Graduate School Strategy ยท 2026-01-06

U.S. vs Canada vs UK: A Quantitative Comparison for International Students

Side-by-side comparison of post-study work options, visa routes, costs, and employment outcomes across the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

Choosing between the U.S., Canada, and the UK often comes down to post-study work options, employment outcomes, and long-term immigration pathways. Below is a structured comparison of key metrics for international students planning a graduate degree.

Metrics Comparison

Typical master's length

  • United States: Often 1-2 years (program dependent)
  • Canada: Often 1-2 years (program dependent)
  • United Kingdom: Often 1 year for taught master's programs

Post-study work option

  • United States: OPT up to 12 months post-completion; STEM OPT extension +24 months (total up to 36 months for eligible STEM)
  • Canada: PGWP valid 8 months up to 3 years (depends on program length; master's often eligible for longer durations under current rules)
  • United Kingdom: Graduate visa 2 years if you apply on or before Dec 31, 2026; 18 months if you apply on or after Jan 1, 2027; PhD graduates get 3 years

Long-term work route

  • United States: Typically employer-sponsored work visa after OPT (commonly H-1B, plus other categories depending on case)
  • Canada: Work experience on PGWP often feeds into PR pathways (Express Entry or PNP)
  • United Kingdom: Typically switch to Skilled Worker (sponsorship) after the Graduate visa

Student visa proof of funds benchmark (living expenses only)

  • United States: No single national number; costs vary by school and city (I-20 uses school budget estimates)
  • Canada: For applications Jan 1, 2024 to Aug 31, 2025, CAD 20,635 for one person outside Quebec; from Sep 1, 2025, CAD 22,895 for one person outside Quebec
  • United Kingdom: UKVI maintenance commonly communicated as GBP 1,334 per month (London) or GBP 1,023 per month (outside London) up to 9 months

Graduate outcomes: employment or work

  • United States: National graduate outcomes are fragmented; outcomes depend heavily on field and visa sponsorship
  • Canada: 2020 international student grads who stayed were 88.6% employed three years after graduation (vs 91.0% for Canadian grads)
  • United Kingdom: Graduate Outcomes (2022/23 cohort) show 88% in work or further study 15 months after graduation; 6% unemployed

Salary benchmark (national, comparable, and citable)

  • United States: Median weekly earnings for bachelor's-and-higher in Q1 2025 are $1,754 per week; annual medians by education show advanced-degree earnings are higher
  • Canada: Canada-wide, field-specific medians vary widely; employment rate comparisons are more consistent than a single graduate salary number
  • United Kingdom: Median salary (full-time paid employment) for UK full-time first-degree grads is GBP 28,500 (Graduate Outcomes 2022/23)

Quick Summary

  • U.S.: Highest earnings potential and strongest upside in tech, finance, and consulting, but long-term work is less predictable and employer sponsorship becomes the gating factor. OPT is clearly defined, and STEM can reach 36 months.
  • Canada: Most straightforward long-term settlement story for many students; strong employment outcomes for international grads who remain (near 89% employed at 3 years), and proof-of-funds requirements are explicit.
  • UK: Fastest degree timelines (often 1-year master's), clear post-study work window, but the Graduate visa duration is time-bounded and tightening (18 months from 2027 for most grads).