How much does it cost to study in Canada? The overall answer to this question is that it is rather affordable. Tuition fees in Canada are much lower compared to the US, UK, and Australia. In average:
- Tuition fees in Canada are CA$13,000 to CA$20,000 per year,
- Booklets and study materials cost around CA$150 to CA$400 per year, and
- Insurance coverage is about CA$500 to CA$1,000 per year.
*All the costs are measured in Canadian Dollars*
The overall cost of studying in Canada
In order to better convey the cost of studying in Canada, we have used data gathered by Canada’s National Statistical Agency (Statistics Canada) to create two data tables. In these tables, we have provided information about the average tuition fees of colleges and universities in Canada as well as in each province.
Average tuition fees of colleges and universities of Canada for international students in the academic year 2021-2022
| Canada | Grade | Tuition Fees per Year |
| Average tuition fees in Canada | Undergraduate | $33,623 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $20,120 |
Average tuition fees of colleges and universities of each province for international students in the academic year 2021-2022
| Province | Grade | Tuition Fees per Year |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Undergraduate | $12,037 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $4,082 | |
| Prince Edward Island | Undergraduate | $20,417 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $10,546 | |
| Nova Scotia | Undergraduate | $20,397 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $23,048 | |
| New Brunswick | Undergraduate | $16,458 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $13,123 | |
| Quebec | Undergraduate | $27,406 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $18,577 | |
| Ontario | Undergraduate | $42,185 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $26,236 | |
| Manitoba | Undergraduate | $17,786 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $11,887 | |
| Saskatchewan | Undergraduate | $22,197 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $7,583 | |
| Alberta | Undergraduate | $28,014 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $15,167 | |
| British Colombia | Undergraduate | $30,903 |
| Graduate and Ph.D. | $20,295 |
Smart table of graduate and undergraduate tuition fees in Canada
In the following table, by selecting your preferred level of study on the left, you can acquire relevant data about the average tuition fee in general and divided by different fields of study.
Cost of studying in Canadian schools
International students must pay tuition fees in order to enroll in a Canadian school and the amount depends on the province in which the school is located. In larger provinces, tuition fees for Canadian schools are higher and so are the incomes.
Regular schools tuition fees
Canadian high schools and elementary schools are free for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. If you are in Canada on a temporary visa (i.e., study permit or work permit) your child can study in Canadian schools for free – except in exceptional situations.
- Average tuition fees for Canadian elementary schools: 8,000 to 16,000 per year
- Average tuition fees for Canadian high schools: 12,000 to 16,000 per year
Average tuition fees of Canadian schools in each province
| Province | Capital or major city | Average tuition fees per year |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John’s | $13,750 |
| Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown | $10,600 |
| New Brunswick | Moncton | $13,950 |
| Quebec | Montreal | $12,500 |
| Ontario | Toronto | $16,000 |
| Manitoba | Winnipeg | $11,500 |
| Saskatchewan | Regina | $12,900 |
| Alberta | Edmonton | $12,500 |
| British Columbia | Vancouver | $15,250 |
Boarding schools tuition fees
Tuition fees for Canadian boarding schools include both education costs and campus costs. Campus fees include meals, uniforms, and the use of available amenities. Tuition fees for Canadian boarding schools average from 30,000 to 80,000 per year.
Language courses tuition fees in Canada
Students who have not met the language proficiency requirements of their program, need to enroll in an English or French course in order to improve their proficiency in English or French. These courses last for a few weeks and academically prepare the students for their program. The costs of these language courses are different for each institute. Some universities and colleges have specific courses themselves and their costs are included in the program tuition fees. In some major cities, the costs of language courses are as follows:
- Toronto: A 12-week English course is around $3,500
- City of Quebec: A 12-week French course is around $3,750
- Vancouver: A 12-week English course is around $4,000
- Calgary: A 12-week French course is around $3,400
Tuition fees for Canadian college programs
Since colleges in Canada offer a variety of programs that are both practical and academic, their tuition fees are very wide-range and an average may not do justice in providing a correct insight about their tuition fees.
Tuition fees for Canadian colleges also differ depending on the province and even the city they are in. A college in North Bay, ON for example has a much lower tuition fee compared to a college in Toronto, ON.
As we mentioned, providing an average for Canadian colleges’ tuition fees may not be very accurate in conveying the required info. However, for those who need a number from us regarding this matter, we would say that the average tuition fee for a college program in Canada is somewhere around $12,000.
Tuition fees for graduate university programs in Canada
In some countries, it is common knowledge that Master’s degrees cost more than Bachelor’s degrees. In Canada, however, this is not the case and the situation is the other way around. Graduate programs in Canada cost less than undergraduate programs. Tuition fees for graduate university programs in Canada average around $17,000 per year.
MBA programs in Canada are among the most expensive programs. Although, some universities offer this program for under $20,000 per year.
You may be able to receive funds or scholarships for a graduate program, making studying in Canada even more affordable than it is.
International tuition fees for graduate programs of Canadian universities in the academic year 2021-2022
| Major | Tuition Fees (CA$) |
| Average for all majors | $20,120 |
| Education | $17,583 |
| Art / IT | $16,148 |
| Liberal arts | $14,744 |
| Social and behavioral sciences and legal studies | $16,582 |
| Law | $18,852 |
| Business management | $27,296 |
| Executive MBA | $63,667 |
| MBA | $41,244 |
| Biology | $16,615 |
| Math / Computer science | $19,088 |
| Engineering | $22,480 |
| Architecture | $26,061 |
| Agriculture | $15,499 |
| Dentistry | $26,193 |
| Nursing | $16,774 |
| Pharmaceutical | $14,139 |
| veterinary | $9,705 |
| Optometry | $14,868 |
| Health Sciences | $20,640 |
| Personal Service / Transportation | $12,550 |
Tuition fees for Ph.D. programs in Canada
Tuition fees for Ph.D. programs in Canada vary a lot depending on multiple factors. In one university you might need to pay $2,000 yearly for your program, while in another you must pay $10,000 per semester. In the following table, the cost of studying for a Ph.D. at the University of McGill will be assessed.
| Tuition Fee Details | Fall Semester Fees | Winter Semester Fees |
| Tuition Fees | $8,375 | $8,375 |
| Student Association Fees | $181.39 | $97.66 |
| Student Services and amenities | $322.09 | $322.09 |
| Administration Fees | $213 | $159.45 |
| Copyright Fees | $15.45 | $15.45 |
| IT Fees | $132.30 | $132.30 |
| Dental Insurance Plan Fees | $200 | – |
| Medical Insurance Plan Fees for international students | $1,047 | – |
| Total Expenses | $10,486 | $9,102 |
Scholarships and funds for Ph.D. programs in Canada
As you can see in the above table, the cost of studying for a Ph.D. at the University of McGill is around $20,000. Although, Ph.D. students receive a yearly fund of $30,000 along with other compensations for their research. This enables Ph.D. candidates at the University of McGill to study for their Ph.D. degrees free of charge and receive a net amount of $10,000 per year which can help with their living expenses.
There are multiple scholarships and funding programs available for Ph.D. candidates in Canada. These programs may be government-funded, university-funded, or made available by private organizations. Here is a list of well-known Ph.D. scholarship programs in Canada:
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
- University of Waterloo International Masters and Doctoral Awards
- The Ontario Graduate Scholarship
- Ontario Trillium Scholarship
- University of Calgary Graduate Scholarship Office
- The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
- Alberta Innovates scholarship at the University of Calgary
- Graduate Award Competition at the University of Calgary
- The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
- The Graduate Global Leadership Fellowships
- Banting Post-Doctoral Fellowships
- Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
- NSERC Post Graduate Scholarships
- Carleton University Awards for International Students
- McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid
- Simon Fraser University Financial Aid and Awards
- Dalhousie University Scholarship
- Queen’s University International Scholarships
Cheapest universities in Canada
| University | Yearly Tuition (CA$) |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | $2,150 – $11,460 |
| University of Regina | $1,715 – $20,050 |
| Royal Roads University | $3,750 – $27,600 |
| University of Saskatchewan | $4,110 – $24,000 |
| Athabasca University | $1,625 – $17,250 |
Can an international student be eligible for domestic tuition rates?
The short answer is yes. International students may be eligible for domestic tuition rates, meaning they can pay a much cheaper tuition fee for their studies. There are certain conditions that need to be met before the domestic tuition rates are applied to foreign students. An international can be considered for Canadian tuition rates if he or she has one of the following status in Canada:
- Canadian Citizens and permanent residents
- Protected people and their families (Refugees)
- Eligible international students
- Accompanying family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Work permit holders and their accompanying family members (Exceptions: graduate teaching assistant, co-op, medical residency employment, post-graduate work permit, off-campus work permit holder)
- Visitor visa holders who are allowed to stay in Canada
- Ambassadors and legal representatives of other countries
Keep in mind that the eligibility criteria for domestic tuition rates vary for each university.
Cost of living in Canada for international students
The main point to keep in mind is that “small cities are cheap and larger cities are expensive”.
While the cost of living in large cities is expensive, they offer better career opportunities and have a much more diverse population. The cost of living in smaller cities in Canada is cheaper but the society is much more local and there are not as many employment opportunities. Overall, the decision is yours.
| Category | Cost in large cities (monthly) | Cost in small cities (monthly |
| Rent | $1,130 | $700 |
| Food | $320 | $240 |
| Transportation | $98 | $78 |
| Medical insurance | $40 | $40 |
| Entertainment | $80 | $70 |
| Books and study materials | $40 | $35 |
| TOTAL | $1,708 | $1,163 |
