a city close to the coastline.
• Other activities include playing sports such as cricket, tennis, rugby, shopping or eating out.

Whether you choose to study in USA or Australia, a student visa is the first thing you will require to enter the country after getting admission. You will have to make sure that you keep the visa valid at all times. Once you have a student visa, you become eligible to work part time both in USA and Australia as well as further apply for a post study work permit after completing your program.

Take a look at the student visa process in USA vs Australia:

It is prudent to evaluate your stay back options after you study in USA vs Australia to understand your future opportunities. The stayback options in USA vs Australia are quite different and you must take a look at the comparison between both in the table below:

Looking at the post study work opportunities and the job market situation is one of the few crucial elements for comparing study abroad destinations. Here it must be noted that employers in both the USA and Australia are eager to work with passionate individuals and offer lucrative packages for the same. Take a look at the post study work opportunities and salary prospects in USA vs Australia:

USA

• On an average a working professional in the US can earn around 94,700 USD per year depending on the organization, job role, position, experience, etc.
• If you are working in the US as a fresher you can expect to earn 24,000 USD per year which can shoot up to 423,000 USD per year with experience.
• Some of the most popular job sectors in the US include Finance, Management, Data Science, IT, Biomedical, Engineering, Advertising and PR, etc.
• Speaking of graduate employability,  Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago are ranked among the top 10 globally in QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2023.

Australia

• The minimum starting salary of an individual in Australia is 23,000 AUD which can eventually go up to 405,000 AUD.
• Compared to this, a working professional in Australia earns around 90,800 AUD per year.
• For working in Australia, the top fields of job include Education, IT and Computer Science, Accounting and Finance, Hospitality, Medicine among others.
• University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, Monash University and University of Technology Sydney are on the top when we talk about graduate employability.

If you are to choose: is USA or Australia better for international students, you must know the PR rules of both countries. Both USA and Australia offer PR to international students on fulfilling the eligibility criteria. It is somewhat easier to get a PR in Australia than Australia due to the length and complexity of the process. Here you will get insights about the PR process in USA vs Australia:

USA

Getting a PR in USA is quite a lengthy process. In order to be eligible for a PR in USA, you must reside in USA for at least 5 years for employment. You will be granted a “green card” after completing the minimum requisite. However, as simple as the process might sound, it is not so easy to get PR in USA.

Suggested: Top ways to settle in USA for international students

Australia

To obtain a PR in Australia, your eligibility will be determined based on point requirements. A minimum of 65 points are required to apply for a PR in Australia. Having a score above 85 will make it easier for you to obtain a PR. Your points will be calculated by taking into account qualifications, work experience, age, occupation, etc.

The ultimate choice is USA or Australia better for international students lies with you. There is no definite answer or comparison why Australia is better than US for study or vice versa. It depends upon your dreams and aspirations and which country will provide you the right environment to excel and achieve your dreams. Choosing between USA vs Australia is a big decision for your future and must be taken after due consideration. So speak to our 杏吧论坛 counselors today and get complete guidance to study in USA vs Australia.