Bachelors in USA vs Canada: Find Out the Differences Between American & Canadian Bachelor’s Degree

USA

Canada

1.    Compulsory to have 12 years of school study

1.    Compulsory to have 12 years of school study

2.    SAT exam score is needed.

2.    Although common, SAT exams are not mandatorily required.

3.    IELTS or TOEFL are both accepted in the US.

3.    IELTS is the more commonly accepted English Proficiency Language Test in Canada

USA

Canada

Tuition fees

$26,000 - $40,000 annually

$7,000 - $22,000

Living expenses

$10,000 - $ 18,000 annually

$10,000 - $15,000

Course duration

4 years

3 years

Healthcare

$700-$1,000

$227-$600

USA

Canada

1.    A US student visa is the F1 visa for which the cost of application is 160 USD. 

1.    International students opt for the SDS program or the Canada Study Permit. The cost of application for the latter is 112 USD.

2.    A personal interview is essential.

2.    No personal interviews.

3.    Students can stay up to 2 months after receiving their degree, unless a work permit is approved.

3.    Students have up to 180 days after receiving their degree to apply for a work permit.

4.    Students can only work on campus for the 1st year.

4.    Students can work on campus or off campus depending on their study permit.

Few of the scholarships offered to international students are:

• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships: A Merit-based scholarship specially to pursue UG education at premier US Universities. 

Few of the scholarships offered are:

• University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students: Merit-based scholarship plus other forms of financial assistance for undergraduate international students. 

• Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship: The foundation offers funding specifically for UG education.

Tata Scholarship for Cornell University:  A need-based scholarship provided to Indian students pursuing UG education at Cornell University.  

• Lester B Pearson International Scholarships: Merit-based scholarship for international students that will cover tuition, books, and housing support for four years.

USA

Canada

1.    Job market is relatively challenging for international candidates.

1.    Canada and the job market is vibrant and relatively more welcoming for international candidates.

2.    It is difficult to work part-time jobs while studying in the US since one requires a separate work permit.

2.    It is easier to work part-time jobs since the study permit in Canada doubles as a work permit too.

3.    However, one can expect higher paying jobs, as compared to in Canada, after completing a degree, especially for those in STEM fields.

3.    High paying jobs after engineering include Engineering manager, Power systems operator, Mapping technologist, Data analyst but the salaries are still lower than that of US.

USA

Canada

There are 11 time zones in the US, and the weather differs vastly across states. One can expect a warm climate in the East coast, the Midwest has frozen winters, the Pacific Northwest has a humid milieu, the Southwest has a hot arid desert climate and the Southeast has a warm, humid climate too.

Stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, there are 5 time zones in Canada. The entire country usually experiences pleasant summers, but the winters are known to be very harsh. Toronto has a mild winter than the others, and winters in Montreal are cold and snowy.