Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students in 2026

The cost of studying in Canada depends heavily on the province, programme, and city, with average undergraduate tuition differing by over CAD 30,000 a year between provinces. Overall, Indian students typically spend CAD 48,000-72,000 (INR 33-49 lakh) in the first year, covering tuition, living expenses, and one-time costs such as visa fees and flights.

In this blog, you will learn about tuition fees, visa fees, living costs, and affordable universities in Canada for Indian students.

The total cost of studying in Canada in Indian rupees is close to INR 33-49 lakh for the first year. This includes tuition, living costs, and one-time charges. You pay one-time costs such as visa fees, flights, and exam fees only in the first year, while tuition and living expenses apply every year of your programme.

The table below gives a breakdown of the main expenses you should include when planning your budget for studying in Canada:

Important: This table covers actual spending, not the funds a student must prove to IRCC. 

Since the Student Direct Stream has been discontinued, every applicant now goes through the regular study permit process and must show proof of funds of CAD 23,448 (INR 15.9 lakh) for living costs, on top of the full first year's tuition. This is a bank-balance requirement for the visa application, not an extra expense on top of the living costs already counted above.

Tuition is the highest single cost of studying in Canada, and it varies mainly by programme level, field of study, and province. Statistics Canada’s 2025/26 survey gives the national averages for international students below.

Postgraduate tuition averages about 42% less than undergraduate tuition. Averages hide wide differences between provinces, subjects, and programme types, as the sections below show.

Undergraduate tuition fees in Canada

Undergraduate tuition fees in Canada are around CAD 41,746 (INR 28 lakh) for a year. The actual cost varies by province and subject. Ontario has the highest average international undergraduate tuition, while Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest.

• Ontario has the highest average international undergraduate tuition, at CAD 49,802 (INR 34 lakh), about 19% above the national average.
• Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest, at CAD 18,867 (INR 13 lakh), less than half the national average, which makes it the most affordable province for undergraduate study.
• Engineering, computer science, and business programmes cost more than the national average.
• Arts, humanities, and education programmes usually cost less than the national average.

Postgraduate tuition fees in Canada

Postgraduate tuition averages CAD 24,028 (INR 16 lakh) a year across Canada. It is lower per year than undergraduate tuition, and most master’s programmes run for only one to two years, which lowers the total cost further. MBA and other professional programmes are the main exceptions.

• Ontario has the highest average international postgraduate tuition, at CAD 28,624 (INR 19 lakh), also about 19% above the national average.
• MBA fees range from CAD 30,000 (INR 20 lakh) at mid-tier schools to CAD 42,000+ (INR 28 lakh+) at top-ranked business schools.
• PhD and research-based master’s programmes have the lowest tuition at this level, often CAD 7,000-15,000 (INR 5-10 lakh) a year, and most offer funding, fee waivers, or assistantships that offset part of it.

The Canadian study permit costs around CAD 235 (INR 16,000), including the CAD 150 application fee and CAD 85 biometrics fee. You may also need to pay university application fees and medical exam charges, depending on your application.

These costs add to your pre-departure budget, even though they are separate from your tuition and living expenses in Canada.

Applying to five or six universities can add roughly CAD 500-1,200 (INR 34,000-82,000) to your pre-departure budget. This cost is easy to miss when you plan your budget around tuition alone.

Living expenses are the second-largest part of a study budget after tuition, and they are also the part IRCC checks when it assesses a study permit.
From 1 September 2026, a single applicant studying outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 (INR 15.9 lakh) for one year of living expenses, about CAD 1,950 a month. This amount excludes tuition and travel costs to and from Canada, and Quebec sets a separate, higher requirement. Actual spending ranges from CAD 1,600 (INR 1 lakh) to CAD 2,800 (INR 2 lakh) a month, depending on the city and the type of accommodation.

Toronto and Vancouver have the highest cost of living for international students, while Winnipeg, Montreal, and Calgary can cost 25-35% less for a similar lifestyle.

The table shows the average monthly cost of each expense.

Some Canadian universities offer international undergraduate tuition of around CAD 22,500-32,500 (INR 15-22 lakh) per year, which can help students keep their cost of studying in Canada lower than at many higher-cost universities.

Below are some of the low-cost Canadian universities you can target:

• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• University of Prince Edward Island
• University of Regina
• Brandon University
• University of Winnipeg
• University of Calgary
• University of Northern British Columbia

Your Canada budget can change quickly if you only plan for tuition. Compare university fees, city-wise rent, and daily expenses before you apply. Choosing an affordable city and university can help you keep the cost of studying in Canada under control.

Yocket Premium helps you shortlist universities that match your budget and profile. Advisors can also guide you with scholarships and help you plan your application and visa costs. This makes it easier to manage your finances from application to arrival in Canada.