Costs and jobs

Affordable Study in Canada for International Students 2026

5 min read · Checked against official sources in October 2026

Why tuition differs so much

Canada has no single price. Tuition changes with the province, the level, the programme and the type of school. Statistics Canada reports 2026/27 average international tuition of CAD 42,062 for undergraduate degrees and CAD 24,693 for graduate programmes. These averages cover university degree programmes, not college diplomas.

By province, the undergraduate average was about CAD 18,911 in Newfoundland and Labrador, CAD 20,029 in New Brunswick, CAD 23,160 in Manitoba, CAD 40,314 in British Columbia and CAD 50,088 in Ontario. An average hides programme differences. Manitoba's own page shows engineering above arts, for example.

Fees also rise. Statistics Canada's national average for international undergraduates moved from CAD 40,431 in 2025/26 to CAD 42,062 in 2026/27, so use the current year's page, not an old brochure.

College or university?

Colleges mostly offer certificates and diplomas. Universities offer degrees. Price does not follow a simple rule. The New Brunswick college below lists a lower tuition than the universities, but a college in another province can charge more. Compare the exact programme page, and also compare what the programme leads to.

Length matters too. A four-year degree repeats the yearly cost. Cape Breton University, for example, shows CAD 95,177.60 in total for a four-year undergraduate degree in 2026-27, including its medical plan. Always look at the whole programme, not only year one.

Six schools and their published fees

These figures come from each school's own page, read in October 2026. They are for an arts or general undergraduate route unless stated, and they exclude rent and food. Fees change, so confirm each page before you decide. None of these is a recommendation. They show how different published prices can be inside one country.

• Memorial University (Newfoundland and Labrador): CAD 22,500 tuition for 10 courses, for new international students from fall 2026. Health insurance of CAD 548 and other fees are extra.
• University of Manitoba (Winnipeg): about CAD 24,000 for Arts, tuition and fees together, including a transit pass and health insurance. The page calls it an estimate and does not state the year.
• University of New Brunswick, Fredericton: Arts tuition of CAD 20,903 for 2026-27. With mandatory fees, health cover and a bus pass the page totals CAD 22,754.
• University of Prince Edward Island: CAD 813 per three-credit course plus an international fee of CAD 9,718 a year. For 10 courses that is about CAD 17,848 before other compulsory fees and insurance. The ten-course load is our assumption.
• Cape Breton University (Nova Scotia): CAD 23,794.40 for year one of an undergraduate degree in 2026-27, including the international medical plan, excluding housing.
• NBCC, a New Brunswick college: CAD 10,260 tuition for 2026-27, plus CAD 865 insurance, CAD 332 technology fee and CAD 130 student union fees.

Ways to lower the cost

Small savings add up over several years. Ask each school what is included in the fee and whether you must buy its health plan.

• Look beyond the biggest cities. The province averages above show a wide gap.
• Read the scholarship page. Memorial considers international applicants for entrance scholarships automatically. Awards are first year only, are not guaranteed, and the page states no amount.
• Read the fine print on bursaries. Cape Breton University has a bursary for the international fee, but only for students who finished high school in Nova Scotia.
• Compare totals, not headlines. Insurance, bus passes and student fees change the real figure.
• Remember that a scholarship covering only tuition does not replace proof of funds for living and travel.

Compare two offers side by side

When two offers arrive, put them in one table. Then add the IRCC living-cost amount to each. The offer with the lower first-year bill may not be lower across the whole programme.

• Tuition for the first year, from the school page
• Mandatory fees and insurance
• Number of years in the programme
• Payment dates and what is refundable

Cheapest is not always best

A low fee can come with a small city, fewer part-time jobs, fewer programme choices or weaker support. Check that the school is a designated learning institution, that the programme suits your goals, and what IRCC says about work after study for that programme.

Also remember the provincial attestation letter. For most students it requires you to accept the offer and pay some or all tuition first. Pick a school you would still be happy to attend.

Ask each school three questions: what is the total first-year bill, when is each payment due, and what can be refunded. NBCC, for example, lists a non-refundable confirmation deposit of CAD 1,500 and then a second payment of CAD 4,750.

Work and living costs

IRCC says eligible students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks, if the study permit allows it. The page is dated 15 April 2026. Plan as if you will earn nothing in your first year.

For a study permit outside Quebec, IRCC asks for CAD 23,448 for one person for living costs from 1 September 2026, on top of tuition and travel. Real rent depends on the city, so check each school's housing page. Ask each school for its own living-cost estimate and compare it with the IRCC amount. If the school's estimate is higher, plan for the higher number. A regional school may have lower rent, but also check transport and part-time job options before you choose.

IGC counsellors compare two or three schools with you using the full first-year cost, your family budget and your subject plan. Only the school and IRCC decide admission and the permit.

Frequently asked questions

Which Canadian province has the lowest tuition?

In Statistics Canada's 2026/27 averages for international undergraduates, Newfoundland and Labrador was lowest at about CAD 18,911. But an average hides programme differences, so compare the exact programme page of each school.

Are colleges cheaper than universities in Canada?

Not always. The New Brunswick college here lists lower tuition than the universities, but fees vary by province and programme. Compare the full first-year cost and what each qualification leads to.

Can I trust the fees listed here?

They were read from each school's own page in October 2026. Some pages do not state a year, and schools change fees each year. Check the school's page and your offer letter before you pay.

Does a cheaper school make my study permit easier?

No. IRCC decides each application on its own facts, including proof of funds and your plan. A school that fits your plan and budget is a safer choice than a school picked only for price.

Want help comparing real first-year costs for two or three schools? Book a free profile assessment with IGC and we will go through them with you.