Why Americans Should Consider Canadian Colleges
Universities North of the Border Have Many Advantages
Jun 24, 2009
Attending a private college in the United States is very expensive. Tuition can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year, forcing American students to take out huge student loans that take many years to repay.
However, for a cost comparable to a public, state college, Americans can get a four-year degree at Canadian colleges, many of which have the international prestige and graduate research opportunities found at Ivy League institutions.
The Exchange Rate Helps Americans Save
Although going to school in another country necessarily has extra expenses, such as moving costs, Americans are at an advantage when coming to Canada. For decades, the American dollar has been valued higher (sometimes much higher) than the Canadian dollar – it's worth about fifteen percent more, as of this writing.
As a result, when American students pay tuition and living expenses in Canadian dollars, they (or their parents) save more. The lower cost of living can help mitigate the need for student loans, or leave more money aside for entertainment or travel.
Tuition Rates are Lower at Canadian Colleges
The cost of tuition is also much lower in Canada, even without the favorable exchange taken into account. Unlike in America, where the federal government does not fund post-secondary education directly, in Canada, universities are funded by both the federal and provincial governments. Therefore, even "name brand" universities in Canada have tuition rates comparable to public schools in the U.S.
International students have to pay more than Canadians, but even so, costs are well below those at prestigious private schools in the United States.
For example, tuition and expenses for international undergraduate students at McGill University, in Montreal, is about $26,000–$35,000 (Canadian dollars) per year, depending on the program. A comparable year at Harvard costs about $52,000 (U.S. dollars). Also, American students can transfer FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) loans when they attend some Canadian colleges, such as Toronto's York University.
Canadian Colleges are Often Closer for Americans
American students may assume that going to college in Canada means that they'll have to travel farther away to go to school; but that is not necessarily true. About three-quarters of Canadians live less than one hundred miles from the U.S. border.
With most schools located in urban centers that are close to America, a major Canadian college is likely within driving distance for many Americans. For instance, a student from a northwestern state such as Washington or Oregon might find it easier to attend the University of British Columbia in Vancouver than to move to the east coast.
Canadian Universities Have International Reputations
Saving time and money by going to a Canadian univeristy doesn't mean that American students will lose out on a top-quality education. Many Canadian colleges, such as the University of Toronto or Kingston, Ontario's Queens University, are over one hundred and fifty years old, and have major international reputations in the arts and the sciences.
Many major Canadian colleges even have their fair share of American faculty, and large groups of U.S. students – so Americans need not feel too far from home. Yet Canada's multicultural mix means that American students are likely to meet others from all around the world as well. Getting a post-secondary education in Canada can provide perspective and unique experiences that can't be had at a local college.
Why Canadian Colleges are Worth Considering
American students applying to college shouldn't overlook Canadian universities. With a favorable exchange rate, lower tuition, cosmopolitan student experience, and international reputations, one of the many well-regarded Canadian colleges could be an excellent choice.
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