Canada remains one of the world’s major destinations for international students. At the end of 2024, Canada had nearly one million international students across all levels of study. Although tuition varies widely by program, province, and degree level, students can still find Canadian universities with comparatively lower costs, especially outside the most expensive professional programs.
The tuition figures below are approximate 2025–2026 figures for international students and are meant for comparison. Always check the official fee page for your intended program because professional degrees, co-op programs, course loads, and annual fee updates can change the final cost.
Affordable Schools in Canada for International Students
1. Memorial University of Newfoundland
The Memorial University of Newfoundland, also known as Newfoundland and Labrador’s university, is one of the more affordable universities in Canada for international students, particularly at the graduate level. Founded in 1925 in memory of those who lost their lives in the First World War, Memorial is a major public university in Atlantic Canada.
MUN offers programs through faculties such as business administration, education, engineering and applied science, humanities and social sciences, medicine, nursing, and science, as well as schools and institutes in specialized fields. Because of its comparatively affordable tuition, this Canadian institution continues to attract students from around the world.
2. University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba, or U of M, is a public research institution with campuses in Fort Garry and Bannatyne. It opened in 1877 and is recognized as Western Canada’s first university. This Canadian higher education provider offers numerous programs through academic areas such as agriculture, environment, architecture, art, education, engineering, kinesiology, science, social work, business, music, and graduate studies.
Many factors affect total tuition and fees, including your program of study, the specific courses you take, your course load, and whether you are a domestic or international student.
3. Concordia University
Next on our list of cheap universities in Canada for international students is Concordia University. It is a comprehensive public educational institution in Montreal, Quebec. Although Montreal is a French-speaking city, Concordia primarily uses English as its language of instruction.
Formed through the merger of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University, Concordia is organized into faculties and schools in fine arts, arts and science, engineering and computer science, business, and graduate studies. As one of the top-rated higher institutions in Canada, Concordia University is also well known for the John Molson School of Business.
4. McGill University
Founded in 1821, McGill University is a public research institution named after founder James McGill. It has a main campus in downtown Montreal and the Macdonald Campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on Montreal Island. McGill offers a wide range of programs through academic areas such as agriculture, arts, dentistry, education, engineering, law, management, medicine, music, religious studies, science, and continuing education.
McGill is known for having a diverse student population. It remains an attractive destination for many international students, as this institution is recognized as one of the top public universities in Canada and is ranked among the top 50 universities in the world in current global rankings.
5. Toronto Metropolitan University
Located in downtown Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University is a public university that was established in 1948 as the Ryerson Institute of Technology. It became a university in 1993 and was renamed Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022. Its academic strengths include business, the arts, communication and design, community services, engineering and architectural science, science, and continuing education.
TMU reports thousands of international undergraduate students from more than 120 countries, so applicants should review the current cost of their chosen program before applying.
6. University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick, or UNB, is an affordable institution in Canada with campuses in Saint John and Fredericton. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest English-language university in Canada and one of the oldest universities in North America. It was established by loyalists who left the United States after the American Revolution.
UNB offers more than 100 programs across areas such as arts, business, computer science, engineering, forestry, kinesiology, law, leadership studies, nursing, and science.
7. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta, or U of A, is a public educational institution in Edmonton, Alberta. It first opened its doors in 1908 through the efforts of Premier Alexander Cameron Rutherford and university president Henry Marshall Tory. U of A has academic areas in agriculture, business, arts, education, engineering, graduate studies, law, medicine and dentistry, Native studies, nursing, pharmacy, kinesiology, rehabilitation medicine, public health, and science.
8. University of British Columbia
Founded in 1908, the University of British Columbia is one of the province’s oldest higher education institutions. With campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, it is the alma mater of many well-known Canadians, including former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Its Vancouver campus includes academic areas such as applied science, arts, dentistry, education, forestry, land and food systems, medicine, pharmacy, and science.
UBC has a large international student community and is globally recognized for research and teaching. Because tuition varies significantly by program, international students should check the official fee schedule before applying.
9. University of Ottawa
Also known as the U of O, the University of Ottawa is the largest English-French bilingual university in the world. This school in Canada is located in Ontario and was founded in 1848 as the College of Bytown. Its undergraduate and graduate programs cover areas such as arts, education, engineering, health sciences, law, medicine, science, social sciences, and management.
10. University of Toronto
Founded in 1827 as King’s College, the University of Toronto is one of Ontario’s oldest higher education institutions. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the highest-ranked Canadian university is McGill University, followed closely by the University of Toronto. U of T is divided into several faculties and academic divisions, including arts and science, applied science and engineering, architecture, music, information, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, kinesiology, public health, law, management, public policy, education, social work, and theology.
FAQs: Studying in Canada
What are the General Requirements to Study in Canada?
A high school diploma or equivalent is generally required for a bachelor’s or bachelor’s honors degree. Likewise, master’s degree applicants usually need a bachelor’s degree to be admitted. A transcript of records is also usually required, along with any program-specific documents, such as a portfolio, statement of purpose, resume, work experience, or GRE/GMAT results for selected graduate programs. Depending on the university and program, proof of English or French proficiency may also be required.
Why are Canadian Schools Popular Among International Students?
First, the strong reputations and global rankings of Canadian universities and colleges attract many international students. These institutions include the University of Toronto, McGill University, McMaster University, and the University of British Columbia. Many Canadian universities also offer scholarships, awards, and other funding opportunities for qualified international students.
Second, international students often wish to study in Canada because of its beautiful cities. The country is known for scenic views, diverse communities, and well-known destinations such as Vancouver, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
Third, Canadian universities and colleges offer bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs in many fields. Professional degrees, such as MBA and MD programs, can also be found in Canada, although their tuition is often higher than that of many non-professional programs.
Can International Students Study in Canada Without Paying the Tuition Fees?
There is no universal free-tuition policy for international students in Canada. However, studying without paying tuition out of pocket may be possible through fully funded scholarships, assistantships, sponsorships, tuition waivers, or other financial aid. We’ve compiled a guide on how international students can study in Canada for free. The article covers several funding options, so we recommend reviewing it carefully if you need help covering tuition fees.
Do these Affordable Universities in Canada Offer Scholarships?
Yes. Many of these affordable universities offer scholarships, awards, bursaries, or funding opportunities for international students. Eligibility, coverage, deadlines, and renewal conditions vary by university and program. To see more options, visit the Canada Scholarships Page.
Studying at one of Canada’s more affordable institutions for international students can help reduce expenses without sacrificing educational quality. Taking advantage of lower tuition, scholarships, and other funding opportunities can make studying in Canada more manageable. Consider the universities above if you want to compare lower-cost options.
We hope this article on cheap universities in Canada was helpful. To learn more information like this, feel free to check out our Study in Canada page and the Available Programs for International Students!
