Go8 vs Ivy League is one of the most important comparisons for students looking forward to studying in the USA or Australia. Even though both represent the same academic elite, they are very different in terms of expense, job prospects, and even lifestyle.
Have you ever wondered which group of universities would actually be tougher to get into if they went head-to-head?
When we look more closely, the difference becomes evident. The Go8 universities, representing Australia’s academic elite, are good for research and offer promising post-study work visa options. The Ivy League, on the other hand, is a set of top-tier universities in the USA. They are known for their high academic status and stronger alumni networks.
So, which one is better?
Let’s check it out with an in-depth breakdown of the admission requirements, popular courses, scholarships, jobs, and so on.
The Ivy League is a group of eight best universities in the USA and the world. These schools are known for rigorous academics and are always in the QS World University Rankings Top 30.
Apart from academics, the Ivy League is also known for producing global leaders. In fact, over 15 U.S. presidents and more than 150 Nobel laureates have graduated from the Ivy League. This strong mix of history, prestige, and power makes it so special from other schools worldwide.
Have a look at some of the prominent universities that are a part of the Ivy League:
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
- Dartmouth College
- Brown University
- Cornell University
If you look at the list of all Ivy League universities in the United States, you’ll see that they often appear in the Top 10 Universities in the US vs Australia 2025 rankings.
Fun Fact
The term “Ivy League” didn’t come from academics at all! A sports writer first used it in 1933, and it officially became an athletic conference in 1954. And the ironic part is that even though they started as sports schools, Ivy League schools today don’t give out athletic scholarships.
Most have strong alumni networks that span various industries, such as law, business, politics, and research.
The Group of Eight (Go8) is a group of eight top universities in Australia that are noted for their high-quality teaching and industry connections. They stand out because they do more than 70% of all university research in Australia and are very important in shaping national innovation and policy.
Check out the Go8 universities:
- University of Melbourne
- Australian National University (ANU)
- University of Sydney
- University of Queensland (UQ)
- University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
- Monash University
- University of Western Australia (UWA)
- University of Adelaide
All of them are located in Australia’s heartland and draw in millions of international student applications every year.
Fun Fact
Australian universities have “O-Week,” or Orientation Week, which is a lot more social and party-oriented than American orientations. Faculty societies also host getaway camps for first-year students that focus on partying and drinking instead of just academic orientation.
The Go8 has great programs in engineering, medicine, data science, and business for overseas students. They also have attractive post-study work visa possibilities that make the graduation much more valuable.
The dispute over which is better, the Go8 or the Ivy League, or Australia vs the U.S., relies on what you value more. Let’s check out where each fits the best:
Both represent the top tier of higher education in their countries, with top global rankings and teaching standards. Here’s a quick look at the list of Go8 universities in Australia and the list of all Ivy League universities in the United States:
Overall, the Ivy League universities seem to have a slight edge in rankings. Most of them are consistently placed in the top 50 of both rankings.
Did You Know?
Harvard University, the best Ivy League university, has delivered some of the most influential Indian alumni, like:
- Ratan Tata, industrialist and former chairman of Tata Group
- Anand Mahindra, business leader and chairman of Mahindra Group
- Rahul Bajaj, late industrialist and former chairman of Bajaj Auto
- P. Chidambaram, senior Congress politician and former finance minister of India
- Subramanian Swamy, economist and BJP leader known for his outspoken views
- Kapil Sibal, lawyer, politician, and former Union minister
- Mira Nair, acclaimed film director and producer
Go8 universities, on the other hand, usually rank in the top 50–100 range, which is still very impressive but not as high as the Ivy League average.
Selection Criteria
Being research-focused, Go8 universities mainly look for your academic records. Most of the time, you need to satisfy a certain academic threshold (which could be between 85% and 95%). There is no room for negotiation on English proficiency exam scores.
On the other hand, the Ivy League looks at you as a whole person above academics. They want to see that you can help make their campus a better place. If you’ve good leadership skills or artistic abilities, you’ll enjoy a preference in their admission process.
Here’s what you need to get admission for each:
| Documents |
Go8 (Australia) |
Ivy League (USA) |
| Academic Transcripts |
Required |
Required |
| English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) |
Required |
Required |
| Standardized Tests |
Sometimes required; GRE or GMAT scores will be needed for a few universities |
Almost always needed |
| Statement of Purpose / Essays |
Required, but mostly only for PG admissions |
Compulsory |
| Letters of Recommendation |
Sometimes required |
Mandatory (usually 2–3 required) |
| Extracurricular Achievements |
Not mandatory |
Highly valued |
Selection Rate
Several reports suggest that Go8 universities accept between 20% and 45% of applicants, depending on the course. The Ivy League, on the other hand, has very low admission rates, usually less than 10% and sometimes as low as 4%. In fact, Ivy is actually known for being picky.
So, why does one have a better chance?
Well, there are many reasons. The application funnel is the most important thing. You have a good chance of securing admission if you meet the precise academic and English language requirements for a Go8 university.
But that’s not the case with the Ivy League. Thousands of people with flawless grades and test scores are trying to get into an Ivy League school, but only a few spaces are available.
The admissions committee wants something special about you, like a great talent, a powerful life event, or a fascinating personal story. This “X factor” is what makes you more likely to win.
Go8
The Go8 (Group of Eight) is a group of Australia’s best universities that work together to move the country (and the world, as a whole) with innovation. They attract massive funding from the Government and industries for that.
Research is a big part of their curriculum, especially at the graduate level. Students often learn from top professors in the country.
So, it’s a good choice if you want to get real exposure and build industrial connections. That makes it the right fit for students pursuing:
- Engineering
- Medical
- Science
- Maths
Ivy League
The Ivy League universities in the United States are more focused on intellectual discovery and building critical thinking skills in a wide range of subjects. Their undergraduate programs are meant to be flexible.
Fun Fact
A lot of Ivy League schools have their own special traditions for students. For example, every year on the night before the organic chemistry tests, students at Columbia University get together as a band and march to the library. Harvard makes it even crazier. To relieve stress, students run naked through Harvard Yard at midnight before finals!
Before choosing a major, students are encouraged to attend classes in a wide range of subjects, including:
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Economics
The Ivy League is known for using this kind of cross-disciplinary approach.
University Tuition Fees
The Ivy League colleges are private, and their tuition is pretty high. The average yearly cost of tuition for an Ivy League undergraduate degree in 2025 is expected to be between ₹52.3 – ₹61.0 lakhs.
Yet that’s justified to a great extent due to an exceptional academic atmosphere and a level of status that is hard to beat.
The Go8 (Group of Eight, Australia) universities, on the other hand, are a better choice for people on a budget. They are well-known and well-ranked public universities. An undergraduate degree may cost anywhere between ₹19.7 – ₹28.1 lakhs.
And the difference becomes much more evident for PG courses. Generally, it costs less to study PG courses in Australia than in the US.
Living Expense
When we think about the cost of studying PG Courses in the US vs Australia, living expenses are also a major factor that we need to consider. Here also, Australia is a bit lighter compared to the USA.
The cost of living in the United States can be very different depending on where you live. Living in a big city like New York or Boston, where many Ivy League institutions are located, will cost a lot of money for a student. Healthcare costs are a big and frequently unforeseen expense.
Australia, on the other hand, has expenditures that are easier to estimate and a healthcare system that is cheaper. Check out a monthly living expense comparison of Australia and the United States of America:
| Expense Category |
Australia (Monthly Expense) |
USA (Monthly Expense) |
| Accommodation (Shared) |
₹33,720 – ₹67,440 |
₹69,680 – ₹1,30,650 |
| Food And Groceries |
₹16,860 – ₹33,720 |
₹21,775 – ₹34,840 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) |
₹8,430 – ₹14,050 |
₹5,226 – ₹17,420 |
| Internet |
₹2,810 – ₹4,496 |
₹3,484 – ₹6,968 |
| Public Transportation |
₹5,620 – ₹11,240 |
₹6,097 – ₹17,420 |
| Health Insurance |
₹6,632 – ₹8,430 |
₹6,532 – ₹17,420 |
| Entertainment |
₹5,620 – ₹14,050 |
₹8,710 – ₹21,775 |
| Total |
₹79,692 – ₹1,53,426 |
₹1,21,504 – ₹2,46,493 |
Even though the tuition fees of Ivy League universities are comparatively higher, they offer more scholarships and financial aid opportunities than most Australian universities. Most of them are for students with a weak financial background and cover the entire tuition fee.
The Go8 institutions in Australia also provide great scholarships. But many of them are based on merit rather than need. Have a look at the best scholarships for international students in US and Australia:
| University |
Category |
Benefit |
Eligibility |
| Harvard University |
Ivy League |
Covers 100% of demonstrated need |
Need-based assessment |
| Columbia University |
Ivy League |
Covers 100% of demonstrated need |
CSS profile assessment |
| Princeton University |
Ivy League |
Covers 100% of demonstrated need |
Need-based assessment |
| ANU Global Diversity Scholarship |
Go8 University |
$18,750 per annum |
Academic merit |
| Monash International Merit Scholarship |
Go8 University |
$10,000 per annum |
Academic achievement |
| UNSW College Award |
Go8 University |
$10,000 per annum |
Academic merit |
Let’s make it clear. Neither the Go8 (Group of Eight, Australia) nor the Ivy League (USA) offers any special post-study work rights on its own. All that matters is the stay-back period mentioned in the respective immigration law. So, let’s have a look at that:
Australia
Australia is considered to be one of the best study abroad countries for international students when it comes to post-study work privileges.
International students can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) once they have studied at a recognized Australian school for at least two years. The period of stay varies depending on the level of qualification:
| Level of Qualification |
Stayback Period |
| Bachelor’s degree |
Up to 2 Years |
| Master’s degree (coursework and extended masters) |
Up to 2 years |
| Master’s by research and Doctoral degree (PhD) |
Up to 3 years |
One notable benefit is that students who graduate from universities in regional areas (not Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane) gain an extra 1–2 years on their post-study visa. This policy has made the remote campuses of Go8 colleges even more appealing to students who want to remain longer.
USA
In the USA, the main option for international graduates is the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows students to work in their field of study after graduation. Here, the duration depends on your course:
- Regular OPT lasts for 12 months for all graduates who are qualified.
- Students in STEM-designated courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) can get an extra 24 months, bringing the total to 36 months.
But the OPT system is not the final word. Students need to have an H-1B work visa to get started, actually. And it’s given out through a lottery each year. That makes things unpredictable for students who want to stay for a long time.
The Ivy League (USA) and Go8 (Australia) provide excellent job opportunities. But the kind of job depends on the country’s economy and projects.
The US job market is quite large and diversified, with technology, finance, healthcare, and research being some of the biggest areas of growth. And the US Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), lists many of the fastest-growing occupations in the renewable energy field.
The job market in Australia may be smaller, but it is growing quickly and is centred on fields like engineering, IT, hospitality, and construction. The 2032 Brisbane Olympics is a big deal for the next ten years. The Australian government states that it will create over 122,900 full-time equivalent job years nationally.
Now, let’s have a look at the most popular jobs in the US and Australia and their estimated annual salary ranges (as per Glassdoor):
| Job Role |
USA |
Australia |
| Software Developer |
₹67,91,400 – ₹88,20,000 |
₹51,98,895 – ₹57,76,550 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) |
₹66,15,000 – ₹88,20,000 |
₹49,10,067 – ₹54,87,422 |
| Civil Engineer |
₹59,09,400 – ₹88,20,000 |
₹48,52,002 – ₹57,76,550 |
| Teacher |
₹34,39,800 – ₹57,33,000 |
₹46,21,240 – ₹57,76,550 |
| Account |
₹51,15,600 – ₹83,79,000 |
₹40,43,585 – ₹57,76,550 |
1. Do Ivy League and Go8 universities have their own entrance tests?
No, they don’t have their own entrance tests. You just need to clear the language tests and sometimes, specific tests like GRE, GMAT, etc.
2. Do employers appreciate degrees from Australia as much as those from the U.S.?
Yes. Both are well-known worldwide, yet the level of respect may differ from place to place. For instance, an Ivy League degree may be more valuable in North America than a Go8 degree.
3. Is it possible for international students to work while they are in school?
Yes. International students in Australia can work up to 48 hours every two weeks, while the restriction in the US is 20 hours per week.
4. Which one makes it easier to get permanent residency?
Australia. Because the country offers a stay-back for up to four years. The government has also published regional visas and skilled occupation lists to speed up the process. However, the US PR pathway is pretty long and depends on luck (as the work visa is allocated on a lottery basis).
So, which one should you choose: Go8 universities or Ivy League schools? Australia or America?
At the end of the day, the best choice relies on your long-term ambitions, job aspirations, and budget. But this is not a choice you can make lightly. You need to have a thorough understanding of many things.
That’s where The Chopras – TC Global comes in. We take the time to understand your ambitions and give you research-based information to help you make the right choice.
Your future deserves expert guidance. Sign up for a free one-on-one consultation with us today!
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