USA VS Australia: Which Is Better For International Students in 2024?

USA and Australia are among the top countries for students who are thinking of studying abroad. Both countries boast world-class education, a wide range of job opportunities, and a quality lifestyle for international students. However, choosing between USA vs Australia is a tough decision for international students. Therefore, in this article, we have covered a detailed analysis of Australia vs America considering factors such as education, cost of living, top universities, job sectors, and other significant determinants that will help students make a clear decision.

The United States held the top spot as a study abroad destination for Indian students for the last two decades. However, as per the latest trends, study in Australia is witnessing a major influx of Indian students due to its foreign degrees, immigration-friendly policies, esteemed universities, and promising career prospects upon graduation.

USA is a popular destination for international students as it offers a technologically advanced lifestyle, career opportunities, and dynamic employment rate all over the world. Whereas, Australia has achieved potential candidates over the years due to its cheaper living expenses and work opportunities for immigrant workers. Therefore, USA or Australia which is better for international students is completely dependent on individual preferences and goals of the students.

Read the entire article to find out more about the educational system, USA vs Australia admissions standards, cost of living, and other important differences for students who want to study abroad in 2024.

USA vs Australia for International Students: Highlights

USA or Australia Which is Better for Education?

Is Australian education better than American? USA is the land of some of the world’s highest-ranked universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Caltech which offer more programme variety for both undergraduate and master’s. Whereas, top-ranked Australia universities stress more on quality education with a focus on employability within affordable tuition fees. Therefore, determining which country is more suitable for Indian students completely depends on the personal preferences of the students.

Here, we have covered a vivid description of USA vs Australia education system to assist students in choosing the best option between both countries.

USA Education System

USA education system offers generally three types of degrees for international students for higher education: Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD. Generally, a master’s in USA has more programme variety and career perspectives for Indian students. USA master’s duration is generally 1-2 years.

Undergraduate degrees in USA offer significant funding for research and opportunities for innovation. A bachelor's degree in USA usually lasts four years. Indian students can directly apply for a PhD in USA which lasts around 4-7 years. PhD programmes in USA generally include advanced coursework, qualifying tests, a dissertation based on original research, and a dissertation presentation.

Australia Education System

Australia universities emphasise more on its quality, course specialisation, and research field. The majority of universities in Australia are public and funded by the government. Types of degrees offered by Australia for international students:

• Undergraduate Degrees: The duration of a bachelor's degree in Australia is typically 3-4 years. Many students apply for an additional year of study following a bachelor’s (Honours) degree, focusing on research.

• Master’s Degree: A master’s in Australia typically lasts for 1-2 years. This includes academic coursework and a minor thesis.

• Doctoral Degree: A PhD in Australia universities involves 3-4 years of original research, culminating in a thesis.

Additionally, Australia offers multiple graduate certificate and graduate diploma courses for 6 months to 1-year duration offering specialised training and in-depth knowledge in specific fields.

Australia vs USA: Popular Courses for International Students

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• Study in USA for Indian students

• USA VS Germany

USA vs Australia: Admission Requirements

Admission criteria in the United States and Australia differ by university and course. However, for Indian students, a brief USA vs Australia comparison of basic eligibility criteria is provided below.

USA Admission Requirements

Indian students who are planning to apply to top USA universities need to know certain requirements before starting the application process. These admission requirements may vary based on the institution, course (undergraduate or graduate), and the location of the university. However, here's an overview of the regular requirements:

• Students must complete their high school diploma or equivalent programme from a recognised university.

• Many colleges require or suggest standardised tests such as the SAT or ACT for undergraduate applications and the GRE or GMAT for graduate admissions.

• Candidates must fulfill the minimum GPA requirements for certain programmes.

English Language Proficiency

Candidates from a non-English speaking country must demonstrate their proficiency in English language to get admission to different universities. Most of the top US universities accept TOEFL or IELTS scores. While certain universities may accept alternate methods such as the Duolingo English Test.

Study in USA: Application Process

Applying to study in the United States entails multiple processes, including researching programmes, schools, and institutions, completing the application procedure, and meeting deadlines. The application process for US universities typically involves the following steps:

• Research and choose universities.

• Check the deadlines.

• Complete the application form.

• Submit standardised test results (if required).

• Attach your English proficiency scores.

• send your official transcripts.

• Please attach letters of recommendation (optional for some universities).

• Finally, pay the application fees.

Study in USA: Documents Required

Students applying to US universities must present the following documentation to ensure the process proceeds well.

• Academic transcripts

• Standardised test scores like SAT and ACT

• English Proficiency Tests like IELTS Academic and TOEFL (iBT)

Intakes in US

Australia Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for higher education in Australia vary depending on the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate) as well as the institution and programme.

Australia Academic Requirements

• Students must complete the Australian Year 12 or equivalent from a recognised university.

• For a master’s in Australia, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field from a recognised institution is mandatory.

• Some programmes, such as medicine, law, and engineering, may have higher entry requirements or additional prerequisites.

English Language Proficiency

All international students need to demonstrate English language proficiency through the following tests:

• TOEFL iBT (internet-based test): Minimum scores typically range from 60 to 70.

• IELTS Academic: Minimum scores typically range from 6.0 to 6.5.

• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum scores typically range from 50 to 64.

Study in Australia: Documents Required

• Valid passport

• Australian university admission letter

• English language proficiency test scores such as the IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.

• Academic transcripts

• Proof of funds to cover study and living expenses in Australia.

• Health insurance during the study period in Australia.

• Intent to return to home country after studying in Australia.

• Health examinations like TB, HIV, etc.

International students need to apply for a student visa in Australia to study in this country. The Subclass500 Australia study visa for international students enables them to stay and study for up to 5 years depending on the course length. Students can apply for a visa after securing admission to an Australian university.

Intakes in Australia

There are 3 major intakes to apply to the Australian universities for international students. The application deadline for admission to Australian universities varies with each university. There are however two general deadlines for study in Australia in 2024:

• Intake 1: Application date starts in February

• Intake 2: The application date starts in July.

USA or Australia for Master’s

It is quite challenging to identify which country is better for a master’s for international students as it depends on the specific priorities and goals of the students. The duration for a master’s in USA and Australia is the same i.e., 1-2 years.

A master’s in USA offers a variety of master’s programme recognised by a wider range of employers internationally. Whereas, study master's in Australia can be more affordable compared to the USA.

Australia vs USA Which is Better for Masters?

USA or Australia Which is Better for Living?

Which country is better suited for international students than USA vs Australia for living depends on various factors including cost of living, quality of life, healthcare, cultural diversity, and overall environment. USA promises a better quality lifestyle for international students equipped with modern amenities and technological advancement. Whereas, living in Australia is quite affordable for international students. Therefore, many Indian students prefer Australia to reduce their financial burden.

USA vs Australia: Tuition Fees

The average fees in US for international students range between USD 10,000 and USD 38,000 per year for undergraduate degrees and USD 25,000 to USD 60,000 per year for master's programmes. In contrast, fees in Australia for international students range between Rs. 831754.65 - Rs. 1829860.23 annually for an undergraduate degree and approximately Rs. 1109006.20 - Rs. 2051661.47 annually for a master’s.

USA vs Australia Cost of Living

As per the latest statistics, the cost of living in USA is 7.7% higher than in Australia. Generally, the cost of living in Australia is more expensive for groceries, housing, and utilities, whereas, the cost of accommodation in USA is approximately 25.7% higher than in Australia.

Australia vs USA Cost of Living

USA VS Australia for International Students: Scholarships

Australia and USA are among the top countries that offer scholarships and grants for international students to complete their higher education in their respective universities. International students can apply for a variety of scholarships in both the USA and Australia, but there are differences in the number, types, and standards of these opportunities.

Australia vs USA Scholarship

Also Read:

• Scholarships in USA for Indian students

• Scholarships in Australia

USA vs Australia Top Universities Ranking

Many USA universities are among the world's top universities according to ranking bodies like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings. However, Australia also holds a good position in several world-class universities with strong reputations.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Harvard University, and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) are among the top-ranked world universities for international students in USA. A few top universities in Australia for international students include University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), University of Sydney, Australian National University, and others.

Top Universities in Australia

Top Universities in USA

The QS Ranking Report 2024 ranks some of the best colleges in the United States based on several factors, including student life, infrastructure, and education. These universities offer a high-quality education with good career opportunities. A list of top 10 universities in USA is mentioned below.

Best Universities in USA 2024

USA vs Australia, Which is Better for a Job?

Both the USA and Australia offer excellent job opportunities with their unique advantages. Australia provides a good work-life balance and opportunities for skilled migration, whereas, USA is well-known for its high earning potential and dynamic job field. Therefore, students are advised to consider factors such as industry, career goals, lifestyle preferences, and immigration options before selecting the best country between Australia vs USA.

Employment Sectors in USA

The most popular employment sectors in the USA are:

• Healthcare

• Finance

• Information technology

• Construction

• Hospitality industry

Post-Study Work in USA

The United States has three categories of student visas: F1, M1, and J1.

• International students must get an F1 visa to work temporarily in their field of study. An F1 visa holder may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to stay and work in the United States for up to three years after completing their studies.

• Students can apply for a STEM OPT Extension by requesting an I-20 as early as 90 days before their current 12-month OPT expires.

• An H-1B Visa is valid for three years and can be extended for up to six years.

Employment Sectors in Australia

The most popular employment sectors in Australia are:

• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

• Construction

• Finance and insurance

• Healthcare

• Hospitality and tourism

Work Permit in Australia

International students have the opportunity to work after studying in Australia. With the help of a post-study work stream, students can stay and work in Australia for 2 to 4 years. To be eligible for this visa, students have studied a CRICOS-registered course.

Students who have graduated from the courses that are relevant to the specific occupations listed on the skilled occupation list of Australia can also apply for a Graduate work stream visa in Australia. Under this visa, students will be able to stay and work for 18 months in Australia.