Here’s how much it costs to study in some of Canada’s top universities as an international student
Over the years, Canada has become a hub for international students thanks to its multi-cultural environment and renowned educational institutions.
Choosing the right designated learning institute (DLI) comes with many considerations, especially tuition cost. According to Statistics Canada, the weighted average tuition fees for all full-time international undergraduate students in 2024 is $40,115 annually.
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Apart from tuition, students also have to take into account accommodation, and general cost of living. Keeping these factors in mind, here’s how much it would cost to study in Canada’s top universities as an international student.
Note: For this list’s purpose, we’ve looked at the top universities across the country chosen by QS World University Rankings in 2025, which is based on factors like academic and employer reputation, research impact and more.
The cost of tuition is calculated for only one academic year. The average undergraduate program in Canada is three to five years, so the total cost of an undergraduate program will need to be calculated accordingly. Rental prices have been taken from Zumper, a digital marketplace for renters and property managers.
University of Toronto
University of Toronto (UoT) came in the 25th place in QS World University Rankings in 2024 making it the top Canadian university on the list.
Founded in 1827, it is a public research university known for its expansive facilities. Students can choose between 700+ academic programs and have access to the largest academic library in the country. UoT has 11 colleges and three campuses, with the oldest located in downtown Toronto and two satellite campuses in Mississauga and Scarborough.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Arts | $61,720 |
|---|---|
| Commerce | $61,720 |
| Engineering | $67,370 |
While daily expenses depend on the campus chosen, the university recommends setting aside $1,000 for books and other equipment (like a laptop) and $8,000-$15,000 for campus accommodation and meal costs per year.
For those choosing to live off campus, the median monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto costs $3,000. Split between two students, it could be $1,500 without accounting for food.
McGill University
Located in Montreal, McGill University also regularly features among top-ranked universities in the country. The university currently offers over 1,200 programs through a number of faculties, schools and institutes and. International students make up nearly 30% of its student body.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Arts | $47,281.69 |
| Commerce | $70,894.37 |
| Engineering | $66,327.91 |
Montreal also ranks among the QS Best Student Cities of 2025 which is based on factors such as university rankings, employer activity, affordability and student life. Living in Montreal also offers a lower cost of living as compared to Toronto and Vancouver, according to cost of living comparison website Numbeo. For those living off-campus, the cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Montreal comes up to $2,300 a month or $1,150 per student.
The University of British Columbia
Established in 1908, this is British Columbia’s oldest university, and it offers a diverse range of academic programs. The University of British Columbia (UBC) features two campuses – in Vancouver and the Okanagan valley – that attract 65,000 students from Canada and 140+ countries around the world today. The university also has some famous and highly specialized degrees in international economics, food market analysis and journalism. It also has international student advisors who can help make the transition easier for international students.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Arts | $ 47,189.40 |
| Commerce (Sauder School of Business) | $ 61,061.10 |
| Engineering | $ 60,622.65 |
Earlier this year, Vancouver ranked amongst most livable cities in the world according to the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU). That being said, it does have a higher cost of living so students might need to account for that. The median monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the area is $3,700 as of September 2024. That makes it about $1,850 per student.
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta placed within the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings in 2024. It features three campuses in Edmonton, and has over 200 undergraduate programs to choose from.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Arts | $33,968.40 |
| Commerce | $40,300.80 |
| Engineering | $45,482.40 |
Alberta is increasingly seen as a top spot for international students because of its more affordable cost of living and strong economic outlook. Edmonton, its second largest city, is fairly affordable, with the median monthly rent of a two-bedroom apartment being $1,650 (which comes up to $850 per student).
University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo was named the “most innovative university in Canada for 30 of the last 32 years” by Maclean’s University Rankings 2024. The university is known for its cooperative education (co-op programs) that give students access to hands-on work experience with top employers, leading to work-integrated learning opportunities. Although its main campus is in the city of Waterloo in Ontario, it operates three satellite campuses in downtown Kitchener, downtown Cambridge and Stratford.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Honours Arts | $57,000 |
| Global Business and Digital Arts | $55,000 |
| Engineering | $73,000 |
The cost of living depends on which campus a student chooses to study on. As of September 2024, the median rent for a two-bedroom rental in Waterloo, ON is $2,350 ($1,175 per student) per month.
Dalhousie University
For those interested in Atlantic Canada, Dalhousie University (also simply known as Dal) ranked at the 275th position in the QS World University Rankings 2024. This public research university is the biggest in Nova Scotia, with three campuses in Halifax, a fourth in Bible Hill and a medical school in Saint John, New Brunswick. It boasts over 200 programs across 13 faculties and is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Universities.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Arts & Social Science | $33,814.00 |
| Commerce | $37,418.00 |
| Engineering | $43,248.00 |
Dalhousie is located close to the downtown area of Halifax, giving students access to plenty of natural beauty as well as part-time jobs. The cost of rentals is on par with many other parts of Canada, due to increasing demand, especially closer to the downtown area. As of September 2024, the median rent for 2-bedroom rentals in Halifax, NS is $2,649 (approximately $1,325 per student) per month.
University of Saskatchewan
Established in 1907, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is the largest educational institution in the province. As a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, it is known for its research and offers a wide range of undergraduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs across more than 100 fields of study. The university is home to over 3,000 international students from 130 countries.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Arts & Science | $36,527 |
| Edwards School of Business | $44,557 |
| Engineering | $54,953 |
Saskatoon was named one of the cheapest cities in terms of rental affordability by Nesto earlier this year. The median monthly rent for two-bedroom rentals in Saskatoon, SK is $1,475, 26% lower than the national average, as of September 2024. That makes it approximately $737 per student.
University of Manitoba
Founded in 1877, University of Manitoba (UM) is the oldest and largest university in the province. Its main campus is located about 20 minutes by public transport from Winnipeg city center and encompasses more than 90 major buildings including four colleges, laboratories and learning spaces. It also has a downtown Bannatyne campus and numerous satellite campuses across the province. It offers over 100 undergraduate programs with many also having co-op opportunities. Over the years, it has become a popular option for international students, who now make up 22.7% of the student body.
Estimated tuition fees for international students 2024-25
| Arts | $19,100 |
| Business | $25,300 |
| Engineering | $25,600 |
Winnipeg offers more affordable cost of living compared to big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and even Halifax. It ranked among third best place to live on The Globe and Mail's 100 most livable cities list. For those wanting to stay off campus, the median price for a two-bedroom rental for $1,698 per month or $850 per month.
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