USA vs Canada vs UK vs Australia 2026: Complete Comparison for Indian Students

USA vs Canada vs UK vs Australia — which country is best for Indian students in 2026? With 363,019 Indians in USA, 427,000 in Canada, 150,000 in UK, and 180,000 in Australia, all four nations compete fiercely for Indian talent. USA offers 3-year STEM OPT and the highest salaries ($80K–$150K). Canada offers the easiest PR pathway through Express Entry. UK offers 1-year master's degrees (lowest time investment). Australia offers the highest minimum wage ($24.95 AUD/hour from July 2025). This comprehensive guide from EEC — 27+ years of experience, 50,000+ students placed — compares every factor: tuition, living costs, work rights, salary, PR pathways, and visa success rates to help you make the best decision.

Quick Comparison Overview — USA vs Canada vs UK vs Australia 2026

Before diving into the details, here is the master comparison table covering 15+ factors across all four countries. This is the most comprehensive USA vs Canada for Indian students comparison available online in 2026:

At a glance: USA wins on salary and university prestige, Canada wins on PR accessibility, UK wins on cost-effectiveness (1-year master's), and Australia wins on work-life balance and minimum wage. But the best country for YOU depends on your individual priorities — career earnings, permanent residency, total budget, or programme duration. Let us break down each factor in detail.

Tuition Fees Comparison — By Degree Level (2026 INR)

Tuition fees are often the deciding factor for Indian families. The cost of studying in USA vs Canada vs UK vs Australia varies significantly by degree level and university type. Here is the detailed breakdown:

Master's Degree (MS/MA/MBA) Tuition

Bachelor's Degree (4-Year) Tuition

UK appears cheapest because master's degrees are only 1 year — cutting total cost nearly in half. However, the 1-year format means less time for internships, TA/RA positions, and networking. USA has the highest per-year cost but also offers the most merit scholarship opportunities — over 600 universities provide automatic scholarships reducing tuition by $5,000–$28,000/year. Canada offers the best balance of moderate tuition and affordable living. For the cheapest US options, see our cheapest universities in USA 2026 guide.

Cost of Living Comparison — By City (2026)

Living costs vary more by city than by country. A student in a small Canadian town spends less than a student in central London. Here is the city-level comparison across all four countries:

Canada consistently offers the lowest living costs across all city categories. Small Canadian cities like Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Moncton are among the most affordable places for Indian students globally. In USA, Midwest college towns (Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, New Mexico) match Canadian affordability while providing access to world-class universities. The key takeaway: city choice matters more than country choice for living costs. A student in a Midwest US city spends less than a student in downtown Toronto or Sydney. For a detailed USA cost breakdown by city, see our dedicated guide.

Post-Study Work Rights — OPT, PGWP, Graduate Route & Subclass 485

Post-study work rights determine how long you can stay and work after graduation — and this is where the four countries differ most dramatically. For Indian students evaluating USA vs Canada vs UK vs Australia, this is often the deciding factor:

USA's 3-year STEM OPT is the most financially rewarding post-study work period — Indian graduates earn $80,000–$150,000/year during OPT, accumulating $240K–$450K over 3 years. However, USA's work permit is restricted to your field of study. Canada's PGWP and Australia's 485 visa are open work permits — you can work in any field. UK's Graduate Route visa is also open but limited to 2 years (reducing to 18 months from January 2027).

PR & Immigration Pathway — Green Card vs Express Entry vs Skilled Worker vs 189/190

For Indian students who want to settle permanently abroad, the PR pathway is the most critical comparison. Here is the reality of getting permanent residency in each country after studying:

The uncomfortable truth: the USA Green Card pathway for Indians is the longest and most uncertain among all four countries. Due to per-country caps and the massive Indian backlog in EB-2/EB-3 categories, an Indian student graduating from a US university today may wait 10–15+ years for a Green Card. During this wait, you remain on H-1B (tied to your employer) or face uncertainty. In stark contrast, Canada's Express Entry system has no country cap — an Indian student with a Canadian master's degree, 1 year of Canadian work experience, and IELTS 8.0 can receive PR in 6–12 months after applying.

However, here is the counterargument for USA: even without PR, the salary differential is massive. An Indian software engineer earns $130,000–$180,000 in USA vs C$85,000–$120,000 in Canada. Over a 10-year career, a USA-based engineer earns $400,000–$600,000 more than their Canadian counterpart. For many Indian students, the higher earning potential in USA outweighs the PR delay. Read more about MBA career outcomes in USA.

“I chose USA over Canada specifically for the salary difference. My starting salary at Amazon Seattle was $145K — more than double what my friends in Toronto earned. Yes, the Green Card wait is long, but the financial advantage is undeniable. EEC helped me weigh both options objectively.”

— Ananya V., MS CS, University of Washington → Software Engineer, Amazon

Salary After Graduation — By Field (2026)

Post-graduation salary is where USA dominates all other countries. Here is the field-by-field salary comparison for Indian graduates in 2026:

The salary gap is staggering. A Computer Science graduate in USA earns ₹80 Lakhs–₹1.5 Crore — 2x to 3x more than the same graduate in Canada, UK, or Australia. This is why USA remains the #1 destination for Indian STEM students despite higher tuition and tougher PR. The 3-year STEM OPT period alone can generate ₹2.4–4.5 Crore in total earnings. Even accounting for USA's higher cost of studying, the net ROI is overwhelmingly positive.

Visa Success Rates — Which Country Is Easiest to Get Into?

Visa success rates for Indian students vary significantly. Here is the comparison:

UK has the highest visa success rate (95%+) primarily because there is no interview — it is a document-based process. USA has the lowest success rate (80–85%) due to the in-person interview at the US Embassy, where consular officers can deny visas based on "immigrant intent" suspicion. However, EEC's students consistently achieve high F-1 visa success rates — well above the national average — thanks to thorough visa interview preparation and document review.

Which Country Is Best For You? — Decision Framework

The "best country" depends entirely on YOUR priorities. Here is a simple decision framework based on the four most common goals of Indian students:

Goal 1: Highest Salary → Choose USA

If your primary goal is maximising lifetime earnings, USA is the clear winner. American salaries are 2–3x higher than any other country for STEM graduates. The 3-year STEM OPT provides the longest initial work period among English-speaking countries. Top tech companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta) pay Indian graduates $120K–$200K in their first year. Target high-demand STEM courses for maximum salary potential.

Goal 2: Easiest PR / Permanent Settlement → Choose Canada

If you want to settle permanently abroad with the least uncertainty, Canada's Express Entry system is unmatched. A Canadian master's degree gives 30 CRS points, 1 year of Canadian work experience gives 40+ points, and there is no country cap. Most Indian students receive PR within 2–3 years of graduation. Canada is also the most welcoming country for immigrants — with over 500,000 PR spots annually.

Goal 3: Lowest Total Cost / Shortest Duration → Choose UK

If budget and time are your biggest constraints, UK's 1-year master's programmes offer the best value. Total cost is ₹25–53 Lakhs (vs ₹56L–1.3Cr for USA), and you are back in the job market 1 year sooner. The Graduate Route visa (2 years; 18 months from Jan 2027) gives you post-study work rights. UK is also ideal for students in business, law, humanities, and social sciences. Explore alternatives for after 12th as well.

Goal 4: Best Work-Life Balance → Choose Australia

Australia offers the highest minimum wage in the world (A$24.95/hour), generous 48-hour-per-fortnight work rights for students, and a relaxed lifestyle that many Indian students find appealing. The 485 visa offers up to 4 years of post-study work rights — the longest among all four countries. Australia is also ideal for healthcare, nursing, and trades students.

The USA vs Canada for Indian students debate ultimately comes down to salary vs PR. If you can handle the Green Card uncertainty and want the highest financial returns, USA is your answer. If you want guaranteed permanent residency and a clear immigration pathway, Canada wins. Many Indian families choose a pragmatic approach: apply to both USA and Canada, secure admits from both, and make the final decision based on scholarship offers and loan terms.

Book a free consultation with EEC to get a personalised country recommendation based on your academic profile, budget, career goals, and PR preferences. EEC guides students to all four countries — USA, Canada, UK, and Australia — with no bias toward any single destination. Our counsellors have placed 50,000+ students since 1997 and can help you make the most informed decision. Whether you choose USA for its Fall 2026 intake or Canada for its Express Entry, EEC ensures your journey is smooth from application to arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions: USA vs Canada vs UK vs Australia