Canada has become a hub for international students, thanks to its multicultural environment and renowned educational institutions. Choosing the right designated learning (DLI) comes with many considerations, specifically tuition costs. According to Statistics Canada, the weighted average tuition fee for all full-time international undergraduate students in 2024 is $40,115 annually. 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 costs to study in Canada’s top universities. 

Note: For its list’s purpose, we have looked at the top universities across the nation chosen by QS World University Rankings in 2024, which is based on factors like academic and employer reputation, research impact, etc. 

The cost of tuition is calculated for only one academic year. The average undergraduate program in Canada lasts 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 

The University of Toronto ranked 25th in the 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 colossal academic library in the country. UoT has over 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 – 2025

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 and $8,000 – $15,000 for campus accommodation and mental costs per year. 

For those choosing to live off campus, the median per month rent for a two-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto is $3,000. Split between two students, it could be $1,500 without accounting for food. 

McGill University 

How much it costs to study in Canada’s top universities? Let’s talk about another university, i.e., McGill University.

Located in Montreal, this University regularly ranks among the top-ranked universities in Canada. The University presently offers over 1,200 programs through several schools, faculties, and institutes. International students make up nearly 30% of its student body. 

Estimated Tuition Fees For International Students 2024 – 2025

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 than in Toronto and Vancouver. For those living off-campus, the cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Montreal is $2,300 a month or $1,150 per student. 

The University of British Columbia  

Founded in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is British Columbia’s oldest University and offers a diverse range of academic programs. The University features two campuses—one in Vancouver and the other in Okanagan Valley—which attract 65,000 students from Canada and 140+ nations around the world today. The University also offers 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 – 2025

Arts $47,189.40
Commerce (Sauder School Of Business)$61,061.10
Engineering $60,622.65

Earlier this year, Vancouver ranked amongst the most livable cities in the world, according to the Economic Intelligence Unit. That being said, it does have a higher cost of living, so students might need to account for that. The median per month rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the area is $3,700 as of September 2024, which is around $1,850 per student. 

University Of Alberta  

How much it costs to study in Canada’s top universities? Let’s talk about another university, i.e., the University of Alberta.

This University will be among 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 – 2025

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 per month rent of a two-bedroom apartment being $1,650. 

University Of Waterloo 

University of Waterloo was named the ‘most innovative university in Canada for 30 out of the last 32 years’ by Maclean’s University Rankings 2024. The University is known for its cooperative education that offers programs 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 – 2025

Honour 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, Ontario, is $2,350 per month. 

Dalhousie University 

Dalhousie University ranked 275th in the QS World University Rankings 2024 for those interested in Atlantic Canada. 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 – 2025

Arts and Social Science$33,814.00
Commerce $37,418.00
Engineering $43,248.00

Dalhousie is located close to Halifax’s downtown area, offering students access to plenty of natural beauty as well as part-time jobs. Due to increasing demand, the cost of rentals is on par with many other parts of Canada, specifically closer to the downtown area. As of September 2024, the median rent for two-bedroom rentals in Halifax is $2,649 per month. 

University Of Saskatchewan 

Established in 1907, the University of Saskatchewan is the largest educational institution in the province. As an integral 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 nations. 

Estimated Tuition Fees For International Students 2024 – 2025

Arts and Science$36,527
Edward 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 is $1,475, which is 26% lower than the national average as of September 2024. That makes it approximately $737 per student. 

University Of Manitoba 

How much it costs to study in Canada’s top universities? Let’s talk about the last University, i.e., the University of Manitoba.

The University of Manitoba 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. In addition, 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 – 2025

Arts$19,100
Business $25,300
Engineering $25,600

Winnipeg offers a more affordable cost of living than big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and even Halifax. It ranked among the third best places 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 is $1,698 per month or $850 per month. 

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].