US vs Ireland: Which is the Better Study Abroad Destination?

Students may be perplexed by the dilemma of whether they should select the United States or Ireland for their higher education, particularly in light of job opportunities. However, you can eliminate your doubts based on a number of factors that can help you end the USA vs Ireland debate for good. It is totally understandable if you are confused between these two nations as both of them offer a plethora of opportunities for career growth. If the US is a land of opportunity, then Ireland is a country of incredible growth. But feel free to throw away all your concerns, because we are about to clear all your confusion. In this blog, we will compare both countries and conclude which one is a better study-abroad destination. 

Let’s dive deep into the comparison between the US vs Ireland in this blog.  

Parameters	USA	Ireland
Area	9.834 Million KM²	84,421 KM²
Currency	United States Dollar ($)	Euro (€)
Capital	Washington, D.C.	Dublin
Total Higher Education Providers	4,313	22
Total Indian Students Studying (As of 2022)	211,930	4,000
Average Cost of Living	$2,500 – $3,500 Per Month	€1,000–1,500 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	$7,000 – $55,000 Per Year	€12,000 Per Annum
Popular Job Sectors	Tech and IT, Energy, Marketing/Creative, Life sciences, Healthcare, Retail, E-commerce, and Business Services	Technology, Accounting and Finance, Construction, Creative Design, Web Development, Nursing, and Business Skills.
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	Up To 20 Hours Per Week During School Sessions and Full Time During Holidays	Up To 40 Hours Per Week During Holidays and 20 hours Per Week During the School Year

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

Top Universities: US vs Ireland

When deciding on a career, picking the best universities is crucial. We have provided below a comprehensive list of the top universities in the USA vs Ireland. At the end of this section, we will conclude which one is a better country when it comes to highly ranked universities.

Universities in the US

Here are the top universities in the US for higher education:

Top Universities in the US	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	5
Harvard University	4	2
Stanford University	5	3
University of California Berkeley (UCB)	10	8
University of Chicago	11	13
University of Pennsylvania	12	14
Cornell University	13	20
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	15	6
Yale University	16	9
Princeton University	17	7
Columbia University	23	11
Johns Hopkins University	28	15
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	29	21
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	33	23
New York University (NYU)	38	24

Universities In Ireland 

Here are the top universities in Ireland for international students. In addition, also find their QS and THE Rankings:

Top Universities in the Ireland	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin	81	17
University College Dublin	171	201–250
University of Galway	289	301–350
University College Cork	292	301–350
Dublin City University	436	401–500
University of Limerick	426
Maynooth University	801-850	401–500

Which Country is Better?

As you can see from the above, the universities in the US hold a higher rank than the universities in Ireland. Hence, we will give a score of +2 to the US for this. 

Also Read: How To Choose The Right Study Abroad Destination

Admission Requirements

If you decide to pursue a degree in the USA vs Ireland, you should carefully review the requirements in each nation. In this section, we will be looking at the admission criteria for the universities in each of the countries. 

Admission Requirements For US

Here are the eligibility requirements you need to fulfil in order to be considered eligible to be admitted to the universities of the US:

• You need to score a minimum TOEFL score of 55 to 79, or equivalent for bachelor’s degree programs
• You need to score a minimum TOEFL score of 55 to 89, or equivalent for master’s degree programs
• Further, the students need to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.5, or equivalent in the previous study. 
• They will also need to have a minimum score of 1500-1600 on the SAT, 25 on the ACT, 50-70 on the PTE Academic, 6-6.5 on the IELTS, and 3.7 on iTEP. 
• The applicants must have completed high school or equivalent. 
• The students must hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent (when applying for a master’s program). 
• Additionally, the candidates will have to submit certain mandatory documents like recommendations, essays, resumes, and a copy of their valid passports. 
• The students also need to demonstrate the evidence for financial support which is required for the I-20 Form.

Admission Requirements For Ireland

Here are the eligibility criteria for studying at the universities of Ireland:

• The students need to have secured a minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS, 90 in TOEFL iBT, 36 (UG), 63 (PG) in PTE, and C1 or C2 in Cambridge ESOL.
• In addition, the applicants must be valid passport holders. 
• They also need to be able to provide proof of having adequate funds.
• The students must have a medical insurance policy with a value of at least €25,000.
• You also need to provide certain mandatory documents such as: 

1. Two passport-size photos
2. A letter stating your acceptance into a college
3. Receipt as proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees
4. Additional requirements as stated by the university

Which Country is Better?

The difficulty level of getting admission to the universities in both countries is almost equal. However, Ireland loses the game in this section as one needs to buy medical insurance of a value of at least €25,000 in order to study there. Therefore, it is not possible for every student to afford this. So, US gets +2 for this particular paramater of the US vs Ireland debate.

Also Read: Study in USA: Things You Need to Know Before Studying in USA in 2023

Tuition Fees

In this section, we will find out which country is cheaper to study in. In addition, the country with the lower cost of studying will be granted +2 points. So, let’s dive into the comparison of tuition fees in the US vs Ireland. 

Tuition Fees in US

According to the websites of the universities in the US, this is what the average tuition fees look like in the country: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	$8,000 to $40,000
Postgraduate	$10,000 to $60,000
Doctoral	$28,000 to $55,000

Tuition Fees in Ireland

According to the websites of the universities in Ireland, this is what the average tuition fees look like in the country: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€9,000 to €26,000
Postgraduate	€9,000 to €35,000
Doctoral	€9,000 to €40,000

Which Country is Better?

As you can see, Ireland has a lower tuition fee when compared to the US. Hence, we are granting a +2 score to Ireland for its lower cost of studying. 

Living Expenses

Living expenses are one of the main concerns when choosing a study-abroad destination. Let’s compare the cost of living in the US vs Ireland, and find out which country is less expensive. 

Cost of Living in the US

This is what the living expenses look like in the US according to Numbeo:

Monthly Rent	$1,382.53 – $3,055.29
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	$3,205.66 – $4,725.85
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	$20
Average Transportation Cost	$70
Average Cost of Utility	$306.27 Per Month

Cost of Living in Ireland

This is what the cost of living in Ireland looks like according to Numbeo:

Monthly Rent	€1,240.15 – €2,483.62
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€3,454 – €4,765.23
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost	€100
Average Cost of Utility	€276.21 Per Month

Which Country is Better?

While the home prices can be higher in Ireland than in the US, other costs like the monthly rent and utility are higher in the US. Hence, the overall cost of living in Ireland is lower than in the US, as we can see from the above tables. Therefore, Ireland receives +2 points in this section. 

However, if you’re looking for study abroad loans, you can always reach out to FlyFinance.

Also Read: Best Universities in Ireland

Work Permit and PR

Students often pursue education abroad with the motive that they will find a job there and finally get a permanent residence. Hence, let’s compare the easiness of obtaining a work permit and PR in the US and Ireland. 

Work Permit in the US

Let’s see how a work permit is granted in the US:

Eligibility for a Work Permit in the US

The immigrants eligible for a work permit in the US include:

• K-1 Fiance Visa holders,
• DACA recipients,
• Asylees,
• Immigrants with extraordinary abilities,
• Immigrants with pending adjustment of status (green card) applications,
• Immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED),
• Certain exchange visitors,
• Spouses of some visa holders,
• F-1 students who are experiencing financial hardship who want to apply for optional practical training (OPT), and 
• Approved temporary workers.

How to Apply for a Work Permit in the US

Follow these steps to apply for a work permit in the US:

Step 1: You need to apply for an immigration status that allows you to work in the US.

2nd Step: Use USCIS Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization in order to apply for a work permit. 

Step 3: Prepare and submit mandatory documents like a copy of your passport photo page, a copy of your original Form I-94 travel record, and two 2-inch-by-2-inch passport-style photos of yourself. 

4th Step: Now, pay the filing fee. USCIS charges a fee of $410 to process most I-765 forms. 

Step 5: After you have completed your Form I-765, gathered your supporting documents, and paid the filing fee, it’s time to submit your application for a work permit to USCIS.

Form I-765 processing generally takes US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) about 6.7 months. 

PR in the US

Green Cards, also known as alien registration cards, are granted for 10-year terms. A person who has been a lawful permanent resident for five years through employment or for three years through marriage to a citizen of the United States is entitled to petition for citizenship.

Must Read: Is It Easy to Get PR in USA?

Work Permit in Ireland

Let’s see how a work permit is granted in Ireland:

Eligibility for a Work Permit in Ireland

Those who are eligible for an Ireland Work Permit must meet the requirements given below:

• The candidate ought to be employed under a contract. They might also have a proposal from an Irish business.
• The employer must pass the Labour Markets Needs Test if the applicant is looking for a work visa (other than the Critical Skills Employment visa). 
• This test guarantees that the employer of Irish descent was unable to locate an Irish or EU/EEA/Swiss citizen qualified for the open position.
• The candidates’ annual salary must be at least €30,000 or €80,000 in order to qualify for a Critical Skills Employment Permit. This depends on the type of job they are looking for.
• Applicants for General Employment Permits must earn at least €30,000 annually.
• Except for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit, the minimum yearly wage must meet the National Minimum Wage.
• At least 50% of the employees of the Irish-based company that is recruiting the work visa applicant must be from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.

How to Apply for a Work Permit in Ireland?

The selection of the type of work permit a candidate wishes to apply for is the first step in the application for an Ireland work permit. The candidate must complete the relevant application form after deciding on the type of work permit they desire. 

Applicants must be patient while waiting for an update on their work permit status in Ireland. 

The processing time for an Ireland work permit is approximately 13 weeks. Visit the DBEI website to find out the current status of your work visa for Ireland. This webpage allows you to look up the status of your visa in Ireland. You can pick up your visa once Ireland’s visa status has been approved.

PR in Ireland

Your individual circumstances will determine whether you are qualified for permanent residency in Ireland. You probably qualify for permanent residence in Ireland if you are a non-EEA citizen who has been residing legally in the country for 5 years in a row and you have an employment permit.

Which Country is Better?

As we can see from the above comparison, getting a work permit and PR in Ireland is easier than in the US. Hence, we are giving Ireland +2 points in this section. 

Also Read: MBA in Ireland

Average Salaries: US vs Ireland 

According to Indeed, the average annual salary stands at $55,260 in the US after finishing graduation. On the other hand, it is $85,502 after completing postgraduation, as per Glassdoor. The average salary after graduation is €33,383 per year in Ireland, while it is €65,000 after postgraduation, according to Talent.com. 

Which Country is Better?

As we can see, the US offers a higher salary than Ireland. So, we are granting the US a +2 score for this particular parameter of the US vs Ireland debate.

Also Read: MS in Ireland

Other Major Elements

Let’s look at some other major elements that are crucial for deciding your study-abroad destination between US vs Ireland. Here are these crucial factors:

US vs Ireland: Climate

The climates of the US and Ireland are very different. The US boasts a wide variety of climates, from Florida’s tropical to Alaska’s cold. Depending on the area, temperatures might range from -40 to +50 degrees Celsius. The amount of precipitation varies by region, with some getting heavy rainfall and others having dry weather. 

Natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, and floods frequently occur in the US. Ireland has a year-round moderate climate with regular rains. The warmest months are from June through August, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 25°C. Additionally, Ireland is renowned for its regular fog, especially along the coast. Despite their rarity, storms and flooding can occur in Ireland.

US vs Ireland: Safety

According to many surveys, Ireland is safer than the US overall, particularly when it comes to violent crimes. But crime rates have decreased recently in the US as well. According to many surveys, Ireland is safer than the US overall, particularly when it comes to violent crimes. But crime rates have decreased recently both abroad and in the US. Coming to the US, the majority of US states, including Iowa, Minnesota, and others, are safe.

US vs Ireland: Culture for International Students

The culture in Ireland is friendly, patriotic, and influenced by English, Scottish, and Anglo-Normal culture. The country is also renowned for its amazing delicacies. Coming to the US culture, the country emphasises freedom of expression, independence, and an open mind to experiencing many cultures. 

Also Read: MS in Ireland

Conclusion

If we calculate the scores of the US vs Ireland competiiton, we see that both countries have received a total of 6 points, which means that it’s a draw.

It’s challenging to choose between Ireland and the US because each nation has particular advantages and disadvantages. It is preferable to select a course or area of study first, and only then make a decision after weighing the availability of educational facilities and general financial support in the two countries. You will make a better choice as a result.  

FAQs

So, this was all about the US vs Ireland. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.