15 Cheapest Universities in Canada for International Students

In Canada, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Canada without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Canada, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 131 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Canada, make sure to read more!

How do I get admission to affordable universities in Canada?

Applying to cheap universities in Canada requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Canada for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in Canada?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Canada. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Canada is the Booth University College, which offers Behavioral Sciences, Biblical and Theological Studies, and Business Administration to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Ambrose University offers Divinity, Intercultural Ministries, and Theological Studies.

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Canada for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Canada ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Saskatchewan Polytechnic 4,932 CAD - 21,400 CAD 77%
University of Fredericton 7,500 CAD 65%
College of the North Atlantic 7,590 CAD 64%
North Island College 7,932 CAD 63%
Canadian Mennonite University 9,536 CAD - 12,000 CAD 55%
Saint Francis Xavier University 9,938 CAD - 10,400 CAD 53%
Université Sainte-Anne 10,200 CAD 52%
Booth University College 11,200 CAD - 12,400 CAD 47%
Kingswood University 11,800 CAD 44%
Holland College 11,900 CAD 44%
Université de Saint-Boniface 11,900 CAD - 13,600 CAD 44%
Yorkville University 12,000 CAD - 19,300 CAD 44%
Yukon University 12,000 CAD 43%
Canadore College 13,200 CAD - 15,700 CAD 38%
MacEwan University 13,700 CAD 35%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 21,100 CAD for universities in Canada.

1. Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Saskatchewan Polytechnic, often called Sask Polytech, is a post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is the primary polytechnic in the province and is dedicated to providing career-focused education and applied learning opportunities. The institution has multiple campuses across the province, including Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw, and Prince Albert. Each campus has modern facilities, specialized laboratories, industry-standard equipment, and resources supporting hands-on learning experiences.

2. University of Fredericton

The University of Fredericton believes education should be accessible, convenient and flexible. As a result, it is a fully online university offering degree and certificate programs. It is one of Canada’s best online universities and was designed from the ground up to be a fully online university. Furthermore, the university boasts a capacity to deliver the same quality of education as on-campus universities with the results to back it up.

 

3. College of the North Atlantic

The College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is a post-secondary institution in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is the largest public college in the province and offers a wide range of programs and courses to meet the needs of diverse student interests and career aspirations. CNA provides over 100 full-time programs and more than 300 part-time courses across various fields of study. The college strives to deliver high-quality, hands-on education that prepares students for employment or further education.

4. North Island College

North Island College (NIC) is a community college in Canada designed to provide accessible and affordable education to communities in northern Vancouver Island and the coast of British Columbia. It is among the few comprehensive community colleges in Canada and delivers transformational education through its four campuses, spread across various locations on Vancouver Island.
The College has a unique history, starting in 1975 as a portable college comprising a mobile trailer and some converted school buses. As a result of this history, NIC has built a reputation for delivering outstanding distance education.

5. Canadian Mennonite University

Canadian Mennonite University is a young Christian university in Manitoba offering university education across the arts and sciences, established as a result of three colleges merging. Supported by the Mennonite Church of Canada and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, the university is rooted in Mennonite Christian communities and their traditions but is open to all students, irrespective of their background. The university provides vocation-centered education, encouraging students to work in careers that are personally meaningful, socially relevant, and environmentally helpful. All programs are informed by a commitment to peace and justice, helping to heal a fragmented world and nurture hope.

6. Saint Francis Xavier University

Saint Francis Xavier University (StFX) is a public university in Antigonish, Canada. The university invests much of its efforts and resources in providing excellent undergraduate education but still offers quality education in select high-demand graduate programs. Its mission is to provide top-notch undergraduate education to students of all backgrounds.

In line with its goal of uplifting undergraduate education in Canada, StFX networks with countless thought leaders, institutions and industry experts to provide education that is both engaging and relevant. As a result, StFX is a member of the Maple League, a group of four universities in eastern Canada dedicated to transforming the undergraduate educational experience in the country.

7. Université Sainte-Anne

Université Sainte-Anne is the only French-language university in Nova Scotia. Founded in 1890 by Gustave Blanche, a Eudist Father, to provide higher education for French-speaking Canadians, the university has grown into a bastion of education for French speakers all over Canada. It was named to honour Saint Anne, who is believed to be the mother of the Virgin Mary. The university aims to become the best Francophone university in North America by utilizing engaging learning methods and investing heavily in impactful research.

8. Booth University College

The Salvation Army initially established Booth University College as the Catherine Booth Bible College, a center for biblical studies. As the needs of the founding organization and society evolved, the institute was recast as a “growing Christian university college of choice.” It underwent a tremendous transformation by adding new programs of study and redesigning old programs and saw a significant increase in enrolment. “Education for a better world” is the idea that underlies the college’s main mission and commitment. It aims to train students to not only understand the state of the world but actively try to make it better. Integrating academic excellence with Christian faith, the college offers undergraduate degrees, associate degrees, and certificate programs across multiple disciplines.

9. Kingswood University

Kingswood University is a private Christian university in Sussex, Canada. It is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church in Canada and is among the universities in Canada providing higher education that conforms to core Christian values. The university aims to produce upstanding leaders ready to serve their communities by combining academic rigour with spiritual reformation and upliftment. As a Christian university specializing in religion, most of its programs have to do with theology and the Christian ministry.

10. Holland College

Holland College is a post-secondary institution located in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Established in 1969, it offers a range of career-oriented programs designed to prepare students for the workforce. Holland College offers over 65 diploma, certificate, and apprenticeship programs in business, information technology, health sciences, culinary arts, tourism and hospitality, trades, and more. The programs are developed in consultation with industry professionals to ensure they meet current job market demands and provide students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen fields.

11. Université de Saint-Boniface

The Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) is among the few universities outside of Quebec offering higher education to French speakers. It is the oldest French-language public institution in Manitoba, Canada, serving as a centre of higher learning and research for over two centuries. Located in Winnipeg, the former trading hub of Canada’s indigenous peoples, the university’s campus is surrounded by serene forests and picturesque landscapes.

12. Yorkville University

Yorkville University is a private university with three campuses across Canada, located in Vancouver, Toronto and Fredericton. The campus in Fredericton focuses on fully online education, while the campuses in Vancouver and Toronto offer on-campus classes. Yorkville University believes that university programs should be career-focused and flexible. As such, it curates its courses and curriculum to deal with high-demand topics and subject areas relevant to the contemporary workplace.

13. Yukon University

Yukon University is an institution in the north of Canada with a mission to provide quality education to indigenous people and international students. It is the only university in northern Canada and contributes tremendously to the region’s education and community identity. Furthermore, Yukon University is one of Canada’s foremost experts on indigenous people’s affairs and governance. Its passion for indigenous people’s rights is evident in its emphasis on honouring indigenous cultures, languages, heritage and traditional Knowledge

14. Canadore College

Canadore College, also known as Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology, is a post-secondary institution in Ontario, Canada. Canadore College’s mission is to provide outstanding education and training, as well as applied research and service innovation, to individuals for social, economic, and cultural development. Moreover, Canadore College aims to be a leader in applied education and training, recognized for excellence in program delivery, industry partnerships, and student success.

15. MacEwan University

Established as Grant MacEwan Community College in Alberta, the institute has a rich history of growth and expansion from a community college to a university. It aims to provide a transformative education, facilitating a unique educational experience for students to help them on the path towards growth and accomplishment. Located in the heart of the city of Edmonton, MacEwan University offers undergraduate and diploma programs in a range of disciplines.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Canada for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Canada ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Saint Francis Xavier University 1,063 CAD - 7,882 CAD 94%
Thompson Rivers University 1,150 CAD - 15,100 CAD 94%
Mount Allison University 3,340 CAD 81%
Simon Fraser University 3,971 CAD - 38,700 CAD 77%
Memorial University of Newfoundland 4,833 CAD - 7,800 CAD 72%
University of Lethbridge 4,902 CAD - 11,500 CAD 71%
University of Victoria 5,176 CAD - 22,000 CAD 70%
Canadian Mennonite University 6,169 CAD 64%
University of Saskatchewan 6,543 CAD - 18,100 CAD 61%
St. Stephen’s University 6,845 CAD - 10,500 CAD 60%
University of Regina 6,980 CAD - 12,600 CAD 59%
Ambrose University 7,320 CAD 57%
University of Northern British Columbia 7,494 CAD - 25,500 CAD 56%
University of Manitoba 7,618 CAD - 34,300 CAD 55%
Brandon University 8,021 CAD - 8,407 CAD 53%

* Average Master’s International Tuition is 16,800 CAD for universities in canada.

1. Saint Francis Xavier University

Saint Francis Xavier University (StFX) is a public university in Antigonish, Canada. The university invests much of its efforts and resources in providing excellent undergraduate education but still offers quality education in select high-demand graduate programs. Its mission is to provide top-notch undergraduate education to students of all backgrounds.

In line with its goal of uplifting undergraduate education in Canada, StFX networks with countless thought leaders, institutions and industry experts to provide education that is both engaging and relevant. As a result, StFX is a member of the Maple League, a group of four universities in eastern Canada dedicated to transforming the undergraduate educational experience in the country.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Saint Francis Xavier University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 1,063 CAD to 7,882 CAD annually for their master's degree.

2. Thompson Rivers University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Thompson Rivers University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Thompson Rivers University is 1,150 CAD to 15,090 CAD.

Initially founded as Cariboo College in 1970, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has developed into a comprehensive and influential institution of higher learning in British Columbia. It is named after the convergence of two rivers in Kamloops, a renowned Canadian sporting city that also houses the university’s main campus. The university aims to become a learner-centred, sustainable university serving indigenous, local, and international students through flexible study programs and outstanding research.

3. Mount Allison University

Mount Allison University is a public university in Sackville, New Brunswick, known for supporting free and critical thinking. It is the first university in Canada to award a bachelor’s degree to a woman. Deeply woven into the university’s core is a love for freedom and liberty as it consistently strives to promote diversity and inclusivity in all its initiatives and programs. While the university is among the oldest universities in Canada, it primarily focuses on undergraduate programs to ensure it delivers outstanding education.

The tuition fee at Mount Allison University for incoming international master’s students is 3,340 CAD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Simon Fraser University

Another affordable university to consider in Canada is Simon Fraser University.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public research university in Burnaby City, Canada. The university places great emphasis on research, especially in sustainability. It styles itself as one of the world leaders in research, knowledge development, and sustainability. Due to its focus on research, SFU offers one of Canada’s best graduate and postgraduate programs. Discoveries made by some of its students have been vital to solving global challenges.

The tuition fee in Simon Fraser University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 3,971 CAD.

5. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Memorial University of Newfoundland has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 4,833 CAD yearly.

Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) is a public university founded to honour the memory of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who died in the First World War. The university is renowned for its research in ocean-related fields. It is a partner with the Ocean Frontier Institute and commits most of its research funding to the sustainable utilization of the Ocean’s resources. MUN offers one of the best marine courses available in Canada and has gained a strong reputation in oceanography and related fields.

6. University of Lethbridge

The University of Lethbridge is a public research university in Lethbridge, a fast-evolving city in Southern Alberta. While the university is renowned for its dedication to research, it is also building a reputation as a hub for open discourse and critical thinking. The university promotes equity and inclusion and even creates special initiatives for minorities and disadvantaged members of society. Noticing the need for flexible education, the University of Lethbridge also created a second campus in Calgary. This Calgary campus provides online courses, blended learning programs, and evening/weekend programs to working individuals. The university hopes these programs will enable working professionals to advance their careers or join a new field.

7. University of Victoria

The University of Victoria (UVic) is one of Canada’s top research-intensive educational institutes, with a history that can be traced back to the establishment of Victoria College in 1903. Granting degrees since 1963, the university has more than 20,000 students studying at its campus in Victoria. UVic is committed to engaging with the local community, fostering diverse perspectives from indigenous and international communities, and driving sustainability initiatives. It aims to positively affect society through its research, particularly in the areas of environment and sustainability, health and wellness, and technology’s impact on the human experience. UVic is also committed to encouraging scholarship led by the indigenous population across different disciplines and research highlighting social justice and equity.

8. Canadian Mennonite University

Canadian Mennonite University is a young Christian university in Manitoba offering university education across the arts and sciences, established as a result of three colleges merging. Supported by the Mennonite Church of Canada and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, the university is rooted in Mennonite Christian communities and their traditions but is open to all students, irrespective of their background. The university provides vocation-centered education, encouraging students to work in careers that are personally meaningful, socially relevant, and environmentally helpful. All programs are informed by a commitment to peace and justice, helping to heal a fragmented world and nurture hope.

9. University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is a Canadian university located in the province of Saskatchewan. Its main campus is situated in the lively city of Saskatoon and houses spaces that support USask’s intercultural and interdisciplinary emphasis. The university seeks to bring people across disciplines and communities together to address the region and the world’s biggest challenges with creative and innovative solutions.

10. St. Stephen’s University

St. Stephen’s University is a small private Christian university in St. Stephen, a town with the same name. In its over four decades of operation, the university has evolved into a stable institution with a tight-knit community of staff and students. The university firmly believes in the strength of specialization and focuses on theology, peace, and reconciliation. In addition, it has graduate studies as its focal point and only offers certificate programs at the undergraduate level.

11. University of Regina

The University of Regina (U of R) is a leading public university in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Established as Regina College by the Methodist church, the institute has grown and expanded in the past century. It has campuses in Regina and Saskatoon, with its main College Avenue campus situated in the internationally recognized Wascana Park. The university has a history of emphasizing hands-on training and prepares its students to be work-ready by providing opportunities to gain valuable practical experience.

12. Ambrose University

Ambrose University is a Christian educational institute established with the merging of two colleges with a rich history, Alliance University College and Nazarene University College. It is the official post-secondary educational institute of these two denominations: the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and the Church of Nazarene Canada. The education at Ambrose integrates faith and advanced learning — students are encouraged to explore their academic and professional interests while also staying rooted in and exploring their faith. At its campus in southwest Calgary, the university offers undergraduate programs across several disciplines and postgraduate programs through its Seminary.

13. University of Northern British Columbia

University of Northern British Columbia is a small public university in Prince George, a serene city in British Columbia filled with spectacular landscapes and lush greenery. The university has a reputation for spearheading sustainable initiatives and is colloquially known as Canada’s Green University. In addition to its focus on sustainability, the university is research-intensive in its approach, hoping to bring new knowledge to its students and help solve pressing global and local issues.

14. University of Manitoba

The University of Manitoba (UM) is a research-intensive university and a member of U15. It is the premier institution of higher learning in the Manitoba province, with several achievements in education, science, and technology. The university has produced numerous high-profile individuals, including Nobel Prize recipients, Academy Award winners, Olympic medalists, and high-ranking government officials. UM continues to pave the way for research and learning in high-impact topics like human rights, global health, and climate change.

15. Brandon University

Brandon University was established as a Baptist college in Manitoba, as the region’s missionaries and settlers felt the need for a denominational college for the youth to study. Brandon College began primarily as a liberal arts college with theology courses and a high school department. The school of music was opened in 1906 and gained nationwide recognition for its courses. Even today, Brandon University has one of Canada’s best conservatory departments. The university stopped being a denominational college in 1938, but the local community helped to keep the college open. The institute expanded its degree offerings over the next few decades, becoming Brandon University in 1967.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Canada, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Canada as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Canada for international students was helpful!