Study Abroad Costs
USA vs Canada vs UK for MS in CS/AI — Which Country Lets Me Repay My Education Loan Fastest?
Propelld AdvisorMarch 24, 20262 min readEducation LoansMS in Computer ScienceStudy AbroadLoan RepaymentWork VisaCareer Paths
In Brief
USA wins for loan repayment speed. Despite costing ₹45L (most expensive), the ₹6-7L/month salary and 3-year OPT means you repay in 3-5 years with EMI at just 8% of income. Canada is the safest long-term choice (PR pathway, balanced finances). UK has the tightest repayment math and only an 18-month work visa. For the loan: use SBI or Bank of Baroda with your property as collateral — your family profile gets you 8.5-9.5%. Avoid Prodigy Finance entirely.
The Short Answer
For loan repayment speed, USA wins. The salary-to-EMI ratio is simply unmatched — your monthly EMI of ₹47,000 will be about 8% of your take-home income in the US, compared to 10% in Canada and 12% in UK. Despite being the most expensive option, you pay off the loan fastest.
| Factor | USA (Purdue) | Canada (Toronto) | UK (Edinburgh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cost | ₹45L | ₹38L | ₹35L |
| Work visa duration | 3 years (OPT+STEM) | 3 years (PGWP) | 18 months |
| Monthly salary (post-tax) | ₹5.5-6L | ₹3.5-4L | ₹2.8-3.2L |
| Monthly EMI (9%, 15yr) | ₹47,000 | ₹40,000 | ₹37,000 |
| EMI as % of income | 8% | 10% | 12% |
| Loan payoff timeline | 3-5 years | 5-7 years | 7-10 years |
UK's 18-month Graduate visa cannot be extended. You must get Skilled Worker sponsorship within that window or leave with significant loan balance. UK is the riskiest choice if loan repayment is your primary concern.