Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is located in the province of Ontario. It houses the Canadian Parliament and is an excellent location for prospective students. It offers high-quality education and reasonable tuition rates for domestic and international students. Most institutions are officially bilingual, and many universities in Ottawa offer education in both French and English. When studying in Canada, students can apply for grants and loans.
It is also important to remember that any student can apply for scholarships, which are best located on the university’s official website. These options, if granted, can cut down your tuition fees exponentially. The tuition fees listed below are presented, depending on its official website. Consult university websites for graduate or baccalaureate tuition rates. So, let’s dive into the cheapest institutions in Ottawa below.
Affordable Schools in Ottawa for International Students
1. University of Ottawa
First established in 1848, the University of Ottawa is a bilingual public research university in Ottawa, ON. It is the largest English-French university in the world. Programs are offered at the institution through ten major faculties: the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Telfer School of Management, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Social Sciences. The university has over 175 student groups and organizations to explore and join.
The University of Ottawa was ranked 10th in Canada by the QS World University Rankings in 2024 and 203rd globally. The total student population is approximately 48,000.
2. Carleton University
Founded in 1942, Carleton University is a public university in Ottawa, ON. Programs here are offered through six major faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Sprott School of Business, the Faculty of Engineering and Design, the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, the Faculty of Public Affairs, and the Faculty of Science. With notable programs like Journalism, Media Production and Design, Public Affairs and Policy Management, and Cognitive Science,
This means Carleton offers many options to domestic and international students. It is also one of the cheapest universities in Ottawa! Carleton has an undergraduate population of approximately 25,722, with 4,251 of whom are international students.
3. Algonquin College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: around CA$10,050/semester (Undergraduate)
Established in 1967, Algonquin College is a public college in Ottawa, Ontario (with two other locations: Pembroke, ON, and Perth, ON). It has been ranked among the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada. With over 180 programs, options range from in-class to online degrees and diplomas, making it an accessible choice for students worldwide. Program options include art and design, skilled trades, public safety, and legal studies.
Degree options include a Bachelor of Interior Design, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Public Safety, Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development, and a Bachelor of Applied Science.
4. Saint Paul University
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: around CA$9,412/term (Undergraduate) | around CA$8,885/term (Graduate)
Saint Paul University is among Ottawa’s cheapest universities. Established in 1848, it is a bilingual Catholic Pontifical institution. Programs and courses are offered in French and English, with both undergraduate and graduate options. Four significant faculties provide the institution’s programs: Canon Law, Human Sciences, Philosophy, and Theology.
Saint Paul University’s undergraduate programs include social communications, human relations and spirituality, public ethics and philosophy, conflict studies, social innovation, and theology.
5. Dominican University College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: around CA$14,440/year (Undergraduate) | around CA$21,660/year (Graduate)
Established in 1899, Dominican University College is a bilingual Roman Catholic university in Ottawa, ON. Programs and courses are offered in French and English. With a predominant focus on philosophy and theology, degree programs span undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Programs are provided through either the Faculty of Philosophy or Theology. Its college is affiliated with Carleton University and offers small, personalized class sizes.
6. College La Cité
Founded in 1990, College La Cité is a French-language college in Ottawa, ON. La Cité offers more than 90 programs to its students. With a predominant focus on diploma programs that specialize in practical training, It only has one-degree program, which is biotechnology. Programs in this cheap university in Ottawa include but are not limited to administration, housing and interior design, communications, construction and mechanics, tourism and leisure, aesthetics and hairdressing, and legal services.
7. Herzing College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: around CA$15,000/year (Undergraduate)
Established in 1985, Herzing College is an English-language institution that focuses predominantly on preparing students for the job market. It offers a range of diploma programs in business, design, healthcare, legal studies, technology, and professional development. Herzing offers the option to study full-time or part-time, with the flexibility of daytime or evening classes and online courses.
Ottawa is a province that houses many low-cost institutions, including the above options and more, offering many accessible options for students across the globe. Fees may be subject to future change per the institution’s rules and standards. The fees listed above do not always reflect the costs of residence and other expenditures, so consult official university websites for the most accurate fees depending on your situation and the year you are applying.
We hope this article on cheap universities in Ottawa was insightful. Make sure also to check out our Canada Page and the Open Courses for International Students if you’re interested in studying in Canada!
