USA vs Australia – Which is Better For Indian Students?

Table of Contents

1. USA vs Australia: Top-ranked universities
2. Admission requirements for the USA and Australia
3. Application process for US and Australian universities
4. Cost of study – USA vs Australia
5. Cost of Living – USA vs Australia
6. Scholarships for students: USA vs Australia
7. Student visa process: USA vs Australia
8. USA vs Australia: post-study job opportunities
9. Permanent Residency USA and Australia?
10. Frequently Asked Questions

While the USA has 2,68,923 Indian students in 2022 – 2023, according to the Open Doors report, the Australian Education Ministry says the country was home to 120,277 Indian students in 2022 – 2023. As both countries are prominent study abroad choices, selecting one can be confusing for you. 

We would like to be your guiding light – read on and understand the main points to decide which is better between the USA and Australia to study abroad.

USA vs Australia: Top-ranked universities

With globally competing universities, choosing one from Australia vs America can be an excellent choice for international students. Here are the top 10 universities in both countries, according to the latest QS World University Rankings. 

Top US Universities	Top Australian Universities
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	The University of Melbourne
Harvard University	The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
Stanford University	The University of Sydney
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	Australian National University (ANU)
University of Chicago	Monash University
University of Pennsylvania	The University of Queensland
Cornell University	The University of Western Australia
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	The University of Adelaide
Yale University	University of Technology Sydney
Princeton University	Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)

Admission requirements for the USA and Australia

Getting into Australian or US universities is like completing a ride with checkpoints like academic qualifications, financial readiness, and student visa requirements. The specific university sets the bar with criteria like minimum GPA, work experience, and certifications. 

• Make sure you’ve got your academic qualifications in place
• Get good scores on entrance exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, etc. 
• Have all your application documents ready

 

Documents required for admission – USA and Australia

Application process for US and Australian universities

Your dream journey requires time management in the application process. Follow a timely application process to ensure your admission to your desired university in the US or Australia. Here is a general outline to help you with this: 

• Visit the university website 
• Read the guidelines and mark your deadlines
• Arrange the documents 
• Complete the application process
• Move ahead with the student visa application process 

Cost of study – USA vs Australia

Depending on your education provider, the level of study you choose, and your study location in, the cost of study varies in Australia vs the USA for international students. 

The average cost of study in the USA for international students can be 30,000 – 50,000 USD or more.

In Australia, the average cost of study can be 15,000 – 30,000 USD or more. Note that your actual cost of study can be way higher than the general estimation.

Level of study	Tuition fees in the US	Tuition fees in Australia
Undergraduate	20,000 – 40,000 USD	13,700 – 31,000 USD
Postgraduate	20,000 – 45,000 USD	15,000 – 34,200 USD
Doctoral	28,000 – 55,000 USD	13,700 – 28,800 USD

Cost of Living – USA vs Australia

The US and Australia are countries generally regarded as costly for international students. A general picture of the essential costs will help you plan your spending and create a financial strategy. 

• In the USA, the average cost of living can be 20,000 – 30,000 USD a year for international students in general. 

• Australia – 22,000 USD for a single person, 27,000 USD for two people, plus 2,200 USD for a child.

Australia vs America living – here are your major costs to be considered while making a financial plan: 

Category of expense	USA	Australia
Accommodation	500 – 1,200 USD	250 – 1,200 USD
Travel	50 – 70 USD	80 – 170 USD
Food & Groceries	450 – 650 USD	250 – 1,200 USD
Books & Stationaries	50 – 100 USD	100 – 150 USD
Electricity, gas, internet, etc.	100 – 200 USD	70 – 180 USD
Entertainment	150 – 300 USD	220 – 420 USD
Others/ Extra money	100 – 200 USD	200 – 300 USD
Total	1,400 – 2,720 USD	1,170 – 3,620 USD

Scholarships for international students: USA vs Australia

Academically bright minds are fostered with scholarships in the USA and Australia. In both countries, you can explore scholarship options funded by the government and private organizations. Don’t forget to go through each scholarship guideline before you think of applying. 

Scholarships in the US for international students

International students can explore many scholarships in America. The table below shows some handpicked scholarship options you must explore while planning your admission: 

Scholarship	Amount
AAUW International Fellowships	20,000 – 50,000 USD
Fulbright Foreign Student Programs	64,000 USD
Cornell University Tata Scholarship	80,000 USD
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program	Variable
National Overseas Scholarship	15,400 USD
The Next Genius University Scholarships	1,20,000 USD
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship	Variable
Inlaks Scholarship	100,000 USD
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship	24,000 USD

Read More: Top Scholarships in the USA for Indian Students 

Scholarships in Australia for international students

Why worry about the cost of studying in Australia if you can win a scholarship! Here are some prominent scholarships in Australia for international students, funded by the government, universities, and other organizations:

Scholarship	Amount
Australia Awards Scholarships	100% of the tuition fee + Stipend
Destination Australia Awards	Up to 15,000 USD
Australian Catholic University International Student Scholarships	Variable
Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI)	Variable
National Overseas Scholarship	15,400 USD
The Next Genius University Scholarships	1,20,000 USD
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship	Variable
Inlaks Scholarship	100,000 USD
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship	24,000 USD

 

Student visa process: USA vs Australia

Your admission process is the first part, followed by a visa application. With proper guidance and on-time action, getting a student visa is not a hard nut to crack.

 

USA vs Australia: post-study job opportunities

Exploring your job opportunities is a must-do before you start your study abroad. Choosing the US or Australia can be confusing here – both countries host top job opportunities with attractive salaries, according to Glassdoor data. 

Job Opportunities	Salary in the US	Salry in Australia
Engineering – Software engineer, Mechanical engineer, Civil engineer, etc.	100,000 USD	105,064 USD
IT jobs – Data analyst, Data scientist, Cybersecurity analyst, etc.	74,100 USD	96,000 USD
Healthcare – Doctor, Nurse, Pharmacist, etc.	264,000 USD	250,000 USD
Finance – Financial professional, Accountant, Finance Manager, etc.	100,000 USD	110,000 USD
Arts – Curator, Art teacher, etc.	82,000 USD	81,000 USD
Humanities – Teacher, Subject matter expert, Market Research analyst, etc.	57,000 USD	94,000 USD

How to get permanent residency in the USA and Australia? 

The USA and Australia are great countries to settle in. For permanent living, you need to obtain a permit after completing your studies and working for a few years.

• For permanent residency in the US, you must obtain a Green Card. Your duty is to find an employer and get your work visa in the US.

• Once you secure a job in Australia after your studies, you can apply for a Permanent Residency. Your application will be evaluated on points credited to your course of study, work, language skills, etc.

Are you planning to settle abroad? If so, dig deep and learn about the living standards, surety of peace, comfortability with climate, etc. Share your concerns and plans with our expert counselor to get proper guidance and valuable insights.

In short, You can choose the USA or Australia to study abroad as both countries offer excellent academic and job opportunities. Make sure you have enough funds to meet the cost of study and living. If not, get guidance on secured and unsecured education loan options with minimal interest rates.

How to choose between the USA and Australia for your needs? Well, our expert counselor can help you answer this question better. Streamline your study abroad journey. Check the link and register with us right now.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for international students – the USA or Australia? 

Deciding which is better, the USA or Australia depends on your personal interests, goals, and concerns. From an academic perspective, both countries host a world-renowned education system and academic environment. 

Does Australia have a better education system than America?

Both Australia and America are known for their excellent education system. However, if we look at the QS World University Rankings, there are 5 US universities under the top 10 and 0 Australian universities. 

Is Australia more expensive than the USA for international students? 

According to Global Economy rankings of the most expensive countries, Australia comes in 7th position, and the US is excluded from the top 10. But, according to Living Cost rankings, the US is the 7th most expensive country, whereas Australia ranks 10th. So, in general, Australia can be slightly more expensive, but there’s no big gap between the countries in living costs. 

Which is more student-friendly, Australia or America? 

The US and Australia are student-friendly countries, and the high number of international students getting into these countries testifies to that.

Is it better to do MS in Australia or America? 

Both the US and Australia are good destinations for MS study. Make sure the university of your choice has an updated curriculum, offers great academic opportunities, and has better post-study job prospects.