17 Best Universities In Alberta For International Students 2025

Alberta is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Canada. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 17 universities and colleges in Alberta, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 17 universities in Alberta, University of Alberta and University of Calgary are the top-performing schools in Alberta. This list covers both public and private institutions in Alberta.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Alberta. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Alberta.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Alberta?

Applying to the universities in Alberta involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Alberta to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Alberta?

Tuition fees at Alberta’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 13,700 CAD to 30,400 CAD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 4,902 CAD to 31,300 CAD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Alberta!

As we cover the best universities in Alberta for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Alberta for International Students

The University of Alberta is a vibrant university in Canada with five campuses at various locations in Canada — four in Edmonton and one in Camrose. It is the fifth-largest university in the country, with over 35,000 students enrolled at the school yearly. The university has garnered a reputation for its impactful research and commitment to bettering the lives of students from indigenous communities in the region. Among its numerous initiatives for indigenous students are free online courses and targeted scholarships.

The University of Calgary, colloquially known as UCalgary, prides itself on its research output and contributions to promoting innovation in Canada. It is a member of the U15, an association of the top 15 universities in Canada, and has distinguished itself through innovations in entrepreneurship. Due to its passion for transforming entrepreneurship in the country, the university operates a business incubator close to the primary campus and actively supports entrepreneurs originating from the school. 

 

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.

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is a public polytechnic in Calgary offering bachelor’s programs in addition to certificate and diploma programs. It is the second-oldest higher education institution in Calgary, providing post-secondary education since 1916. The polytechnic operates through four campuses in Calgary which are equipped with numerous facilities and attractions like the Tastemarket, which combines eating and learning into a unique experience.

Mount Royal University is a public university in Calgary, Alberta. Opened with less than 200 students at a small campus fondly known as “the barn,” the institute has seen tremendous growth and expansion. Today, nearly 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and diploma programs across many disciplines at its Lincoln Park (main) and Springbank campuses. Located on the hereditary lands of indigenous communities, the university aims to respect and integrate indigenous knowledge and honor indigenous identities. Mount Royal University stays true to its founding purpose of providing learning that is personalized to the needs of its students, leading to their success and satisfaction.

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.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, popularly known as NAIT, is among the leading polytechnics in Canada. Initially established in 1962 as a training institution for apprentice electricians, the polytechnic has evolved into a large, comprehensive polytechnic. NAIT offers various courses and provides both degree and skill programs to motivated individuals. Most of its programs focus on developing competencies relevant to the work environment.

The Concordia University of Edmonton was established in Alberta by the Lutheran Church as a junior college for men. It expanded over the years, opening its doors to women and offering general courses in 1939 before gradually becoming a degree-awarding institute in 1987. Though it is no longer a faith-based campus, its goal to “create a community of active citizens, of good and honorable people” has stayed the same. The university prides itself on being a small university with a close-knit community where every student is important while having a global outlook.

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.

Burman University is a private university in Lacombe, Alberta, affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Though it is a private university, it still receives public funding from the government of Canada. This unique arrangement enables the university to hold on to its core Christian values while delivering education that surpasses international standards. As a result, the university has nurtured leaders and exceptional individuals in the spirit of service and hope.

St. Mary’s University is a Christian educational institute in Alberta. Following the Catholic intellectual tradition, it emphasizes the values of integrity, confidence, and compassion. It aims to be a leader in its field, to welcome students from all backgrounds, and provide education for the holistic development of mind, body, and spirit. The university offers undergraduate degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, and education at its Calgary campus.

King’s University (TKUC) is a private Christian university in Edmonton, Alberta. With its focus on internships, practicum placements, hands-on learning, and career counselling, TKUC hopes to ensure success before and after the student graduates. It has a low student-to-lecturer ratio and uses a small class size for teaching to promote student engagement and create interactive lectures.TKUC’s approach to education has led to the university ranking highly on national surveys for student-faculty engagement and quality of teaching.

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is a publicly funded college in the field of art and design. It was initially known as the Alberta College of Art and was a part of the institute now known as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. It is one of four Canadian universities specializing in art, craft, and design and has contributed significantly to visual culture in the country and around the world. Intending to transform the world through art and design, the university has produced graduates who have gone on to become creative leaders, artists, and designers with a growing reputation in Canada and outside.

Athabasca University is one of the country’s biggest open universities, offering education opportunities to students from all walks of life regardless of their background, age, and current life circumstances. The only admission requirement to enroll is that students must be above 16 years old. Being an online university, students can learn from anywhere as it does not operate any physical campus. It is Canada’s only fully digital university, with all courses designed specifically for online dissemination.

Red Deer Polytechnic is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing technical training and applied research skills to indigenous and international students. The polytechnic evolved from a college to become a government-accredited polytechnic in 2021, where it changed its name from ‘Red Deer College’ to ‘Red Deer Polytechnic.’ The Polytechnic takes after the name of Red Deer City as it is the only post-secondary institution in the city. In addition, it is also believed to have played a crucial role in Red Deer City’s development into the third-largest city in Alberta province.

Bow Valley College is a higher educational institute in Calgary committed to providing practical education. Its programs are designed to build skills and help students join the workforce. It offers certificate and diploma programs across different disciplines, particularly in the areas of business, entertainment arts, health, and technology. Bow Valley aims to serve the community and make education more accessible through its regional campuses in Airdrie, Banff, Cochrane, and Okotoks.

One of the first publicly-funded community colleges in the country, Lethbridge College was established as a response to the region’s growing population, wealth, and prosperity and the absence of post-secondary educational institutes in southern Alberta. From its modest beginnings in rented classroom spaces, the college has expanded to a busy campus in Alberta, offering a range of diploma, degree, certificate, and apprenticeship programs. The emphasis is on hands-on and engaging learning, with the aim to produce graduates equipped with the skills to join the workforce and build their careers.