5 best cheap universities in Canada for international students

Canada is a popular higher education destination for international students and for good reason.

From its friendly and warm community to post-graduate work opportunities, the country is creating many avenues for international students to find their futures. 

For international students on a budget, however, finding cheap universities in Canada can be a challenge.

The country’s top-ranked universities often charge high fees; tuition fees for undergraduate programmes at McGill University, for example, cost anywhere between 27,447 to 67,572 Canadian dollars (US$20,159 to US$49,630) per year.

That’s not including the range of miscellaneous fees that you still have to pay, such as the General Administrative Charges, Student Services, and International Health Insurance. These fees can bump the cost up to a range of 30,735 to 70,976 CAD (US$22,574 to US$52,130) a year.

Worse yet, we’re still not yet considering the amount students would have to spend on accommodation, food and travel, as well.

Fortunately, there are cheap universities in Canada that you can consider if you are looking for a more affordable option.

These may not be as well-known as established universities like McGill University and the University of Toronto, but remain unwavering in quality. This means that international students are guaranteed a high calibre in the delivery of education at smaller universities, without having to fork out a fortune to afford the fees. 

Cheap universities in Canada for international students

When you study in Canada, you get to experience the sheer beauty and varied offerings the country is home to. Source: AFP

Brandon University

Brandon University is a co-educational, non-denominational and government-supported institution. It’s situated in Brandon, a small city in the province of Manitoba, providing the perfect quaint and intimate student experience. 

The university is home to six faculties and schools, including the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Health Studies and the School of Music. With over 100 years of experience, the School of Music has a reputation as one of Canada’s finest universities to pursue the subject. 

Fees for international students at Brandon University are dependent on the number of credits taken. For the 2024/25 year, three credit hours cost between 2,170 to 2,339 CAD (US$1,593 to US$1,717) while programmes with 30 credit hours cost between 18,399 to 20,086 CAD (US$13,513 to US$14,752) per academic year. 

Université de Saint-Boniface

The Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) is known as the oldest post-secondary educational institution in Western Canada. It is located in the heart of the city of Winnipeg and is the only French-language university in Manitoba. At its core, the university promotes diversity, inclusion and open-mindedness in its students. 

As programmes at USB are taught entirely in French, you must take the profil linguistique placement test before registration. This will guide you through an online grammar exercise which will then help determine the best first-year French course for you. 

Tuition fees at USB cost around 11,825 to 13,530 CAD (US$8,685 to US$9,937) for bachelor’s programmes.

 

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Canadian Mennonite University

Located in Winnipeg, the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a private institution that focuses on delivering a liberal arts-based education. It’s known for its small size, giving students one-on-one access to professors and rigorous, personalised careers service. This offers a realm of unique opportunities to international students when compared to larger, more well-known universities in Canada. 

CMU is a Christian-led institution and is formally supported by the Mennonite Church Canada and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba. Regardless of this, it actively welcomes students of all faiths and religious beliefs in line with its dedication to fostering a supportive learning community for all. 

A full-time (24 credit hours) undergraduate international student living in the dorm, using the full meal plan, and paying for required health insurance fees can expect to pay about 21,000 CAD (US$15,424) for one year of studies at CMU.

Not only is Carleton University one of the cheap universities in Canada; being located in Ottawa means you get to enjoy events like the Canada Tulip Festival too. Source: AFP

Carleton University

Located in the architecturally and environmentally stunning city of Ottawa, Carleton University can be found surrounded by the region’s economic engine. Here, aside from a quality yet affordable education at one of the cheap universities in Canada, you’ll also have easy access to world-class industries, research centres, and operations by major international companies.

The university has five faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and Design, the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs, the Faculty of Science, and the Sprott School of Business.

Tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year cost between 34,322 to 53,612 CAD (US$25,208 to US$39,376). However, Carleton University has one of the most generous scholarship and bursary programmes in Canada. In 2023, more than 13,500 scholarships and bursaries totalling over 27.7 million CAD (US$23.3 million) were awarded to undergraduate students.

Brock University

Situated in the heart of the Niagara region of Ontario, Brock University has been ranked #1 in Ontario for overall student satisfaction and #1 in Canada for mental health services.

Brock offers more than 120 outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs across seven academic faculties. The university is also in the top five among all Ontario universities for the prestigious 3M Teaching Excellence Awards — Canada’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in educational leadership and teaching at the post-secondary level.

Tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year cost between 37,723 and 38,560 CAD (US$27,706 to US$28,321). The university also offers one of the most extensive recognition programs in Ontario, with guaranteed scholarships beginning at 80%.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on October 8, 2024.