Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is located in the province of Ontario. It is an appealing location for prospective students, with a range of postsecondary options. Several institutions in Ottawa offer programs or services in both English and French, while La Cité offers French-language college education. Eligible students may apply for grants and loans. Canada Student Grants and Loans generally require Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or protected-person status, so international students should review funding eligibility carefully.
Students should review each institution’s official scholarship and bursary pages because eligibility, application requirements, and award values vary. Tuition also varies by academic year, program, level of study, course load, and student status. The list below is a practical starting point rather than a definitive price ranking. Consult each institution’s official website or calculator before applying.
Affordable Schools in Ottawa for International Students
1. University of Ottawa
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: varies by program, level of study, course load, and student status; consult the official international tuition tables for 2025–2026 and 2026–2027.
First established in 1848, the University of Ottawa is a bilingual research university in Ottawa, ON. It is the largest bilingual English-French university in the world. It offers more than 550 undergraduate and graduate programs across 10 faculties. The university is home to over 175 student clubs.
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Ottawa is ranked =219th globally. The university reports a student population of 49,753.
2. Carleton University
Founded in 1942, Carleton University is a university in Ottawa, ON. It offers more than 65 programs across five faculties, with strengths in fields such as journalism, public affairs, international affairs, architecture, and technology.
Carleton reports 30,713 students, including 25,119 undergraduate students and 3,646 international students.
3. Algonquin College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: varies by program; use the official tuition and fee estimator.
Established in 1967, Algonquin College is an Ontario public-sector community college with campuses in Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke, as well as fully online programming through AC Online. It offers close to 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Delivery options vary by program.
In Research Infosource’s 2025 Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges list, Algonquin College ranked 45th. Students should use the official program directory to confirm credential type, campus, availability, delivery mode, and current fees for the program they are considering.
4. Saint Paul University
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: latest published 2025–2026 international tuition is CA$9,977.17/term (Undergraduate) | CA$9,888.19/term (M.A. and Graduate Diploma) | CA$9,417.88/term (Ph.D.); fees are subject to change.
Saint Paul University’s origins date to 1848. It is a bilingual institution federated with the University of Ottawa and rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Programs and services are offered in English and French, with both undergraduate and graduate options. Four faculties provide the institution’s programs: Canon Law, Human Sciences, Philosophy, and Theology.
Saint Paul University offers programs in areas including conflict studies, ethics and public affairs, human relations, leadership, ecology and equity, social communication, social innovation, theology, canon law, and counselling, psychotherapy and spirituality.
5. Dominican University College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: contact the institution directly to confirm current fees.
Applicants should contact Dominican University College directly to confirm current program availability, admissions status, tuition fees, and affiliation arrangements before applying. Applicants should also confirm the institution’s current relationship with Carleton University before relying on earlier descriptions of an affiliation.
6. College La Cité
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: varies by program; use the official tuition calculator.
La Cité is a French-language college in Ottawa, ON. It offers more than 140 programs. Its current program directory includes credentials such as certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, and bachelor’s degrees, as well as a range of delivery modes. Program areas include administration, arts and design, communications, construction and mechanics, tourism, health sciences, technology, and legal services.
Students should use La Cité’s program directory to confirm whether a program is available to international students, its delivery mode, and its current tuition.
7. Herzing College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: varies by program; contact admissions for current Ottawa-campus tuition.
Herzing College Ottawa opened in 1970. The Ottawa campus offers career-focused diploma programs in healthcare, business, legal studies, design, and technology, along with skilled-trades training through a satellite location. Depending on the program and campus, learning formats may include on-campus, online, and hybrid study, with full-time, part-time, or evening options.
Ottawa is a city with a range of postsecondary options, including the institutions above. Fees may change, and published tuition may not include residence, books, health insurance, transportation, or other expenses. Consult each institution’s official website for the most accurate fees for your program, student status, and intended year of study.
We hope this article on affordable schools in Ottawa was helpful. Make sure also to check out our Canada Page and the Available Courses for International Students if you’re interested in studying in Canada!
