IndiavsUnited States
Live 2026 data · Tuition, rent, visa, salaries, PR pathways & more
India
50
GoScore
Budget/mo
$280
Salary/mo
$620
United States
43
GoScore
Budget/mo
$2,500
Salary/mo
$4,500
AI insights unavailable
Study Abroad GoScore Ranking
GoScore 0-100 · Weights: affordability, PR pathway, safety, career & quality of life
Key Comparison Metrics
Public university tuition / year
Monthly student budget
Part-time wage / hour
Student visa fee
Post-study work visa
IELTS band required
Safety index
Quick Verdict — 2026
India wins for students on GoScore (50 vs 43). A 2-year master's degree costs $10,320 in India — 91% cheaper than United States.
United States wins for working professionals with a higher GoScore for careers (61 vs 35). After rent and basic expenses, professionals in United States retain $1,620/month — $1,516/month more than in India.
United States is stronger for permanent residence (GoScore 58 vs 51).
India vs United States: Complete Cost & Immigration Analysis 2026
Total Cost of a 2-Year Master's Degree
For a 2-year master's programme, the total cost of attendance (tuition + living) in India is approximately $10,320 — comprising $3,600 in public university tuition and $6,720 in living costs over 24 months. In United States, the equivalent is $120,000 ($60,000 tuition + $60,000 living). India is 91% cheaper on total cost of attendance, saving $109,680 over the degree.
Can You Cover Rent With Part-Time Work?
In India, the minimum part-time wage is $3/hour. Working 20 hours/week, a student earns $200/month — enough to cover 95% of rent outside the city centre. In United States, the same 20 hours/week at $15/hour earns $1,200/month — covering 75% of rent.
Real Monthly Savings After Living Expenses
After deducting rent (1-bed outside city), groceries, transport, and utilities, a professional in India retains approximately $104/month from an average net salary of $620. In United States, the figure is $1,620/month from $4,500. Over 5 years, this gap compounds to $90,960 in additional savings. For tech professionals, the gap is even wider: $1,550/month in India vs $10,000/month in United States.
Permanent Residency Timeline
India does not have a clearly defined PR pathway for international graduates. United States's pathway takes approximately 8 years. United States offers 12 months. The student visa fee is $0 in India and $510 in United States.
IELTS Score Required
To study or work in India, most visa categories require a minimum IELTS band of 0.0. United States requires 6.5. India has a lower IELTS threshold, which benefits test-takers who are close to their target band. Take a free IELTS mock test on mockDe to see exactly where you stand before applying.
| Metric | 🇮🇳 India | 🇺🇸 United States |
|---|---|---|
| Study GoScore | 50 | 43 |
| Work GoScore | 35 | 61 |
| Settle GoScore | 51 | 58 |
| Public university tuition / yr | $1,800 | $30,000 |
| Monthly student budget | $280 | $2,500 |
| Avg net salary / month | $620 | $4,500 |
| Rent 1-bed (city centre) | $380/mo | $2,200/mo |
| Post-study work visa | 0 months | 12 months |
| PR pathway | 0 years | 8 years |
| Safety index | 45 / 100 | 53 / 100 |
Fascinating Facts: India & United States
Understanding a country beyond spreadsheets — unique facts about each destination that shape the experience of living and working there.
🇮🇳 India
- 1.
India is the world's 3rd largest startup ecosystem with over 110 unicorns — more than the UK, Germany, and France combined.
Source: NASSCOM 2024
- 2.
India's IIT graduates earn salaries competitive with MIT and Cambridge graduates globally — with placements at Google, Meta, and Goldman Sachs.
- 3.
India will become the world's most populous country by 2023 (UN), with a median age of 28 — the youngest major economy in the world.
Source: UN Population Division 2023
- 4.
India produces 1.5 million engineers per year — more than any other country — creating both domestic opportunity and the world's largest pool of export talent.
Source: AICTE 2024
🇺🇸 United States
- 1.
OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows STEM graduates to work in the US for up to 3 years after graduation without requiring an H-1B visa.
Source: USCIS 2023
- 2.
The US hosts 4.4 million Indian-origin immigrants — the second-largest source country of immigrants after Mexico.
Source: US Census Bureau 2023
- 3.
A STEM master's graduate in the US earns on average $95,000/year — roughly ₹79 lakh at 2026 exchange rates.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024
- 4.
US universities occupy 15 of the world's top 20 positions — including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Caltech.
Source: QS 2025
- 5.
Indian professionals lead more Fortune 500 companies than any other non-American nationality — Alphabet, Microsoft, Adobe, IBM, and FedEx all have Indian-origin CEOs.
Popular Comparisons
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Data Sources
Editorial
Compiled by mockDe Editorial Team
Verified by IELTS-certified advisors with study-abroad counselling experience.
Freshness
Data reflects 2026 benchmarks.
Last reviewed June 2026.
AI verdict cached permanently; regenerated on data change.
All figures in USD. AI insights by Gemini Pro. Values are indicative — verify official sources before making relocation decisions.