10 Cheap Universities in Canada for International Students

Maple syrup, polite people, ice hockey, and great road trips are among the things that come to mind when people talk about Canada. But, Canada has more to offer to visitors from different parts of the globe.

This North American country has an exceptional educational system. In fact, students from all over the world come to Canada to study. The country is also among the most educated countries in the world. Many of the graduates of Canadian universities end up being employed in Canada or other countries around the world. We will be going over the cheapest universities in Canada for international students.

Cost of Studying in Canada

Aside from tuition, international students planning to study in Canada also have to consider the cost of housing, food, transportation, and medical insurance. While Canada may be a first world country, the cost of living is somewhat affordable.

The cost of living in Canada for a student is between $12,000 CAD ($9,100 USD) and $15,000 CAD ($11373.30 USD) annually. This figure can go up or down depending on the region the student is staying in.

Are Universities Free in Canada?

While universities in Canada are not free, students can apply for a scholarship so they have the opportunity to study without paying a single cent. Many Canadian universities offer free tuition to deserving students.

What are the languages of instruction for universities in Canada?

The main language of instruction for universities in Canada is English. But, some universities also use French as a medium of instruction, particularly in the province of Quebec.

So, if you’re planning to study in Canada, it’s best for you to check the medium of instruction of the university you’re aiming to enter.

Cheapest Universities in Canada

1. Université de Saint-Boniface

The Université de Saint-Boniface is a French-language public university that is affiliated with the University of Manitoba. Established in 1818 by Father Norbert Provencher, it is the oldest post-secondary educational institution in Western Canada.

The university offers several International Baccalaureate courses that allow the students to develop intellectually, ethically, emotionally, and physically. Moreover, its regular Bachelor’s degree program includes several fields of study, including Education, Business Administration, and Social Work.

For extracurricular activities, students can visit the Sportex Fitness Center to play sports. They have several sports to choose from, including badminton, squash, volleyball, or floor hockey. Students can also check out some cultural events held on the campus every so often. With the lowest tuition fee of $2,300 a year,  Université de Saint-Boniface is the cheapest university in Canada for undergraduate students.

2. St. Paul University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $ 2,375 CAD ($1,800 USD) per academic year
    • International $ 7,455 CAD ($5,600 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • Canadian $ 2,532 CAD ($1,900 USD) per academic year
    • International $7,389 CAD ($5,600 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Established in 1848, St. Paul University was originally called the College of Bytown. In 1861, it was renamed to the College of Ottawa before it was granted university status in 1866. After the approval of its charter in 1933, it was renamed again to the University of Ottawa. The university was given its current in 1965.

This bilingual Catholic Pontifical university has four faculties offering several Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs. These programs include Social Communications, Conflict Studies, Theology, and Canon Law, among others.

Aside from offering competitive tuition fees, the university also prides itself on its bilingualism and diversity. It also specializes in social and human sciences. Moreover, the university has a good professor to student ratio of 1:10. With a low tuition fee of $5,600 a year, St. Paul University is the cheapest university in Canada for Master’s students.

3. Memorial University of Newfoundland

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Newfoundland and Labrador Students $2,550 CAD ($1,900 USD) per academic year
    • Canadian $3,330 CAD ($2,500 USD) per academic year
    • International $11,460 CAD ($8,700 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • Newfoundland and Labrador Students $3,780 CAD ($2,900 USD)
    • to $12,000 CAD ($9,000 USD) per program
    • Canadian $4,914 CAD ($3,700 USD) to $67,347 CAD ($50,900) per program
    • International $6,390 CAD ($4,800 USD) to $67,347 CAD ($50,900) per program
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
  • Graduate Tuition Fee Link

The Memorial University of Newfoundland was established in1925 to honor Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans who gave their lives while in active service in World War I. It is also the only university of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The main campus. St. John’s Campus, is located in the capital city of St. John’s. The university has four other campuses: the Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook, the Marine Institute and Signal Hill Campus in St. John’s, and the Harlow Campus in the United Kingdom. The university also maintains an online presence for students who cannot travel but want to study in the university.

The Memorial University of Newfoundland offers over a hundred programs with a wide range of courses in its different campuses. These courses include Anthropology, Chemistry, Food Science, Management, and Technology, among others.

4. Booth University College

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $9,210 CAD ($7,000 USD) per academic year
    • US $11,790 CAD ($8,900 USD) per academic year
    • International $12,960 CAD ($9,800 USD) per academic year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee

Established in 1982, Booth University College was initially called the Catherine Booth Bible College. In 1997, it was renamed William and Catherine Booth College in honor of the cofounders of the Salvation Army. This affordable university in Canada is committed to social justice and blends Christian faith with the passion for service.

Committed to academic excellence, the faculty of the university aims to challenge their students to reach their highest level of academic development. The courses offered by the university include Business Administration, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences, and Psychology, among others.

The university offers academic support for its students through its Academic Learning Center. Moreover, it also ensures the students succeed in balancing their academic and personal lives through the student support program.

5. Concordia University of Edmonton

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $ 4,517 CAD ($3,400 USD) per term
    • International $ 7,442 CAD ($5,600 USD) per term
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • Canadian $8,777 CAD ($6,600 USD) to $10,577 CAD ($8,000 USD) per term
    • International $11,702 CAD ($8,900 USD) to $13,502 CAD ($10,200 USD) per term
  • Tuition Fee Link

Located in Edmonton, Alberta, the Concordia University of Edmonton was originally called the Concordia College when it was established in 1921 by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. The name was later changed in 1995 into Concordia University College of Alberta. It received its present name in 2015.

The Concordia University of Edmonton may be a small boutique university, but all the students have a global outlook. This cheap university in Canada has five faculties offering a suitable number of degree programs, including Biology, Chemistry, Drama, Data Management, and Mathematics, among others.

The university ensures the students gain the necessary skills to become successful academically through its Student Learning Services. Additionally, Campus Counselors are also available for students looking for advice about their personal lives.

6. Simon Fraser University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $6,750 CAD ($5,100 USD) per academic year
    • International $29,400 CAD ($22,200 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee Link

The next affordable university in Canada is Simon Fraser University, a public research university based in British Columbia. It has three campuses located in Vancouver, Surrey, and Burnaby. The university is considered as the most engaged research university in the country and is a member of several national and international higher education organizations.

The university has eight faculties offered a wide array of programs for its students. These programs include Actuarial Science, Health Ethics, Interactive Arts and Technology, Business and Economics, Languages, and Urban Studies, among others.

For extracurricular activities, students can work up a sweat at the fitness facilities of the university, which is the biggest in Western Canada. The students can also count on the university in providing support for their personal, spiritual, and cultural development.

7. University of Saskatchewan

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $6,613 CAD ($5,000 USD) to $67,347 CAD ($50,900 USD) per academic year
    • International $18,053 CAD ($13,600 USD) to $67,347 CAD ($50,900 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • Canadian $4,260 CAD ($3,200 USD) per academic year
    • International $6,730.80 CAD ($5,100 USD) per academic year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
  • Graduate Tuition Fee Link

Established in 1907, the University of Saskatchewan is located on Treaty 6 territory and the Métis homeland in the heart of Saskatoon. This public research university is among the best research-intensive and medical doctoral universities in the country.

Among the more notable facilities of the university are the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, the Global Institute for Food Security, VIDO-InterVac, the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation, and the Global Institute for Water Security.

The University of Saskatchewan offers a wide range of programs for its students, including Agriculture and Bioresources, Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, and Law, among others. The graduates of the university are known for their solid work ethic, determination, and resourcefulness.

8. Dominican University College

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $4,364 CAD ($3,300 USD) per academic year
    • International $13,120 CAD ($9,900 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • Canadian $7,032 CAD ($5,300 USD) per academic year
    • International $19,680 CAD ($14,900 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee Link

The Dominican University College is a bilingual research university situated in Ottawa, Ontario. Established in 1900, this cheap university in Canada provides students with the opportunity to become expert researchers as well as well-rounded individuals.

The university focuses mainly on theology and philosophy. As such, the programs offered by the university trains the students to take a cerebral approach towards answering deep and complex questions about Dominican University College.

The multicultural and multilingual community where the university is located allows students to explore and experience other cultures. Additionally, the university also provides sports facilities for students who may want to play soccer, jog, or go on an outdoor adventure.

9. University of Winnipeg

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $3,942 CAD ($3,000 USD) to $ 4,551CAD ($3,400 USD) per semester
    • International $14,700 CAD ($11,100 USD)to $ 17,700. CAD ($13,400 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • Canadian $4,699 CAD ($3,600 USD) to $23,499.96 CAD ($17,800 USD) per academic year
    • International $9,676. CAD ($7,300 USD) to $25,835 CAD ($19,500 USD) per academic year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
  • Graduate Tuition Fee Link

The University of Winnipeg us a public research university offering unique degree programs in Western Canada. Established in 1967 the university emerged after the United College received its charter. The university is known for its academic excellence, small class size, and its commitment to indigenous inclusion.

The university has six faculties offering several Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses. The Bachelor’s degree courses offered by the university include Arts, Education, Science, Business and Economics, and Theology. On the other hand, its Master’s degree programs include Theology, English, Applied Computer Science and Society, and Criminal Justice.

Students at the University of Winnipeg can look forward to a thriving arts and culture community. Additionally, the university also has a fitness center where students can exercise using modern equipment.

10. Canadian Mennonite University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • Canadian $14,000 CAD ($10,600 USD)/per academic year
    • International $17,000 CAD ($12,900 USD) per academic year
  • Tuition Fee Link

The final university in our list of cheapest universities in Canada is the Canadian Mennonite University, a private university that enjoys the support of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba and the Mennonite Church Canada. Established in 2000, the university accepts students from different racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as long as they meet the academic entrance requirements.

The university offers a number of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including Communications and Media, Social Sciences, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Music, and Business Administration.

Students looking for a good place to study at a reasonable cost can consider going to Canada where they get a good education and the chance to explore the Great White North.

 

I hope that this article on the cheap universities in Canada was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Cheap Tuition Category!