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Top 10 Cheapest Universities In Canada For International Students

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Rohan Deshmukh
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Canada, one of the most popular destinations among the international student population, is known for its outstanding and affordable education. With tuition fees ranging from CAD 12,000 to CAD 30,000 per year, Canada is one of the most pocket-friendly destinations that provides excellent education. 

So if you are looking for cheap and affordable universities in Canada, we promise you that you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn about some of the cheapest universities for international students in Canada and in the most popular Canadian locations, including Toronto, Quebec, Vancouver, and others.

Yocket, your one-stop solution for studying abroad, is here to simplify your journey to Canada's esteemed universities. Our comprehensive platform streamlines the application process, providing you with personalized guidance and support at every step. Book a free consultation call today and get started!

Table Of Contents

Top 10 Affordable Universities In Canada for 2024

As an international student, you must look for universities that impart an exemplary education and that is not heavy on the pocket. To help you with it, here are the 10 cheapest universties in Canada for international students:

  • Simon Fraser University
  • University of Guelph
  • Concordia University
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • University of Alberta
  • University of Northern British Columbia
  • University of Winnipeg
  • University of Ottawa
  • Brandon University

Now, let's learn about them in detail

1. Simon Fraser University

Housing around 30,000 students across more than 150 countries, Simon Fraser University is a well renowned and one of the most affordable universities in Canada. The university is also regarded as a top university in Canada and globally for its innovation and research.

Simon Fraser University World Ranking 2024

328

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 5,842 - CAD 57,000 (INR 3,57,000 - INR 34,79,000) per annum

Popular Programs

BA in Health Sciences,

BBA,

Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship,

M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics

Locations

Surrey, Burnaby, and Vancouver

2. University of Guelph

The university is counted among the best low-tuition universities in Canada and as a cheap university in Canada. Students studying at the University of Guelph benefit in several ways, including scholarships and high research outputs. The university offers several programs at different levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, certificate, and diploma programs.

University of Guelph World Ranking 2024

591-600

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 3,979 - CAD 14,829 (INR 2,47,315 - INR 9,06,150) per annum

Popular Programs

BA in Art History

Meng. in Biomedical

MBA

B.Sc in Computer Science

Graduate Certificate Business

M.Sc in Clinical Studies

Location

Guelph

3. Concordia University

Concordia University is the largest in Canada in terms of enrollment, with a total student population of 51,000+ students. The university offers programs across several fields, including engineering, economics, computer science, marketing, etc. Its John Molson School of Business is ranked among the top 10 B-schools in Canada.

Concordia University World Ranking 2024

551-560

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 665 - CAD 1,030 (INR 40,635 INR - INR 63,000)  per credit

Popular Programs

B.Com

B.Eng in Aerospace

Master of Supply Chain Management

Master of Applied Computer Science

Location

Montreal

4. University of Calgary

Included among Canada’s top research universities, the University of Calgary is famous for offering excellent graduate programs to both international and domestic students. The university also stands tall on the list of cheap universities in Canada for international students in 2024 and offers an employability rate of 94%.

University of Calgary World Ranking 2024

242

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 14,450 - CAD 42,600 ( INR 8,82,990 - INR 26,03,150  per annum)

Popular Programs

BA in Anthropology

B.Sc. in Geography

M.Sc. in Accounting 

M.Sc. in Software Engineering

Location

Calgary

5. University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan is counted among the top 10 cheapest universities in Canada. The university is famous for being one of the oldest universities in Canada and is a part of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. The university also provides international students with numerous scholarships and bursaries.

University of Saskatchewan World Ranking 2024

473

Average Tuition Fee 

CAD 19,130 - CAD 118,056 (INR 11,78,900 - INR 72,14,000) per annum

Popular Programs

B.Sc. in Biomedical Neuroscience

B.Sc. in Computer Engineering

M.Com

M.Sc. in Computer Science 

Location

Saskatchewan

6. University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is a very prominent university known for being highly research intensive across the globe. The university offers its students eminent placement and career opportunities in Canada. It also boasts an employment rate of more than 90% and, most importantly, is regarded as one of the cheapest universities in Canada!

University of Alberta World Ranking 2024

110

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 1,331 - CAD 4,945 (INR 81,358 - INR 3,02,185) per 3-credit of course weight

Popular Programs

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

M.Sc. in Dental Hygiene

B.Com (Hons.)

M.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering

Location

Edmonton

7. University of Northern British Columbia

Regarded as one of the best small Canadian universities by Maclean Magazine Rankings, the University of Northern British Columbia also makes it to the list of cheap universities in Canada for international students in 2024. The university offers various study levels across a wide variety of disciplines.

University of Northern British Columbia World Ranking 2024

1201-1400

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 10,994 - CAD 25,813 (INR 6,71,800 - INR 15,77,350)

Popular Programs

Bachelor of Applied Science

B.Com

MBA

M.Sc in Health Science

Location

Prince George

8. University of Winnipeg

Ranked one of the best for teaching excellence, diversity, research, and innovation, the University of Winnipeg is also known for being among the cheapest universities in Canada for international students. The university has the third lowest tuition fee in Canada, which is quite below the national average.

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 10,244 - CAD 26,847 (INR 6,25,997 - INR 16,40,570) per year

Popular Programs

BBA

MBA

B.Sc. in Chemistry

M.Sc. in Applied Computer Science

Location

Winnipeg

9. University of Ottawa

Famous for being one of the most globally active universities, the University of Ottawa is home to 40,000 students from countries all around the world. UOttawa offers numerous study programs at the UG and PG levels in the French and English languages and is known to be one of the cheapest universities in Canada!

University of Ottawa World Ranking 2024

237

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 24,972 - CAD 77,520 (INR 15,26,000 - INR 47,37,000) per annum

Popular Programs

M.Sc. in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

B.Sc. in Biochemistry

BBA

Location

Ottawa

10. Brandon University

Brandon University is a small university located in Manitoba. The university is considered to be one of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students. Brandon University offers a lot of study programs, including UG and PG programs, along with certificate and diploma programs.

Average Tuition Fee

CAD 5,580 - CAD 5,731 (INR 3,41,020 - INR 3,50,200) for 9 credit hours

Popular Programs

BA in Music

B.Sc. in Chemistry

M.Sc. in Business and Accounting

Location

Manitoba

Also Read

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Find the right university with College finder tool

Province-Wise Cheap Universities In Canada

Canada, as a study destination, has immense options in terms of territories and cities to choose from. Some of the most popular destinations among international students for low tuition universities in Canada include Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and British Columbia.

Below is a list of cheap universities in Canada sorted location-wise:

  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • Montreal
  • Ottawa
  • British Columbia
  • Quebec
  • Ontario

1. Toronto

Toronto is one of the best destinations for international students willing to study in Canada. Some of the cheap universities in Toronto are listed below:

University

Average Tuition Fee

Popular Programs

OCAD University

CAD 49,000 - CAD 69,000 (INR 30,08,400 - INR 42,36,310)

BA (Hons.) Design

MA in Business Management

Bachelor in Graphic Design

Ryerson University

CAD 29,945 -CAD 38,457 (INR 18,29,830 - INR 23,49,970) per annum

M.Sc. in Data Science and Analytics

MBA

B.Sc. in Computer Science

York University

CAD 38,000 - CAD 100,500 (INR 23,22,050 - INR 61,41,210) per annum

B.Sc. (Hons.) in Computer Science

MA in Design

M.Sc. in Data Science

Suggested: Best colleges in Toronto

2. Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the most chosen cities by international students because of its high placement and career opportunities, along with excellent educational institutions. Some cheap universities in Vancouver are:

University

Average Tuition Fee

Popular Programs

University Canada West

CAD 7,750 - CAD 76,800 (INR 4,73,500 - INR 47,00,000) per annum

BA in Business Communications

MA in Business Management

Bachelor of Commerce,

University of British Columbia

CAD 28,085 - CAD 76,423 (INR 17,16,170 - INR 46,70,000) per annum

BA in Economics

Bachelor in Civil Engineering

BA in Mathematics

MBA

Simon Fraser University

CAD 5,842 - CAD 57,000 (INR 3,57,000 - INR 34,79,000) per annum

BA in Health Sciences,

BBA,

Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship,

M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics

Suggested: Best universities in Vancouver

3. Montreal

Known as Canada’s cultural capital, Montreal is home to international students from all around the globe. The city is also regarded as one of the most student-friendly cities in the world by QS Rankings 2024. Some cheap universities in Montreal for international students are:

University

Average Tuition Fee

Popular Programs

Concordia University

CAD 37,500 (INR 22,91,500)per annum

BBA

Executive MBA

B.Sc. in Chemistry

University of Quebec at Montreal

CAD 25,000 (INR 15,27,600) per annum

BBA

Master in Data Processing

M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering

McGill University

CAD 21,000 (INR 1,28,32,000) per annum

Bachelor in Accounting

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Master in Architecture

Suggested: Best colleges in Montreal

4. Ottawa

The capital of Canada, Ottawa, is known to offer international students an affordable education that is highly valued around the world. Two cheap universities in Ottawa are listed below:

University

Average Tuition Fee

Popular Programs

University of Ottawa

CAD 33,000 (INR 20,16,518) per annum

M.Sc. in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

B.Sc. in Biochemistry

BBA in Accounting

Carleton University

CAD 29,000 (INR 1,77,200) per annum

BBA

Bachelor in Accounting

MA in Computer Science

5. British Columbia

British Columbia has been observed to be home to numerous international students in the past 5 years. Famous for having low tuition cost universities in Canada, some cheap universities in British Columbia are:

University

Average Tuition Fee

Popular Programs

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

CAD 15,000 (INR 9,16,50,00) 

Diploma in Accounting

Diploma in Marketing Management

B.Sc. in Biology,

University of Northern British Columbia

CAD 35,000 to CAD 48,000 (INR 21,57,000 - INR 27,50,000)

Bachelor of Applied Science

B.Com

M.Sc. in Health Science

University of Victoria

CAD 39,000 (INR 29,33,118)

B.Sc. in Computer Science

MBA

MA in Design

6. Quebec

Quebec is one of the most favored destinations in Canada among the international student population for its cultural diversity and the value of the money it provides. Some of the cheapest universities in Quebec for international students are:

University

Average Tuition Fee

Popular Programs

TELUQ University

CAD 17,000 (INR 10,38,810)

BA

Bachelor in Computer Science

University of Montreal

CAD 21,000 (INR 14,22,130)

MBA

M.Eng. in Computer Engineering

Laval University

CAD 20,000 (INR 12,22,130)

MBA 

B.Eng in Computer Engineering

7. Ontario

Ontario is a popular province because of the availability of world-renowned universities and job opportunities. Let us take a look at some colleges that may be considered the cheapest universities in Ontario:

University

Average Tuition Fee

Popular Programs

University of Windsor

CAD 22,500 (INR 13,74,890)

Master of Management

LLM

Algoma University

CAD 10,000 (INR 6,14,700)

Bachelor in Computer Science

BBA

From the Desk of Yocket

Canada offers a world-class education at a significantly lower cost compared to other major study destinations like the US and the UK. This, coupled with its welcoming environment, multiculturalism, and stunning natural beauty, makes it a top choice for international students. Also, most of the cheap universities in Canada offer international students high placement rates and ROIs. 

The 10 universities listed above provide an excellent balance of affordability and quality education, making them ideal options for budget-conscious students. While tuition fees are a major factor, remember to consider other costs associated with studying abroad, such as living expenses, health insurance, and travel.

If you are contemplating between choices then all you need is expert guidance to choose the best Canadian university for your study abroad aspirations. And who can be better than Yocket? With a community of one million students, Yocket experts will help you make impactful solutions to all your study abroad problems. Explore Yocket Premium right away!

Frequently Asked Questions about Affordable Universities In Canada

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