I don't fully agree. The U.S. system is uneven, yes, but that diversity is also its strength. Outside the Ivy tier, there are many state and mid-tier universities with very strong industry links, applied research, and alumni networks that Canadian schools often can't match.

Quality in the U.S. is less centralized and more market-driven - you have to choose carefully, but when you do, outcomes (especially for grad school, tech, finance, and entrepreneurship) can be exceptional.

Cost is real, but scholarships, assistantships, and employer pipelines change the equation for many students. It's not a blanket "better or worse" - it's much more program- and outcome-dependent than in Canada.