Studying in USA vs. Australia: Which is Best For You? 

Choosing between studying in America and Australia can be challenging for international students. Both countries have much to offer regarding higher education, quality of life, and opportunities. 

This blog post will compare studying in America and Australia across key areas: Quality of Higher Education, Cost of Higher Education, Quality of Life, Employment Opportunities, and Immigration Policies for International Students. 

This comparison aims to help you make an informed decision about your study abroad destination.

Quality of Higher Education in the USA vs. Australia

When it comes to higher education, Australia is home to world-class universities. However, the dominance of US universities in the top rankings of universities relative to Australia is night and day. 

According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, 27 US universities are in the top 100 list, while Australia has 7 universities in the top 100.

However, it is essential to note that university rankings are more focused on an institution's research output and quality than teaching quality. 

If you're evaluating both countries for quality of teaching alone, Australia definitely holds its own. 

However, regarding the quality of research programs, which is particularly important for those seeking research-based graduate study programs, the United States offers much more than Australia. 

Highlights:

- Both the USA and Australia offer high-quality education and teaching

- International students seeking research-focused institutions may find more options in the US

Cost of Higher Education in the USA vs. Australia

The cost of education for international students varies significantly between the US and Australia. 

Generally, tuition fees in the United States are higher than in Australia.

For example, the average US tuition fee for an international undergraduate student is around $26,000 USD per year. While in Australia, it's approximately $20,000 USD per year. 

However, living expenses - which is an essential consideration to factor - in Australia can be relatively high, seeing as the vast majority of Australia's population are nestled in urban centers like Sydney and Melbourne - where the cost of living is significantly higher than other areas of Australia and even many US cities. 

This is in stark contrast to the United States, where the cost of living in many of the other 40+ states is relatively low outside of some coastal states like New York and California.

As a result, Australian international students might find themselves paying higher living expenses than their American counterparts living and studying in many US cities with a medium cost of living. 

Thereby offsetting the savings you get with Australia's relatively lower average tuition & fees rate for international students.

Highlights:

- Tuition fees in the US are generally higher than in Australia

- Living expenses in Australia may offset the difference in tuition costs

Quality of Life in the USA vs. Australia

Quality of life is often the most debated when most people consider studying abroad. 

This factor is very subjective to ranking both countries, as one person's preference could be another person's dislike.

So we'll look at more objective differences between these countries, such as healthcare, taxation, climate, and geographical conditions. All of which contribute in some way to the perceived quality of life. 

Healthcare in Australia is publicly funded and generally more affordable than in the US, where healthcare is primarily privatized. 

So for those looking for a country where you'll have peace of mind when accessing medical care as a nonimmigrant, Australia beats the United States. 

Taxation is another factor to look into, particularly if you seek long-term employment in either of these countries during or after your education as an international student. 

As the saying goes, it's not about how much money you make but how much you keep.

Income taxes in the US are slightly lower than those in Australia. There are several states in the United States - such as Texas and Florida, to mention a few - where there is no state tax on your income. 

In contrast, across all States in Australia, there is a state tax levied on your income. 

And regarding climate and geographical differences, Australia boasts warmer weather with beautiful beaches and outdoor activities. At the same time, the US offers a diverse range of climates, from tropical Florida to snowy New England.

However, given Australia's isolation from many parts of the world - visiting friends and family in your home country will be a significant challenge to contend with during your studies. 

Highlights:

- Healthcare in Australia is more affordable than in the US

- The cost of living in Australia is generally higher than in the US

- Australia offers a warmer climate, while the US provides a more diverse range of climates

Employment Opportunities in the USA vs. Australia

An increasing percentage of international students have recently funded their education with student loans. 

Thanks to the popularity of international education and better access to capital to fund studying abroad in many developing countries,

For many of these students who take out thousands of dollars to fund their education abroad, the ultimate goal is to repay their debt using wages earned from high-income employment in the country of study or upon returning to their home country.

And to this end, choosing a country with good employment opportunities for nonimmigrants like international students is critical. 

Both the United States and Australia offer strong job markets for students graduating from higher institutions. 

And international students have a good shot at getting a slice of that pie - although not to the same degree as their local peers. 

And the size of this employment pie is where these two countries differ significantly. 

The US has a larger economy and population, which may provide more job opportunities overall. 

However, Australia's strong economy and relatively lower competition make it an attractive destination for international students seeking employment.

Highlights:

- Both the US and Australia offer strong job markets for graduates

- The US has a larger economy, while Australia has less competition for jobs

Immigration Policies for International Students in the USA vs. Australia

Immigration policies for international students can significantly make or break their overall experience and future opportunities. 

After all, your hopes of studying in either country largely depend on your ability to secure a student visa. 

In terms of obtaining a student visa to either country, your experience will depend to a significant degree on your Nationality. 

For some, getting an Australian student visa could be a walk in the park, while it could be difficult for others. 

However, once you've arrived and begun your studies, every nonimmigrant is subject to and must comply with the same laws. So your Nationality becomes insignificant. 

Two important immigration laws to consider are how international students are allowed to work during and after their studies and the immigration laws that will enable them to transition from a nonimmigrant student status to other long-term worker status or to a permanent status such as permanent residency. 

Related: Read our article on choosing between USA vs Canada for international students.

Regarding working during studies, both countries allow international students to work part-time while school is in session. 

However, Australia has more flexible work conditions for international students than the United States. 

For example, Australian laws allow international students to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the semester and full-time during breaks. 

While American laws only allow international students a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session. 

However, students can only work off-campus if they've received special authorization from their school. 

Another limitation of the United States employment laws for international students is that in circumstances where you are authorized to work off campus, the nature of this employment must be such that it is directly related to your field of studies. 

While in Australia, your employment off campus must not be required to be related to your field of study.

Post-study work opportunities are also crucial for many international students. 

Australia offers the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), which allows eligible international students to work in Australia for up to 4 years after completing their studies. 

In contrast, the US offers the Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to work for up to 12 months (or up to 36 months for STEM graduates) after completing their studies.

When transitioning from a student visa to a temporary work visa and to permanent residency, Australia has more straightforward pathways for skilled immigrants, with no caps on the number of people who can obtain permanent residency from any country. 

In comparison, the transition from a student status to a US employment-based immigration system is quite complex. As there is no clear path compared to those afforded to international students in countries like Australia and Canada. 

Highlights:

- Both the US and Australia allow international students to work part-time during their studies, but Australia offers more flexible work conditions

- Australia provides a more extended post-study work visa option than the US

- Australia has more straightforward pathways to permanent residency than the US

Final Thoughts

When deciding whether to study in the United States or Australia, it is essential to consider the quality and cost of higher education, quality of life, employment opportunities, and immigration policies in each country. Both countries have unique strengths and advantages, so weighing these factors based on your individual preferences and goals is crucial.

For example, suppose you prioritize a warmer climate, more affordable healthcare, and more accessible pathways to permanent residency. In that case, Australia may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, the United States may be a better fit if you're seeking a more diverse range of climates, a larger economy with potentially more job opportunities, and a more significant number of research-focused institutions.

Ultimately, choosing between studying in America or Australia depends on your preferences and goals. Take the time to research and consider all aspects of each country to make an informed decision about the best study destination for you.