Study abroad or domestic? Exams, scholarships, costs & campus life compared.

Planning college? There are two huge options ahead: stay back in India, or head to a university abroad. Both have their advantages, and both come with challenges. This article lays it all out, in numbers and in money, so you can choose with your heart and your common sense.

1. Entrance and the application exams 

In India:
When applying to domestic colleges, your exam depends on your ambition:

  • Engineering: JEE Main and JEE Advanced

  • Commerce/Liberal Arts: DUET, CUET, etc.

  • Private universities (like LPU or Galgotias): May conduct their own exams such as LPU NEST for scholarships

Going abroad? Expect:

  • Standardized exams: GRE, GMAT, SAT

  • English proficiency tests: IELTS, TOEFL

  • Deadlines: Apply early—especially for master’s programs or overseas scholarships—at least 8 to 12 months in advance

2. Costing the funds – fee structures

Domestic costs vary by institution:

  • LPU: Large scholarships can reduce fees, but hostel and mess charges can add up

  • Galgotias: Offers full and partial tuition waivers for board toppers, merit holders, and high scorers in JEE, CAT, or CLAT

Studying abroad? Be prepared for higher expenses:

  • USA: Tuition ₹17–30L + Living ₹15–18L

  • Canada: Tuition ₹9–30L + Living ₹4.5–13.5L

  • UK: Tuition ₹10–25L + Living ₹6–13L

  • Germany (Public): Tuition is almost free, but administrative and living costs apply

3. Scholarships

In India:

  • LPU: Offers many internal scholarships based on performance and financial need

  • Galgotias: Academic excellence medals, sports quotas, defense-category subsidies

Abroad? It’s competitive—but the support exists:

  • National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)

  • Fulbright-Nehru, K.C. Mahindra, Inlaks Shivdasani, J.N. Tata scholarships

  • Chevening: Full UK-based leadership scholarship

  • Erasmus Mundus: Covers EU program tuition + living expenses

  • State schemes like Maharashtra’s Rajarshi Shahu Scholarship also support international students


Domestic scholarships are generally easier and faster to access. Studying abroad has funds available, but the process is more selective and requires patience.

4. Campus Life – Here vs. out there

Domestic Campus Energy:

  • LPU: Like a city—with hospitals, malls, 24/7 services, and campus-wide events

  • Galgotias: Focuses on career prep, workshops, and a student culture that’s placement-driven

Campuses Abroad:

  • Smaller class sizes, diverse cultures, and well-structured student organizations

  • Hands-on learning, internship exposure, and varied teaching methods

  • Greater freedom—but also more personal and academic adjustment needed

Craving international growth, independence, and global opportunities—and willing to plan for it? Go abroad.

There’s no “right” or “wrong” path—only your path. What matters is the thought you put in, the planning you do, and how well you align your choice with your dreams. Whether you build your career at home or under a foreign sky, this guide helps you plan with clarity and courage.

Keywords: study abroad vs domestic, scholarships abroad India, campus life abroad vs domestic, education costs comparison

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