‘Trust me, it's worse in America': US woman living in India praises affordable Indian education, sparks online debate

Time of India

2 days ago

An American woman living in India has sparked an online debate after sharing a viral video comparing education costs in India and the United States. Kristen Fischer, who has been residing in India for four years, frequently documents her experiences on Instagram.
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In her latest post, she highlighted how Indian education is significantly more affordable than its American counterpart, even when factoring in salary differences between the two countries. Fischer explained that while US students often rely on expensive loans to complete their education, public college tuition in India costs only a fraction of the average annual income. Her perspective received thousands of reactions online, prompting discussions on global education affordability and funding challenges.
US woman compares India's low-cost education with expensive US tuition
Kristen began by addressing skepticism she receives whenever she mentions India's low-cost education. She broke down figures to make her point clear:
Median annual salary: India – Rs 3.3 lakh; US – Rs 41 lakh.
Public college tuition: India – Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 annually (3–15% of income); US – Rs 10 lakh to Rs 26 lakh annually (23–63% of income).
She concluded, 'Even after adjusting for salary differences, Indian education remains significantly cheaper. That affordability makes higher education more accessible to ordinary people.' This cost gap, she noted, means Indian students have fewer financial burdens after graduation, while many American graduates carry long-term debt.
Why US Education feels expensive
Kristen emphasised that education in the US is 'crazy expensive', forcing many students to take out student loans to complete college. Public colleges, meant to be affordable, still cost a significant share of annual income. For decades, US tuition fees have been rising faster than inflation, contributing to $1.7 trillion in student loan debt across the country.
She pointed out how India's affordable tuition and government-funded institutions give students the ability to graduate without being burdened by lifelong debt.
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According to Kristen, this accessibility is a major advantage of studying in India.
Kristen highlights India's affordable education beyond colleges compared to US costs
In her Instagram caption, Kristen clarified that her comparison wasn't limited to college education. She noted that school fees, vocational courses, and professional certifications are also much cheaper in India than in the US. She wrote, 'You may think college is expensive in India, but trust me, it is worse in the USA. In America, it is nearly impossible to pay tuition without a loan anymore.
India makes education more affordable and therefore more accessible.
'
This perspective resonated with students who are exploring study abroad options and those questioning the value of high-cost education models.
Social media reactions to Kristen's video comparing India and US education
Kristen's video quickly gained 47,000+ views and a wave of positive feedback. Many users thanked her for presenting India's education system in a positive light:
'You are showing good things about India, thank you so much.'
'In international circles, people only focus on negatives; you are sharing reality.'
'Hearing this from an American gives weight to the point.'
For many, the video sparked a larger conversation about student debt, quality of life, and whether expensive education truly leads to better outcomes.
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