Everybody knows that Canada has some of the best universities in the world. But it’s also a costly country to live in, especially if you’re an international student.Â
So, we’ve compiled a list of 20 cheap universities in Canada for international students. These are affordable institutions with high-quality education programs, so don’t let sticker shock scare you away from studying abroad.
Are you interested in finding out about these cheap universities in Canada for international students?
Table of Contents
Benefits of Studying in Canada
Studying in Canada is a great way to turn your education dreams into reality. Not only that, but it’s also an excellent way to get to know a new country and culture while you’re at it.
Without any doubt, Canada has enjoyed a long-term economic and education boom, which is why it is one of the best countries to study in today. Its diversity and cultural inclusion are other factors why it is equally one of the countries international students chose as their study destination.
Here are just some of the benefits of studying in Canada:
- Great opportunities for research and development.
- Access to world-class facilities, such as labs and libraries.
- A wide range of courses, from arts and languages to science and engineering.
- A diverse student body from all over the world.
- Opportunities for work/study programs, internships, and job shadowing.
Is Studying in Canada Expensive?
Studying in Canada is not expensive, but it’s not cheap either.
In fact, it’s more expensive than studying in the United States but less expensive than studying in other English-speaking countries like Australia and the UK.
The cost of tuition and living expenses is higher than what you’d pay in the US because of Canada’s high standards of living and social services. But if you’re able to find a good job after graduation, those costs will be more than made up for by your salary.
There are also many grants and scholarships available for international students that can help reduce your costs.
However, the upside is that there are schools in Canada that have low tuition fees that most international students can afford. In addition to this, these schools also offer great courses that many of these students will find rewarding, and worth their investment.
List of the Cheapest Universities in Canada
If you are an international student looking to apply for study in Canada, and you’re looking for schools that have low tuition costs, these are the right schools for you:
- University of the People
- Brandon University
- Université de Saint-Boniface
- University of Guelph
- Canadian Mennonite University
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- University of Northern British Columbia
- Simon Fraser University
- University of Saskatchewan
- University of Calgary
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- College of the North Atlantic
- Algonquin College
- Université Saint-Anne
- Booth University College
- Holland College
- Humber College
- Canadore College
- MacEwan College
- Athabasca University.
20 Cheap Universities in Canada for International Students
Please note that the tuition fee prices written in this article are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
1. University of the People
About the school: University of the People is a nonprofit, tuition-free online university. It’s fully accredited and has 100% job placement.Â
They offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration, computer science, education, health professions, and liberal arts.
Tuition fee: $2,460 – $4,860
2. Brandon University
About the school: Brandon University is a Canadian public university located in Brandon, Manitoba. Brandon University has a student population of over 5,000 students and a graduate student population of over 1,000 students.Â
It offers undergraduate programs through the faculties of business and economics, education, fine arts & music, health sciences, and human kinetics; as well as pre-professional programs through the School of Graduate Studies.Â
Brandon University also offers graduate programs through its School of Graduate Studies including Master’s degrees and doctoral degrees in Education Studies/Special Education or Counselling Psychology: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner); Psychology (Master’s Degree); Public Administration Management; Social Work (Master’s Degree).
Tuition fees: $3,905
3. Université de Saint-Boniface
About the school: Université de Saint-Boniface is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It’s a bilingual university that offers undergraduate and graduates degrees in Business, Education, French Language, International and Diplomatic Relations, Tourism Management, Nursing, and Social Work. The student population numbers about 3,000 students.
Tuition fee: $5,000 – $7,000
4. University of Guelph
About the school: The University of Guelph is the oldest post-secondary institution in Canada. It is also one of the most affordable universities for international students.Â
The school offers a variety of programs at all levels, from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral degrees. All four campuses are located in Ontario’s capital city, Toronto.Â
There are over 29,000 students enrolled in this public university which offers over 70 undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs including master’s degree and Ph.D. programs.
Tuition fee: $9,952
5. Canadian Mennonite University
About the school: Canadian Mennonite University is a private university located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduates degrees through its three academic faculties: Arts & Science; Education; and Human Services & Professional Studies.Â
Academic programs include Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, History or Religious Studies; Bachelor of Education; Bachelor of Music Performance or Theory (Bachelor of Music); and many other options.
Tuition fee: $4,768
6. Memorial University of Newfoundland
About the school: The Memorial University of Newfoundland is a public university in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Canada. It has a two-campus system: the main campus located on the west side of St. John’s Harbour, and the Grenfell Campus located in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, and Labrador.
With historical strengths in education, engineering, business, geology, medicine, nursing, and law, it is the largest university in Atlantic Canada. It is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of Newfoundland and Labrador, which accredits degree-granting institutions in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Tuition fee: $20,000
7. University of Northern British Columbia
About the school: If you’re looking for a university that offers the best of both worlds, check out the University of Northern British Columbia. Located in Prince George, BC, this university is the largest institution of higher learning in Northern BC and has been recognized as one of Canada’s top research universities.
The University of Northern British Columbia is the only comprehensive university in the region, meaning they offer everything from traditional arts and sciences programs to programs that focus on sustainability and environmental studies.Â
The school’s academic offerings are divided into four different faculties: Arts, Science, Management and Social Sciences, and Health and Wellness. UBC also offers several opportunities for international students.
Tuition fee: $23,818.20
8. Simon Fraser University
About the school: Simon Fraser University is a public research university in British Columbia with campuses in Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver. SFU is consistently ranked among the top universities in Canada and around the world.Â
The university offers more than 60 bachelor’s degrees, 100 master’s degrees, 23 doctoral degrees (including 14 Ph.D. programs), as well as professional education certificates through its various faculties.
Simon Fraser University also includes the following faculties: Arts; Business; Communication & Culture; Education; Engineering Science (Engineering); Health Sciences; Human Kinetics; Science (Science); Social Sciences.
Tuition fee: $15,887
9. University of Saskatchewan
About the school: The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was founded in 1907 and has a student population of 20,000.
The university offers undergraduate degrees through the Faculties of Arts; Education; Engineering; Graduate Studies; Kinesiology, Health & Sport Studies; Law; Medicine (College of Medicine); Nursing (College of Nursing); Pharmacy; Physical Education & Recreation; Science.
The university also offers graduate programs through its Graduate School and Graduate Programs within its Faculties. The university’s campus consists of over 70 buildings including residence halls and apartment complexes. Facilities include an athletic center with gym facilities as well as fitness equipment for members to use free of charge during their stay at the university.
Tuition fee: $827.28 per credit.
10. University of Calgary
About the school: The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta. It is western Canada’s highest-ranked university according to Maclean’s magazine and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.
The university was established in 1966, making it one of Canada’s newest universities. There are over 30,000 students enrolled at this school, most of whom come from over 100 countries around the world.
This school offers more than 200 different undergraduate programs as well as over 100 graduate programs for you to choose from.Â
Tuition fee: $12,204
11. Saskatchewan Polytechnic
About the school: Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a polytechnic university in Saskatchewan, Canada. It was founded in 1964 as the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences. In 1995, it became known as Saskatchewan Polytechnic and made its first campus in Saskatoon.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a post-secondary institution that offers diploma, certificate, and degree programs in a variety of fields. We offer short-term programs that can be completed in as little as two years and long-term programs that take up to four years.
Tuition fee: $9,037.25 – $17,504
12. College of the North Atlantic
About the school: College of the North Atlantic is a public university located in Newfoundland that offers various bachelor’s degrees and programs. It was established as a community college but has since grown to become one of the most popular universities for international students looking to study in Canada.
CNA offers both undergraduate and graduate-level degrees, and there are three campuses available: the Prince Edward Island campus, the Nova Scotia campus, and the Newfoundland campus. The Prince Edward Island location also offers some courses online through its Distance Education program.Â
Students can choose to study at either campus or remotely via distance learning options depending on their preferences and needs.
Tuition fee: $7,590
13. Algonquin College
About the school:Â Algonquin College is a great place to start your career. It’s not just the largest college in Canada, it’s also one of the most diverse, with students coming from over 150 countries and speaking more than 110 languages.
Algonquin offers over 300 programs and dozens of certificate, diploma, and degree options in everything from business to nursing to arts and culture.
Tuition fee:Â $11,366.54
14. Université Sainte-Anne
About the school: Université Sainte-Anne is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It was founded in 1967 and is named after St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary.
The university offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs across different disciplines including business administration, education, health science, humanities, social sciences, and communications.
Tuition fee: $5,654Â
15. Booth University College
About the school: Booth University College is a private college in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was founded in 1967 and has been offering quality education ever since. The school’s small campus covers 3.5 acres of land.Â
It is a non-denominational Christian institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees to students from all over the world. Booth University College also provides services to help international students fit into Canadian society comfortably, including employment services for graduates looking for work after completing their studies at the college or university level.
Tuition fee: $13,590
16. Holland College
About the school: Holland College is a public post-secondary education institution in British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in 1915 and has three campuses in Greater Victoria. Its main campus is on the Saanich Peninsula and it has two satellite campuses.
Holland College offers degrees at the certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as apprenticeships to help people get jobs in skilled trades.
Tuition fee: $5,000 – $9,485
17. Humber College
About the school: Humber College is one of Canada’s most respected post-secondary institutions. With campuses in Toronto, Ontario, and Brampton, Ontario, Humber offers more than 300 programs in applied arts and sciences, business, community services, and technology.Â
Humber also offers a number of English as a second language programs as well as certificate and diploma courses in English language training.
Tuition fee: $11,036.08 – $26,847
18. Canadore College
About the school: With over 6,000 students and a student body that’s the second largest in Ontario’s college system, Canadore College is one of the most popular schools out there. It was founded in 1967, making it a relatively new institution when compared to other colleges on this list.Â
However, its history isn’t too boring either: Canadore is known for innovation and is one of the first institutions in Canada to offer applied degrees (business and computer science).
In fact, you can get your bachelor’s degree at Canadore for just over $10k. In addition to its bachelor programs, the college offers associate degrees in music technology and video game development as well as certificates in accounting finance and risk management.
Tuition fee: $12,650 – $16,300
19. MacEwan University
About the school: MacEwan University is a public university located in Edmonton, Alberta. It was founded as Grant MacEwan Community College back in 1966 and gained university status in 2004.
The school’s name was changed from Grant MacEwan Community College to Grant MacEwan University when it became a fully-fledged degree-granting institution with four campuses across Alberta.
MacEwan University offers degree courses in various professional disciplines like accounting, art, science, media and communications, music, nursing, social work, tourism, etc.
Tuition fee: $340 per credit.
20. Athabasca University
About the school: Athabasca University is a public university located in Alberta, Canada. It provides online courses as well. Athabasca University offers many degrees such as Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Tuition fee: $12,748 (24-hour credit programs).
Are There Tuition-Free Universities in Canada?
There are no tuition-free universities in Canada. However, there are schools in Canada that have really low costs for most of their courses. Many of these schools have been covered in this article.
FAQs
Can I study in Canada with a foreign degree?
Yes, you can study in Canada with a foreign degree. However, you will need to prove that your degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree. You can do this by completing one of the following: 1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited university 2. An undergraduate diploma from an accredited college or university 3. An associate's degree from an accredited college or university
How do I apply to the University of the People?
To apply to the University of the People, you'll need to fill out our application form and create an account on our online portal. You can apply here: https://go.uopeople.edu/admission-application.html They accept applications for each semester at different times throughout the year, so be sure to check back often.
What are the requirements to study at Brandon University?
At Brandon University, the requirements to study are very simple. You must be a Canadian citizen and you must have completed high school. The university does not require any standardized tests or prerequisites to apply for admission. The application process is also very straightforward. First, you will need to complete an online application. Then, you will be required to submit transcripts from your secondary education and two letters of reference as part of your application package. After this, you can expect interviews with faculty members at the university, who will determine whether or not you are accepted into the program.
How do I apply to Université de Saint-Boniface?
If you're interested in applying to Université de Saint-Boniface, the first step is to determine if you meet the minimum requirements. If you do meet the requirements, then you can apply by clicking on the application form on their website.
Are there low-tuition fee universities in Canada for international students?
In general, Canadian schools are not that expensive for local students. But that is not the same for international students. In top schools like UToronto or McGill, international students can expect to pay over $40,000 in tuition fees. However, there are still schools in Canada where international only need to pay a little over $10,000. You can find these schools in this article.
Recommended Reads
- 30 Cheap Universities in Texas
- 10 Cheapest Universities in Denmark for International Students
- 15 Cheapest Universities in Lithuania You Would Love
- 10 Cheapest Universities in Denmark You Would Love
- 25 Cheapest Universities in the UK for International Students.
Wrapping It Up
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article as much as we did writing it. If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that there are plenty of great options for international students looking to study in Canada. Whether you want access to a university with a unique focus on digital innovation or a school that offers courses taught in English and French, we think you can find what you need here.