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There was a time when disparity in cost of British and American education was huge. This used to frighten the grumbling parents who would look at the fee structure in US universities and the immense burden shouldered by American students before they become quiet about their own fee. They would be satisfied with how their children enjoy their academic life just studying while their American counterparts work part time trying to pay off their debt loads.

Today, there is a complete turnaround of the situation. Cost of British university education is all set to triple and parents no more sneer at the cost of American universities. The growing preference for American education among British students is evident with the rise in the number of applications at the top US universities. Applications have increased by one third last year.

Norman Renshaw who runs the InTuition services says that the entire US market has opened up for the British undergraduates due to the fee rise. As it is evident to parents that universities in UK are not exactly making any investments even as they increase the fees, they are forced to look elsewhere, says Renshaw.

They are in fact looking westward and never before have we seen more interest in American colleges among British students says the Fulbright Commission. This commission facilitates student flow to and from the Atlantic.

Lauren Welch, the senior advisor of the commission says that this year, the number of UK students in American colleges have gone up by two percent and stands at 8,861. This figure, she says, is even before fees became a big issue in UK.

There are frantic efforts by American universities to make hay while the sun shines. They are striving to reap this sudden harvest even as more numbers of applicants are being turned down by British universities.

According to Robert Spatig from the University of South Florida who specializes in hunting for freshers from Britain, as compared to any other nationality, there are more number of British students coming into Florida. He says that the fee of $15,000 charged by their university is pretty much the same as their £9,000 fee mark.

Apart from this, US universities also offer scholarships starting from £4,000 a year apart from lower costs of living and better weather, says Robert. However, compared to South Florida, not all American Universities are affordable. For an undergraduate course, you have to pay a minimum of £12,000 at the universities that are state funded.

If you want to study in private universities, you will have to shell out £16,800. This is excluding the living costs. Welch says that if you do not choose with care you will end up applying to universities you have never heard of as there are a total of 4000 universities in US to choose from. Only seventy among them are ranked at the top 200.

It is imperative for British students therefore to take the help of reliable university ranking guides and consider vital aspects such as level of academic requirement and student population size.