Why study in the USA why not the UK or Canada?

When I wanted to do my Masters program, I had three countries as likely destination: the USA, the UK, and Canada.

These countries are highly rated by international students worldwide.

Therefore, to pick the best destination, I did proper research. I compared facts about the countries in terms of international education.

This was when I realized that studying in the USA offered more benefits.

Now, I’m done with school and I can tell you that “I made the right choice”.

If you’re torn between these three countries, here’s my personal experience and the reasons why I chose the USA over the UK and Canada.

Why study in USA why not UK or Canada?

I chose the USA over the UK and Canada because:

1. The USA has the best Universities in the world

One of the biggest reasons I picked the USA is its world-class universities.

According to recent World University Rankings, 7 out of the top 10 universities in the world are in the USA, including MIT (#1), Stanford (#2), Harvard (#4), and Caltech (#6).

In contrast, the UK has only two universities in the top 10 (Oxford #3 and Cambridge #5), and Canada has one, the University of Toronto.

For me, this was a major factor – it should be for you!

Studying in a country with many top-ranked institutions means better facilities, top research opportunities, and stronger global recognition.

2. More scholarship and financial aid opportunities

Let’s be honest—studying abroad is expensive – at least from my experience.

Tuition fees in all three countries are high, but the USA offers more scholarships and financial aid than the UK and Canada.

In the USA, over $8 billion in scholarships is awarded to international students every year – that is a crazy amount if you think about it.
Universities like Harvard and MIT have generous funding options that some even cover full tuition for eligible students.
In the UK, there are also many scholarships but they’re more limited. Plus some of them are often restricted to Commonwealth students.
Canada also has some scholarship opportunities but you can’t frankly compare it to what you have in the USA.

I personally applied for scholarships and was able to secure a 65% tuition reduction, plus welfare funds, something that would have been much harder in Canada or the UK.

3. More flexible education system

Flexibility is another thing I love about the American education system.

Unlike the UK, where students must specialize in their field from the first year, US universities allow students to explore different subjects before choosing a major.

For example, I was initially interested in business, but after taking courses in computer science, I realized that I had a passion for technology.

The ability to switch majors easily helped me make the right career decision.

In contrast:

In the UK, once you choose a degree, changing majors is difficult.
In Canada, the system is also flexible, but not like you have in the USA.

If you’re unsure about your career path, the USA will give you the time and freedom to decide.

4. Better job opportunities and higher salaries

As a student who wanted to spend more time in my study destination after my studies, one of my biggest concerns was getting a good job after graduation.

The USA offered a better option here as well.

The country has more job opportunities than the UK and Canada, especially in high-paying fields like tech, finance, and healthcare.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for STEM graduates in the USA is $100,900 per year, compared to $79,500 in Canada and £42,000 (USD 53,000) in the UK.

Another thing that ticked it for me is that the USA is home to the world’s largest companies, including Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Being in the USA increases your chances of landing a job with these global giants – and I couldn’t resist the chance of working with these giants.

5. More time to work after graduation (OPT vs. PGWP vs. Graduate Route)

International students in the USA have a huge advantage when it comes to post-graduation work opportunities.

In the USA, the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows international students to work for 1 year after graduation. If you graduate from a STEM program, you can extend it for another 2 years (a total of 3 years)!
In Canada, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows you to work, but the duration is only equal to your study length (e.g., a 2-year program = 2 years of work permit).
In the UK, the Graduate Route allows students to stay for only 2 years (or 3 years for PhD holders).

This means that STEM graduates in the USA can work for 3 years after graduation, compared to only 2 years in the UK and Canada.

For me, this was a game-changer because it gave me more time to gain experience, build my resume, and find a long-term job.

6. More opportunities for research and innovation

If you’re a fan of research and innovation, there is no better place than the USA.

The country spends over $679 billion on research and development (R&D) annually, the highest in the world.

Many US universities are directly linked to government and corporate research projects.

For example, students at MIT and Stanford usually work on real-world projects funded by NASA, Google, or Tesla.

On the other hand:

The UK invests about £44 billion (USD 55 billion) in R&D.
Canada’s R&D budget is only $41 billion, which is a lot lower than that of the USA.

If you dream of working on groundbreaking research, the USA is the place to be.

7. Larger and more diverse international student community

Another thing that convinced me to study in the USA was its diversity of international students.

The USA hosts over 1.1 million international students, the highest in the world.

By comparison:

Canada has only about 900,000 international students.
The UK has around 605,000.

Studying in the USA meant I could connect with people from all over the world, there was no way I’d miss that opportunity.

8. Better campus life and extracurricular activities

US universities have a true college experience –sports, student organizations, and exciting events.

For example, I joined a student-run startup incubator, where I met like-minded entrepreneurs and learned how to build a business.

This kind of experience shaped me a lot, and it is something I wouldn’t trade for anything else.

9. More internship opportunities while studying

One thing that surprised me in the USA was the abundance of internships.

Many degree programs encourage their students to go for an internship.

I did this during my time and it helped me gain real-world work experience before graduation.

Companies like Google, Tesla, and Microsoft actively recruit university students for internships.

In contrast, internship opportunities in the UK and Canada are more limited and competitive.

10. Higher earning potential after graduation

According to PayScale, the average starting salary for graduates in the USA is around $60,000 per year, while in Canada, it’s $49,000, and in the UK, it’s around £27,000 (USD 34,000).

This means that US graduates earn more money faster.

If you took a student loan during your studies, you’ll pay up faster.

Final words

After doing my masters in the USA, doing an 8-month program in the UK and a one-year program in Canada, I can confirm that the USA offered me the best opportunities for education, career growth, and personal development.

The country has:

Top-ranked universities with global recognition
More scholarships and funding options
Flexible degree programs with the ability to change majors
Higher salaries and better job opportunities after graduation
More time to work (up to 3 years for STEM graduates)
Stronger research and innovation programs

If you have the option of choosing between Canada, the UK and the USA, I’ll encourage you to go with the USA.

Choosing the USA is still one of the best decisions of my life, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for the best possible education and career opportunities.

Good luck!