Canada’s cosmopolitan climate and esteemed educational institutions have made it a top choice for overseas students. There are a number of considerations when choosing a designated learning institution (DLI), with tuition costs being one of the most important ones. Statistics Canada estimates that in 2024, the average annual tuition cost for overseas undergraduate students in Canada will be $40,115. For foreign students exploring the cost of studying at top Canadian universities, it’s essential to consider both the quality of education and financial commitment.
In addition to tuition, overseas students studying in Canada need a budget for everyday expenses and living expenses, including housing. Here is a summary of the expected costs for overseas students attending Canada’s best universities, taking these factors into account.
The universities on this list are selected by the QS World University Rankings for 2025 using a variety of factors, including reputation among employers and academics, contributions to research, and more.
The tuition prices listed are for a single academic year; however, as most undergraduate programs in Canada span three to five years, students should factor that amount into their overall expenses. Zumper, an online rental and property management marketplace, is the source of rental statistics.
University of Toronto
The university of Toronto (UoT) is the top institution in Canada, coming in at number 25 in the QS World University Rankings for 2024.
UoT is a well-known public research institution that was founded in 1827 and is well-known for its extensive facilities and resources. In addition to having the biggest academic library in Canada, it offers approximately 700 academic programs. The university’s three locations—its historic main campus located in downtown Toronto and other campuses in Mississauga and Scarborough—are home to its eleven colleges.
Projected tuition fees for international students for 2024-25
International students’ tuition costs are program-specific; for the 2024–25 academic year, Arts and Commerce will both set you back $61,720, while Engineering will set you back $67,370. The University of Toronto advises students to save up about $1,000 for laptops and other necessary equipment, along with books. Furthermore, depending on the university selected, the annual cost of on-campus living and meal plans varies from $8,000 to $15,000. If you choose to live off campus, a two-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto typically costs roughly $3,000. Divided equally between the two students, the rent comes to $1,500 per person, not including other living expenses like food.
The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC), established in 1908, is the oldest and most esteemed institution in British Columbia and offers a broad range of academic programs. About 65,000 students from Canada and more than 140 other countries are presently enrolled at UBC, which has two campuses: one in Vancouver and the other in the Okanagan Valley. The institution has a strong reputation for offering specialized degrees in journalism, food market analysis, and international economics. Furthermore, UBC provides international student counselors to assist overseas students in acclimating to Canadian life.
Expected tuition rates for international students for the 2024-25 school year
The following are the tuition costs for foreign students at the University of British Columbia: Engineering programs cost $60,622.65, Commerce programs at the Sauder School of Business cost $61,061.10, and Arts programs cost $47,189.40. The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) listed Vancouver as one of the world’s most livable cities earlier this year. The city does, however, have a higher cost of living, which is something that students should take into account while creating their budgets. In September 2024, the average monthly rent in the neighborhood for a two-bedroom apartment is roughly $3,700, which, when shared, comes to about $1,850 per student.
McGill University
McGill University, located in Montreal, consistently ranks among the top tier of Canadian universities. Almost thirty percent of the university’s enrolled students are international, and it currently offers over 1,200 programs in a variety of colleges, schools, and institutes.
The following is an estimate of the tuition costs for overseas students for the 2024–2025 academic year: Engineering programs cost $66,327.91, Commerce programs cost $70,894.37, and Arts programs cost $47,281.69. Additionally, the QS Best Student Cities of 2025 lists Montreal, ranking cities based on employer activity, affordability, institution rankings, and student life.On Numbeo, a website that compares costs of living, it is often more economical to live in Montreal than in Toronto or Vancouver. If you want to live off campus, a two-bedroom apartment typically costs about $2,300 per month, which works out to roughly $1,150 per student when divided.
University of Alberta
The QS World University Rankings for 2024 placed the University of Alberta in the top 100. It gives students access to more than 200 undergraduate programs across three locations in Edmonton.
The following is an estimate of the tuition costs for overseas students for the 2024–2025 academic year: Programs in the arts are $33,968.40; those in commerce cost $40,300.80; those in engineering cost $45,482.40. Alberta’s reduced cost of living and promising economic future make it a more appealing destination for overseas students. The second-largest city in the province, Edmonton, has very reasonable rent; the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is roughly $1,650, meaning that each student may live for about $850 when split.
University of Waterloo
Maclean’s University Rankings 2024 named the University of Waterloo the “most innovative university in Canada” for 30 of the previous 32 years. It is highly regarded for its cooperative education (co-op) programs, which improve students’ possibilities for work-integrated learning by enabling them to obtain practical job experience with top firms. The university has three other campuses: one in Stratford, Ontario; one in downtown Kitchener; and one in downtown Cambridge. Its main campus is located in Waterloo, Ontario. The expected tuition costs for foreign students in the 2024–2025 academic year are $57,000 for Honors Arts, $55,000 for Global Business and Digital Arts, and $73,000 for Engineering. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Waterloo is $2,350, or $1,175 per student if shared. The cost of living varies depending on the university location as of September 2024.
Dalhousie University
For individuals considering college in Atlantic Canada, Dalhousie University, also known as Dal, ranks 275th in the QS World University Rankings for 2024. With three campuses in Halifax, a fourth in Bible Hill, and a medical school in Saint John, New Brunswick, it is the biggest public research institution in Nova Scotia. Dalhousie is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Universities and provides more than 200 programs through its 13 faculties.
The following is an estimate of the tuition costs for overseas students for the 2024–2025 academic year: Engineering is $43,248.00, Commerce is $37,418.00, and Arts & Social Science is $33,814.00. Dalhousie’s proximity to Halifax’s downtown offers students access to both part-time employment options and the beauty of the outdoors. Due to growing demand, especially in the vicinity of the downtown, rental prices in the area are comparable to those in many other regions of Canada. In Halifax, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment as of September 2024 is roughly $2,649, or roughly $1,325 per student when split.
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan (USask), established in 1907, serves as the main university in the province. As a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, the university is recognized for its research endeavors and offers a wide range of undergraduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs in more than 100 subject areas.
More than 3,000 international students from 130 countries attend the university.
The following is an estimate of the tuition costs for overseas students for the 2024–2025 academic year: Engineering is $54,953, Edwards School of Business is $44,557, and Arts & Science is $36,527. Saskatoon was listed by Nesto earlier this year as having some of the lowest rental costs in any city. In September 2024, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Saskatoon was $1,475, which is 26% less than the average for the country. If split, this would equate to about $737 per student.
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba (UM), established in 1877, holds the title of the oldest and largest institution in the province. You can reach its main campus from downtown Winnipeg by public transportation in about twenty minutes. The campus features over ninety major buildings, including labs, four colleges, and various learning spaces. UM also has other satellite campuses throughout the province in addition to its main campus in Bannatyne. More than 100 undergraduate programs are available at the university, many of which incorporate co-ops. It has grown in popularity over time among international students, who currently make up 22.7% of the student body.
The following is an estimate of the tuition costs for overseas students for the 2024–2025 academic year: Programs in the arts are $19,100, business is $25,300, and engineering is $25,600. When compared to larger cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and even Halifax, Winnipeg has a lower cost of living. On The Globe and Mail’s list of the top 100 livable cities, it came in at number three. The median cost of a two-bedroom apartment for students who opt to live off campus is $1,698 per month, or roughly $850 per student.
Conclusion
International students who intend to relocate to Canada must be aware of the costs associated with attending prestigious Canadian universities. With varying living costs and tuition, prospective students need to plan their academic path carefully. A vital first step in this process is obtaining a study visa, which allows students to fully engage with Canada’s broad educational landscape while making an investment in their future.