New Zealand vs USA: Which is Better for International Students?

Here is the list of factors that help in determining the best destination to pursue your studies between New Zealand vs USA.

New Zealand vs USA Education System

New Zealand offers you with high-quality education which enables you to achieve your career goals. All of the Universities in New Zealand rank in the top 3% in the world. The academic year starts in February or early March in New Zealand.

The education system in the USA offers flexibility through diverse academic disciplines and employment training. The private universities and collges are usually smaller than the public universities in the USA. The academic year in the USA starts in the month of September and it is divided into 2 semesters. Some schools in the USA have trimesters or multiple terms of 10 to 12 weeks.

New Zealand vs USA: Course Duration, Intakes

Particulars	USA	New Zealand
Course Duration	Bachelors - 3 to 4 Years Masters - 1 to 2 Years PhD - 4 to 6 Years	Bachelors - 3 to 4 Years Masters - 1 to 2 Years PhD- 3 to 6 Years
Admission Intakes	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spring, Autumn

Top Universities in New Zealand vs USA for International Students

The top-ranking universities and their tuition fees are the major deciding factors for students planning to study abroad. There are numerous universities in these countries with high rankings, so check their average tuition fees given in the table below.

Best Colleges in New Zealand for Indian Students

University Name	QS World Universities Rankings 2025	Average Tuition Fees per year
The University of Auckland	65	Rs 23,00,000 - 28,00,000
University of Otago	214	Rs 17,46,000 to Rs 23,91,000
Massey University	239	Rs 14,78,000 to Rs 19,69,000
Victoria University of Wellington	244	Rs 16,21,000 to 35,76,000
University of Waikato	235	Rs 3,47,000 to 22,64,000
University of Canterbury	261	Rs 3,78,000 to 29,82,000

Best Colleges in USA for Indian Students

University	QS World University Rankings 2025	Average Tuition Fees
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	Rs. 35 lakhs to 1.2 Crore
Harvard University	4	Rs. 16 lakhs to Rs. 72 lakhs
Stanford University	6	Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 1 Crore
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	10	Rs. 43 lakhs to Rs. 53 lakhs
University of Pennsylvania	11	Rs. 18 lakhs to Rs. 66 lakhs
University of California, Berkley	12	Rs. 22 lakhs to Rs. 68 lakhs

Top Courses to Study in New Zealand vs USA

While considering the comparison of New Zealand vs USA for international students, the course you choose to study impacts your decision among the countries. Studying the popular courses in the countries offers you better course options and plenty of career opportunities upon course completion in the country.

Popular Courses in New Zealand vs USA for Indian Students

New Zealand	USA
Information Technology	Computer Science
Engineering	MBA
Hospitality management	Medicine
Agriculture	Business Analytics
Health care	Information Technology
MBA	Finance
Animation	Engineering
Medicine	Data Science

Admission Requirements in New Zealand vs USA

While applying for the universities in these countries you have to meet the admission requirements. These requirements can be different depending on the university and the course you apply. However, you can check the below-given admission requirements which are quite generic in the country you prefer.

New Zealand vs USA admission requirements

Particulars	USA	New Zealand
Academic Scores	Minimum GPA of 2.0 to 3.0	Minimum GPA of 3.0
English Language Proficiency Tests	IELTS TOEFL PTE Duolingo	IELTS TOEFL PTE CAE
Application Deadlines	Fall intake: November to December (of the previous year) Spring intake: July to October Summer intake: December to January	February Intake: November to December July Intake: February to June
PG Entrance Exams	GRE GMAT, MCAT	GRE and GMAT
UG Entrance Exams	ACT, SAT, LSAT	SAT, MCAT, LSAT

Cost of Living in New Zealand vs USA for International Students

The living costs in New Zealand vs USA majorly depend on the rental charges and the location you choose to live. While considering the cost of living all the elements like food, accommodation, transportation, groceries, clothing, etc. So, it is essential to consider the cost differences which you require to spend for living in this country.

In general, the cost of living in USA is Rs 1,67,000 per month. Whereas in New Zealand the living expenses are around Rs 90,000 per month. From the below table know the breakdown of living expenses required to stay in these countries.

Living Expenses in New Zealand vs USA

Particulars	USA	New Zealand
Food	USD 150 - 200	NZD 400 - 600
Accommodation	USD 1000 - 2000	NZD 1,000 - 2,000
Transportation	USD 150 - 200	NZD 100 - 150
Utilities	USD 100 - 350	NZD 150 - 200
Personal Expenses	USD 500	NZD 300

Post Study Work Permit in New Zealand vs USA

Countries like New Zealand and the USA allow international students to stay and work in their country for up to 3 years after course completion. The duration of this visa permit will depend on the course you study here.

For New Zealand, the post-study work visa is valid for up to 3 years. So if you study degree-level courses like master's, bachelor's, and PHD you can stay in New Zealand for up to 3 years to search for jobs and work for 3 years.

If you study non-STEM courses like arts, finance, physiology, etc, in the USA you can stay in the USA for 1 year through the optional practical training(OPT) program. This OPT can be done either during the study period or either after completing the courses. Whereas, the post-study work permit for STEM courses like science, engineering, etc is up to 2 years, with 1 1-year OPT extension.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is better, the USA or New Zealand for students?

Both countries are good in academics but while considering the costs, New Zealand is quite more affordable than USA. Also, the tuition fees in the New Zealand universities are quite low when compared with the USA. So based on your preference, you can choose your best study destination.

2. Which country is good, USA or New Zealand?

In terms of safety, New Zealand ranks in the top 4th place in the 2024 Global Peace Index, whereas the USA ranks 132nd position. So New Zealand is more safer for students than the USA.

3. Is New Zealand better for international students?

New Zealand is one of the best student destinations offering quality education with globally recognised degrees. All the universities here adhere to global standards and are regularly monitored by the government to ensure high-level education.

4. Which country is better for international students USA or Australia?

Both countries offer better quality education and globally ranking universities. So, candidates based on their interests and preferences choose their study destination.

5. Can I get PR in New Zealand?

Yes, Indians can get PR in New Zealand. Those who stay here for 5 years with a residency visa can apply for New Zealand PR.

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Questions related to

New Zealand is good for Masters in CS?And New Zealand offers 1 year Masters in CS?

Hello Aspirant.

New Zealand is a great place for studying abroad as it offers a quality education as well as good quality of life. The education system of New Zealand is also designed to be at the advantage of students.

For complete information regarding studying in New Zealand, refer to this link - https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/study-in-new-zealand-1

Now, coming to your concerned course ,i.e. Masters in Computer Science, it will be wise to consider studying in New Zealand due to a number of reasons. The factors for it are - all of New Zealand's universities are among 3% of top universities globally, etc.

For complete information regarding Masters in Computer Science from New Zealand, refer to this link - https://www.upgradabroad.com/articles/masters-in-computer-science-in-new-zealand/

Hope you find this helpful. All the best.

Read Complete Answer

Aditi Gupta 18 July,2022

so after doing mbbs in india , how can i do my post graduation in new zealand and eventually get settled there , also what are the things and expenses to consider ?

To compare your qualifications to those of a doctor trained in New Zealand, go to the Medical Council's website at www.mcnz.org.nz first. Before submitting any job applications, speak with the Medical Council immediately to apply for registration. You should speak with the closest New Zealand consulate office to determine whether you are eligible to immigrate to this nation. These are often found in the New Zealand High Commission or Embassy in the majority of foreign nations.

Your expenses will be majorly covered by the stipend you get and you'll have to arrange some more money for your fees and your stay/food etc.

Hope I have answered your question. All the best!

Read Complete Answer

thakurvishesh1 27 July,2022

are colleges in new Zealand good and affordable for btech ?

Hello,

To begin with, New Zealand has more than a half dozen universally-ranked universities offering courses that aren’t only up-to-date and practical but unique in many ways. Also, the small class size, typical of most universities in New Zealand, is built for hands-on educati on. Many students come to New Zealand because the tuition fee is amongst the lowest in the world, or may be because they want to take advantage of the abundant work opportunities that are on offer.

To get to know Living expenses and other details, refer the below link,

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/engineering-in-new-zealand-how-much-does-it-cost

Hope this will help you, good luck!!!

Read Complete Answer

prasanna raghupatruni 08 August,2021

In new Zealand what is the criteria to get into universities for ug course? Do 9 to 11 grade marks matter?

Hello Aspirant

Hope you are doing fine and great. As per your query, I would glad to tell you that admission system of new zealand universities are quite different from indian universities . They consider marks upto a certain level if you do have high academics scores still it is not neccesary that you will get good colleges. You need have to proper justified STATEMENT OF PURPOSE, LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION , HIGH ILETS BAND(ATLEAST 6.5) , transrcipt, CERTIFICATION In some short term courses, Extracicrcularrs like work in ngo or some social work. Try to build your profile in every aspects

Hope you found this answer helpful. Good luck for your future

Read Complete Answer

Bhavesh gupta 08 August,2021

Out of new Zealand and can't which country is better for higher studies as well as women safety ?

Hello,

Studying abroad is a big decision to make and for many, finding the right study abroad destination involves meeting several criteria. As You asked for the Safest Countries for Higher studies and Women Safety, Here are the countries,