Country Comparison: USA Vs Germany

Both USA and Germany are some of the popular study abroad destinations among international students. However, it is often confusing to choose which country is better for higher studies. In this article, we will discuss about the programs offered in both the countries, their admission requirements, top universities, the cost of studying, and more, so that you can make an informed decision between two of the top study-abroad destinations.

To get a broad understanding of which is better to study - USA or Germany applicants can check out this complete and comprehensive guide. There is everything about the popular courses, jobs, student visa, admission processes, fees, scholarships and lot's more. Check out which one is better - studying in USA or studying in Germany from India. 

US vs Germany: Country Highlights

Popular Courses in USA Vs Germany

We have listed below the top courses offered in both USA and Germany:

USA:

Germany:

Admission Requirements in USA Vs Germany

We have listed below the admission requirements of universities in both USA and Germany:

USA:

For undergraduate (UG) courses, you need to have completed 12 years of schooling. To get admission though you need to appear for the SAT exam.

In postgraduate (PG) courses, you need 16 years of education. For Indian students, it translates to 12 years of schooling and four years of undergraduate education. But since most Indian colleges offer three years of education at UG level, you might need to take up a one-year course to cover up the difference. If you have studied from premier Indian institute, some US universities might accept your three years’ degree as well, although the cases are rare. You can check with the university’s admissions cell and ask about your case. To get admission in management courses you will have to appear for GMAT, and for science courses you need to give the GRE exam.

There are no cutoffs for colleges, so you need to score the best that you can in all the exams. Colleges provide average scores accepted to different courses on their websites. That will give some idea about what’s considered a good score. You will also need to appear for language exams like TOEFL or IELTS, irrespective of the degree. Even if the colleges may not require any language test for Indian students, you should still give either TOEFL or IELTS as they are important for the purpose of getting a visa.

In the case of MBA, you might be required to have a few years of work experience.

Germany:

Universities in Germany are often funded by the state but not necessarily regulated by it. So every university decides its own eligibility criteria and cut-off. Hence, it is advisable to check the university website for the specific program’s eligibility criteria.

To pursue undergraduate courses in Germany you should have completed your 12th class and either one of the below -

• Cleared JEE Advanced
• Completed one year of bachelor degree education from a recognized university in India
• Cleared the Feststellungsprüfung – the entrance exam for different universities you would take to signify effective completion of Studienkolleg.

High level of competition at the application stage results in universities asking for as high as 90% in your secondary school examinations. However, in case you have cleared your JEE Advanced, the cut off is 50%.

For a postgraduate program in Germany, you would need a German equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subjects. Apart from this basic requirement, the universities might also require you to have scored well in GMAT or GRE. For international students, IELTS or TOEFL, along with working knowledge of German language are required. For German taught programs, high level of proficiency in the language is required and you will be required to take either TestDAF or DSH.

Top Ranking Universities in USA 2025

The table given below specifies the top 10 universities in USA as per the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Top Universities in Germany 2025

Check the top 10 universities in Germany as per the QS World University Rankings 2025:

Cost of Studying in USA

Check the cost of studying in USA for undergraduate and postgraduate courses from the table given below:

Cost of Studying in Germany

Check the cost of studying in Germany for undergraduate and postgraduate courses from the table given below:

Student Visa for USA and Germany

We have listed below the details of a student visa in USA Vs Germany:

USA:

• A full-time student visa is called an F1 visa. This visa has the following regulations -
• A personal interview is compulsory, and you will be required to appear for an appointment to provide Biometrics.
• You can remain in the US for up to 90 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete your academic program unless you have been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program (Optional Practical Training).  Note that the employment must be directly related to your field of study and appropriate to your level of education. Also, you do not need a job offer before applying for OPT, and your job can be anywhere in the United States. Besides this, you can also change jobs during the course of your OPT period.
• It costs USD 160 to apply for this visa along with the SEVIS fee of USD 350. You will be required to pay an additional USD 160 for the dependent visa (per dependant)
• You cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, breaks, and summer sessions, the student may work up to 40 hours per week. The student can only work on-campus for a commercial firm that provides services to the college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria.

Germany:

• To stay in Germany for more than 90 days as a student, you are required to get a residence permit.
• You are required to show funds worth EUR 11,208 per year as proof of funds required for the cost of living.
• A residence permit issued to students is valid for a maximum of two years. It needs to be renewed if the duration of the course is longer than the stated two years.

• Students can work 20 hours per week and 40 hours per week during holidays. Presently, Germany is the only country where a student can pursue a part-time technical job in a related industry. Some universities also offer part-time jobs on campus called Hi/wi.

Post-Graduate Work Visa in USA and Germany

Below, we have talked about post-graduate work visa in USA Vs Germany:

USA:

If students want to stay back in the US to gain practical knowledge in their subject, they have the option to do so through OPT. It is temporary employment permission allowing students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study for a 12-month period. You can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but you cannot begin employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document.

The Student Co-Op Program is a formally structured program where the intent is to recruit students, while still in school, to fill permanent positions upon graduation. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities. In most cases, you will have to apply for Work Visa upon getting a full-time job of permanent nature.

Students who study STEM courses are given a stay back of 3 years.

Germany:

International students are required to apply for a Residence Permit after completion of their education from a German University. The Immigration Laws permit the students who have completed their degree to apply for a Residence Permit of 18 months duration to look for a job related to their qualification. This permit is not combined with the Student Visa for Germany and you need to apply for it separately at the foreign nationals’ registration office.

In case you have a job offer that is relevant to your stream of education even before you complete your education, you can directly apply for a Residence Permit or an EU Blue Card.

Popular Job Sectors in USA Vs Germany

In this segment, we will talk about the most popular job sectors in USA Vs Germany:

USA:

Some of the most lucrative job roles for international students after completing their courses are Lawyer, Management Consultant, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Software Engineer, etc.

Germany:

Permanent Residency in USA and Germany

Given below are details of permanent residency in USA Vs Germany:

USA:

Permanent residency option is possible but it is a very long-drawn and slow process. It is a complicated process and requires the person applying for it to reside in the US for at least five years on the grounds of employment. After that you will be granted a “Green Card”, but the whole process might take years to complete.

Germany:

If you have been living in Germany for five years on a German residence permit, you can apply for a German permanent visa. There are exemptions for shorter stay time requirements. After eight years if living there, you become eligible to apply for German citizenship. In case you marry a German citizen, you can apply of German citizenship immediately.

Scholarships Offered in USA Vs Germany

Check below the list of scholarships offered in both US and Germany:

Climate Conditions in USA and Germany

Know more about the weather and climate conditions in USA Vs Germany:

USA:

The US is a huge area of land and has varied temperatures and climates in different areas. East Coast has a warm climate and covers cities like California and Arizona.  The Midwest and New England regions have frozen winters and cover cities like Chicago, Boston.  The Pacific Northwest has a humid oceanic climate and covers cities like Seattle, Portland. The Southwest has a hot desert climate and covers cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas. The south-east has a warm to the hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston, New Orleans.

Germany:

German summers are hot and the winters are cold and snowy, but rains are unpredictable and common during all seasons. The average winter temperature is 3°C and in summers it is 22°C. Maximum temperatures commonly reach -10°C in winter and 35°C in the summer months. The country is divided into 16 states and has an exceedingly varied landscape, so it is difficult to generalise the weather for the whole country.

As per the World Bank, this is the climate comparison of both countries: USA and Germany