Canada is an excellent place to pursue a higher education, with world class institutions, highly skilled faculty, and affordable tuitions. When you compare schools, one of the factors you look at will inevitably be the price. In the following article we will review the cost of universities in Canada. This list looks at schools, large and small, public and private, in six of Canada’s biggest cities, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

Through this survey of Canadian universities, you can see that the cost of education here can vary, but that it’s generally quite reasonable, especially relative to similar schools in the USA next door. You can also compare the cost of schooling across Canada, as well as the price of fees and tuition for Canadians vs. foreign students.

Keep in mind, these educational costs to do not include the incidentals such as books and school supplies. Nor does it factor in expenses like room and board. Before enrolling and moving to Canada to study, one should know that the cost of living varies greatly between different cities. (See our detailed articles on the Cost of living in Toronto vs. Montreal and Cost of living in Vancouver vs. Calgary.)

Cost of University and Higher Education in Canada

As in other countries, Canada has a great number of public universities, funded in large part by the government. You will also find a wide variety of private universities, usually smaller, degree-granting institutions, funded primarily by student tuition and private donors. There are also a handful of publicly-funded private universities that receive money through the government as well as student tuition and private donors.

Universities and tuition in Calgary

University of Calgary

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,300 / Foreign: $18,300

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $1,600-7,100/ Foreign: $3,600-16,200

Established in 1966, this public research university has an enrollment of about 26,000 undergraduates and 6,000 post-graduates. The school is especially strong in the areas of geology and engineering, with close ties to the local petroleum industry. Notable alumni include James Gosling, who invented the Java computer language, Garrett Camp, who co-founded Uber, and Lululemon founder, Chip Wilson.

Ambrose University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $1,100 / Foreign: $1,700

A private liberal arts university, Ambrose offers undergraduate education and graduate level education for pastoral ministry, as well as undergraduate level education in select liberal arts and science degrees.

Mount Royal University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $4,900 / Foreign: $18,900

A public university founded in 1910, Mount Royal currently offers 12 degrees and 32 majors with an average class size of 29 students. The school excels in business and technology, as well communications and liberal arts.

Alberta University of the Arts

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,900 / Foreign: $16,300

A publicly funded art and design university, formerly known as Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD) and as the Alberta College of Art.

Universities and tuition in Edmonton

University of Alberta

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,300 / Foreign: $21,600

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $3,700/ Foreign: $12,400

The province’s largest university, U of A has a broad spectrum of programs and is considered a “Comprehensive academic and research university” (CARU). The student body consists of about 30,000 undergraduates and 7,000 post-graduates. Business, engineering and pharmaceuticals are some of the largest departments of academics and research. The school contributes roughly $12.3 billion a year to the province’s gross domestic product, or about 5 percent.

MacEwan University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $4,600 / Foreign: $18,200

This public undergraduate university offers ten baccalaureate degrees and dozens of diplomas and certificates, with a total enrollment of about 19,000 students. The school is comprised of four faculties and two schools: Faculty of Arts and Science, School of Business, School of Continuing Education, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, Faculty of Nursing.

The King’s University 

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $12,700 / Foreign: $15,700

The King’s University of Edmonton is a private Canadian Christian university offering bachelor’s degrees in the arts, humanities, music, social sciences, natural sciences and business, and education. The small school has a wide variety of programs but only about 900 students.

Concordia University of Edmonton

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $7,100 / Foreign: $12,600

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $10,800/ Foreign: $16,300-24,500

A small, publicly-funded private school, Concordia was long affiliated with the Lutheran Church, but secularized in 2016. The university has a couple thousand undergraduates and a few hundred post-graduate students. Arts and education are among the stronger academic departments at Concordia.

Universities and tuition in Montreal

McGill University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $16,800

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $15,000-16,800

One of Canada’s oldest universities, established in 1821, McGill’s main campus is located in downtown Montreal. This public research university now has two campuses on the island of Montreal, serving more than 40,000 students with English as the primary language. McGill offers degrees and diplomas in more than 300 subjects, including advanced degrees in law and medicine. With some of the highest standards of any Canadian university, the school is ranked 33 in the world and number 2 in Canada. McGill medical school is consistently ranked the best in the country. Full time students from Quebec pay about $4,300 a year to attend McGill. Canadian students from other provinces pay about $9,500 a year, and international students pay between $22,000 and $42,000 in annual tuition fees.

Concordia University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $16,800-18,700

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $1,800-5,700 / Foreign: $11,300-12,600

One of only two universities in Montreal (and three in Quebec) where English is the primary language of instruction, Concordia has two campuses within the city, and more than 45,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The young, public university, established in 1974, offers degrees in over 300 undergraduate and more than 100 graduate areas of study. Concordia enjoys a very high ranking among universities, especially for the John Molson School of Business.

University of Montreal

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $16,800

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $15,000-16,800

Ranked number three among Canadian institutes of higher education, this French-speaking public and secular university is located on the north-facing slope of Mount Royal in Montreal. The school offers more than 650 undergraduate diplomas and degrees, and PhDs in over 70 areas of study. Université de Montréal has about 45,000 graduate and undergraduate students from around Canada in the world. The medical school has an especially high reputation.

University of Quebec

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $16,800

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $15,000-16,800

Based in Quebec City, with 10 independent universities across Canada, the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) is the largest school in this trans-Canadian network. With a student population of about 43,000, the University of Quebec provides instruction in French, offering graduate and undergraduate degrees in arts, education, communication, political science and law, science, social science and management. In 2005, UQAM annexed the Télé-université, a public, French-speaking distance learning school, bringing the total number of student to more than 60,000, making UQAM the largest French speaking university in the world.

University of Sherbrooke

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $16,800

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $15,000-16,800

Established in 1954 as a French-speaking, Roman Catholic, public university, the University of Sherbrooke now has five campuses serving roughly 40,000 students in and around Quebec, but primarily in the Montreal suburbs of Sherbrooke and Longueuil. The school has an excellent reputation and offers 46 undergraduate, 48 master’s and 27 doctoral programs.

University of Laval

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $16,800

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $2,400-7,600 / Foreign: $15,000-16,800

The oldest university in Canada, and the oldest French language university in all of North America, the University of Laval has been serving students in Quebec City since 1663, when it began as a seminary school under the aegis of Francois de Laval, the first bishop of New France. The Montreal campus opened in 1878, and in 1920 it separated from Laval and became the University of Montreal (Université de Montréal).

Universities and tuition in Ottawa

The University of Ottawa

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,700 / Foreign: $31,400

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $7,000-8,600 / Foreign: $16,300-22,700

The University of Ottawa holds the distinction of being the largest bilingual French and English university in the world! The campus is located in the safe and central Sandy Hill neighborhood, adjacent to the Rideau Canal. Students can study in French, English or both languages. The university offers more than 400 unique programs of study, in more than 100 disciplines and there are options to study in the classroom, online or both. The University of Ottawa offers modern facilities and technology, as well as a world-class library and museum,  study abroad options, and campus housing. This large university is consistently ranked as one of the world’s best. To learn more, check out our specific blog on University of Ottawa.

Carleton University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,700-7,100 / Foreign: $24,700

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,500-5,800 / Foreign: $13,000-14,400

A favorite of the Ottawa Universities, Carleton University is smaller than The University of Ottawa, but it still has lots to offer! Here, you can choose from 65 academic programs across a wide range of disciplines. The university gains particular notice for its strength in the engineering, industrial design, humanities, international business and Faculty of Public Affairs. Student life is rich and includes unions, athletics, clubs, fraternities and sororities and arts and media outlets. Studies at Carleton University are conducted in English.

Saint Paul University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,200 / Foreign: $13,200

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,600 / Foreign: $12,700-13,400

Saint Paul University is a bilingual Christian University located on Main Street in Ottawa. Its four faculties include Human Sciences, Philosophy, Theology and Canada Law, and programs in 19 disciplines range from the bachelors to doctoral level. This university has a reputation for small class sizes, personalized service, and a diverse and international student population. In addition to academics, students enjoy support and guidance, symposiums, conferences, workshops,  a student residence, and a wonderful library.

Universities and tuition in Toronto

University of Toronto

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,700-7,000 / Foreign: $42,000-49,000

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,900 / Foreign: $6,900-22,600

Founded in 1827 as King’s College, the University of Toronto is Canada’s oldest and largest institute of higher learning. The university is comprised of 11 colleges with a wide variety of specializations, and stands at the forefront of many fields of research, including insulin, stem cells, and literary theory. In 2019, US News and World Report ranked University of Toronto the best school in Canada, and #20 on the list of best global universities.

York University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,700 / Foreign: $24,900-26,000

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $3,100 / Foreign: $12,000

The third largest university in Canada, York has a student body of more than 50,000. With 11 collegiate departments, the university offers degrees in law, business, engineering, environmental science, cinema, and more. The university held its first classes in 1960, and now has several campuses throughout the city.

Ryerson University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,700 / Foreign: $24,400

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $10,200/ Foreign: $20,500

With an emphasis on business and engineering, Ryerson’s campus is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, around one of the city’s busiest intersections. The “DMZ” (Digital Media Zone) at Ryerson is ranked the number one university-based business incubator program in North America.

University of Guelph-Humber

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,500-6,700 / Foreign: $9,700-22,000

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,100-5,500 / Foreign: $5,600-13,900

Established in 2002, Guelph-Humber is a collaboration between two other Ontario-based schools. Today they offer four-year degrees in seven different concentrations, as well as a Master of Fine Arts program.

OCAD University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $6,500-6,700 / Foreign: $22,300

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $21,000 / Foreign: $28,500

Formerly the Ontario College of Art and Design, established in 1876, OCAD achieved university status in 2002, and continues to be Canada’s oldest degree-granting institute for art and design.

Tyndale University College and Seminary

University college fees & tuition: $1,593 per 3 hour course, per semester

Seminary fees & tuition, Canadian: $1,350 per 3 hour course, per semester

Originally founded in 1894 as a small Bible training school, Tyndale now offers Bachelor’s degrees in humanities, social sciences and business, and also advanced degrees in religion, theology and divinity, primarily in the Protestant Evangelical tradition.

Universities and prices in Vancouver

University of British Columbia

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,200 / Foreign: $25,900-36,500

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $4,900 / Foreign: $8,600

Internationally recognized as a top-tier university, U of BC usually ranks second or third in Canada, alongside the University of Toronto and McGill University in Montreal. It is generally considered one of the top 20 public universities in the world. More than 60,000 students now attend the school, which was established in 1908. The school excels in all areas of academics, including the arts and sciences, business, and sustainable architecture.

Simon Fraser University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,600 / Foreign: $23,800-25,200

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $3,700 / Foreign: $3,700

Established in 1965, Simon Fraser was quick to become a top ranked institution in Canada with more than 100,000 alumni. The university is strong in business, communication, arts and environmental science. The school has three campuses in and around Vancouver with a total enrollment of more than 30,000 students.

Capilano University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,000-12,000 / Foreign: $19,100-25,600

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $19,900-25,700 / Foreign: $26,800-32,600

Based in North Vancouver, this smaller school graduated from college to university in 2008. Today it has about 8,500 enrolled students. Special academic programs include global stewardship and British Columbian studies. The main campus is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $4,100 / Foreign: $16,400

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $14,200 / Foreign: $14,200

British Columbia’s first university to specialize in the visual and performing arts, Emily Carr opened in 1925. But it did not adopt its current name until 1978.  Today the small, public school has fewer than 2,000 students.

University of the Fraser Valley

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $4,300 / Foreign: $17,100

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $17,100 / Foreign: $12,500-17,100

Fraser Valley opened in 1974 as a small vocational college. In 1988 it became a degree-granting university, and today the school has about 15,000 enrolled students. Liberal arts and applied technical studies make up the largest departments.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $4,200 / Foreign: $18,400-19,700

This polytechnic university offers undergraduate and vocational education, providing bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and citations in a great range of programs. KPU focuses on technical subjects and vocational training in areas like engineering, accountancy, business administration, nursing, medicine, architecture, and criminology. The university has five campuses throughout British Columbia and about 20,000 students.

New York Institute of Technology

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $32,o00-50,000 / Foreign: $12

This private, research-based university, based in Manhattan, has a campus in downtown Vancouver, in the heart of the financial district. Many of the academic programs operate in conjunction with local financial and commercial institutions.

Trinity Western University

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $22,200 / Foreign: $22,000

Graduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $20,100-42,800 / Foreign: $20,100-42,800

Founded in 1962, this private, Christian university emphasizes the liberal arts. The small school has only about 4,000 students, and may be the most expensive university in all of Canada.

University Canada West

Undergraduate fees & tuition, Canadian: $5,500-8,300 / Foreign: $13,900-20,800

MBA fees & tuition, Canadian: $9,300-14,000 / Foreign: $14,000-21,000

This private, for-profit university opened in 2005. UCW offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration.

Conclusion

For a small country, Canada has some of the most reputable and reasonably priced universities in the world. As you can see, the cost of higher education for Canadians is very reasonable. International students will usually pay significantly higher tuition and fees, but for many foreigners, the opportunity to study in Canada is well worth the price.

Further reading

To learn more about schools and education in Canada, take a look at some of these in-depth articles.

PHOTO CREDIT: The University of BC Vancouver School of Economics building (Wikipedia)