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Canada Tuition Fees and Cost of Studying
7 min read
Tuition fees in Canada for international students averaged CAD 42,062 a year for undergraduate degrees and CAD 24,693 for graduate degrees in 2026/2027, according to Statistics Canada. Your total first-year cost will be higher.
On top of tuition, you’ll need to budget for application fees, deposits, study permit costs, and health insurance, and show at least CAD 23,448 for living expenses when you apply for your study permit.
What you’ll actually pay depends on your province, institution, study level, and subject, so two students on similar-sounding courses can face very different bills.
How Much Are Tuition Fees in Canada for International Students?
Canadian tuition fees are set by each institution, and international fees aren’t capped by provincial governments in the way domestic fees often are. As a guide, here’s what international students typically pay per year:
| Study Level | Typical Annual Tuition (CAD) | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| College certificate or diploma | Around 15,000 to 25,000 | Lower fees, but PGWP eligibility depends on field of study |
| Bachelor’s degree | 42,062 (national average) | Leading universities and professional programmes charge well above this |
| Master’s degree | 24,693 (national average) | Course-based master’s usually cost more than research master’s |
| MBA | Varies widely | Top-ranked business schools sit far above the graduate average |
Averages are for the 2026/2027 academic year, according to Statistics Canada. International fees rose by around 4% on average this year, and many universities increase fees annually, so budget for rises in later years of your course.
Tuition Fees by Province
Where you study makes a big difference. Ontario has the highest average international fees, while the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba are among the most affordable.
| Province | Undergraduate Average (CAD) | Graduate Average (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 50,088 | 28,900 |
| British Columbia | 40,314 | 27,612 |
| Quebec | 36,879 | 24,694 |
| Alberta | 36,369 | 18,302 |
| Nova Scotia | 31,057 | 26,230 |
| Manitoba | 23,160 | 14,030 |
| New Brunswick | 20,029 | 16,691 |
Figures are Statistics Canada averages for 2026/2027.
Tuition Fees by Subject
Subject matters as much as province. Engineering, business, computer science, and professional programmes such as medicine, dentistry, and law typically cost well above the average, while arts, humanities, and education usually cost less. Because fees vary so much between faculties at the same university, a counsellor can give you a realistic fee range for the courses on your shortlist.
What Other Costs Do International Students Pay to Study in Canada?
Tuition is the highest cost, but several one-off payments come before you even arrive. These are the costs students most often leave out of their budget:
- Application fees: Charged by each university or college, and they vary by institution and application system.
- Tuition deposit: Many institutions ask for a deposit or first-term payment to confirm your place, often before your study permit is decided.
- Study permit fee: CAD 150, paid to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Biometrics fee: CAD 85 per person, if required.
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): Required for students in Quebec, with a separate processing fee of around CAD 128.
- English or French test: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or a French test, with costs that vary by country.
- Medical exam: Needed by some applicants depending on nationality, with costs that vary by country.
- Health insurance: Most students are covered by a university or provincial plan, often added to your fees.
- Flights and arrival costs: Including temporary accommodation while you settle in.
Our guide to applying to a Canadian university explains when each of these payments falls in the application timeline.
How Much Money Do You Need to Show for a Canada Study Permit?
When you apply for a study permit, you must show you can pay your first year of tuition plus travel costs, and have enough for living expenses. For applications submitted on or after 1st September 2026, the living-expense minimum outside Quebec is CAD 23,448 for a single applicant, with higher amounts for accompanying family members.
Students in Quebec must meet Quebec’s own financial requirements as part of the CAQ process. IRCC officers also look closely at where your funds come from, not just the balance, so how and when you prepare your financial documents matters. Find out more about Canada study permit requirements.
Expert View
“Students often plan around tuition and the proof of funds minimum, then get caught out by the deposit due before their visa decision. Build those upfront payments into your first-year total from the start, and make sure the source of every fund is documented.” – Rajashree Devi, Counsellor, StudyIn.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Canada as a Student?
The CAD 23,448 proof of funds figure is a legal minimum, not a comfortable budget. Rent is the biggest variable, and living in Toronto or Vancouver costs considerably more than living in cities like Halifax, Winnipeg, or Saskatoon. For a full breakdown of rent, food, transport, and city-by-city budgets, see the cost of living in Canada for international students.
How Can You Reduce the Cost of Studying in Canada?
- Scholarships: Many universities offer entrance scholarships and awards for international students, some applied automatically and others by separate application. Explore scholarships in Canada.
- Province and institution choice: Studying outside Ontario and British Columbia, or at a less expensive university with a strong subject reputation, can lower tuition significantly.
- Part-time work: Eligible students can usually work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, though earnings can’t count towards your proof of funds.
- Co-op programmes: Paid work placements built into many courses help offset costs while you study.
Build Your Canada Cost Plan With StudyIn
A realistic budget depends on your course, province, scholarships, and how you’ll evidence your funds, and getting it wrong can delay your study permit. StudyIn (formerly SI-UK) has over 20 years of experience supporting international students across multiple destinations.
Our counsellors help you compare fees across your shortlist, find scholarships you’re eligible for, and prepare your financial evidence, alongside your applications, study permit, and pre-departure planning.
Our service is free throughout the process. Book a free counselling session to work out what studying in Canada will cost you.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Study in Canada Per Year?
At average 2026/2027 tuition plus the minimum living-expense amount, international students should expect roughly CAD 48,000 a year at graduate level and CAD 66,000 at undergraduate level, before one-off costs such as deposits, fees, and flights.
Is It Cheaper to Study at a College or University in Canada?
College certificates and diplomas usually have lower tuition than university degrees. However, college graduates need to study in an eligible field to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, so compare both cost and outcomes.
Which Province Has the Cheapest Tuition for International Students?
Provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Manitoba have some of the lowest average international tuition fees. Ontario has the highest.
Does Proof of Funds Include Tuition Fees?
No. The CAD 23,448 minimum covers living expenses only. You must also show you can pay your first year of tuition and travel costs.
Can I Work in Canada to Pay My Tuition Fees?
Eligible students can usually work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term and full time in scheduled breaks. Part-time earnings help with living costs, but they can’t be used as proof of funds.
Is StudyIn’s Service Free?
Yes. StudyIn’s core service is free throughout the process, including course shortlisting, applications, scholarship guidance, and study permit support.