Canada is increasingly becoming a top study abroad destination for international students looking for an affordable yet high-quality education. With some of the world’s top-ranked universities offering programs at very reasonable tuition fees compared to countries like the US and UK, Canada provides immense value for money.
In this extensive guide, we have compiled a list of the 10 cheapest universities in Canada for international students in 2024 based on average annual tuition fees. These affordable Canadian universities provide a world-class education at a fraction of the cost of other popular study destinations. Whether you want to study in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal or elsewhere in Canada, this list has options across cities and provinces.
Also Read
Benefits of Studying in Canada
Before jumping into the universities, let’s first look at some of the main advantages of choosing Canada for your abroad education:
Affordable Tuition Fees
Canadian universities charge much lower fees compared to the US, UK and Australia. Even the top-ranked universities are quite affordable.
Post-Study Work Opportunities
You can stay back after graduation to work in Canada for up to 3 years.
High Standard of Living
Canada offers an extremely high quality of life with affordable living costs.
Multicultural Society
Canada is an open multicultural society that warmly welcomes international students.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
International graduates can apply for permanent residency through express entry.
These unique advantages make Canada one of the best study abroad destinations for students around the world. Now let’s look at the top affordable Canadian universities for 2024.
University of Winnipeg
Average Annual Fees: $13,515
World Ranking: 801-1000
The University of Winnipeg is the most affordable Canadian university for international students with average annual tuition fees of just $13,515 CAD. Located in the province of Manitoba, it offers a wide range of programs including Science, Arts, Business Administration and Education.With a student population of over 10,000 students, including more than 1,600 international students from over 71 countries, UWinnipeg provides excellent academic and student support services on campus. Its affordable fees paired with academic excellence makes it the Top 1 cheapest Canadian university.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Education
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 83+)
Contact:Phone: +1 204-786-9844
Email: [email protected]. Apply to the University of Winnipeg through its online application portal.
Brandon University
Average Annual Fees: $15,000
World Ranking: 801-1000.
The second most affordable university in Canada for international students is Brandon University with highly competitive tuition fees.
Located in the province of Manitoba, BU has an average annual tuition of only $15,000 CAD across all programs.Renowned for its small classroom sizes and strong academic programs, Brandon University offers over 100 degree options in diverse fields such as Science, Arts, Music, Education and Business Administration. With the student to faculty ratio of 16:1, students receive personalized attention and support.
Popular Programs
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Business Administration
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 83+)
Contact:Phone: +1 204-728-9520
Email: [email protected]
Start your admission application to Brandon University through its online application portal.
Cape Breton University
Average Annual Fees: $15,630
World Ranking: 801-1000.
Offering the most affordable MBA program in Atlantic Canada, Cape Breton University is an excellent choice for international students looking for cheap Canadian universities.
Apart from the highly ranked MBA program, CBU also offers undergraduate and graduate degrees spanning diverse fields like Business, Arts, Science, Education, Nursing and more.With small class sizes and increased professor interaction, students receive personalized guidance and support to excel academically. CBU promotes diversity and inclusion through various student clubs and societies on campus.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Master of Business Administration
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 83+)
Contact:Phone: +1 902-563-1260
Email: [email protected]
Start your admission application to Cape Breton University through the online application portal.
University of Regina
Average Annual Fees: $17,690.
World Ranking: 801-1000.
Home to over 120 undergraduate and graduate programs, the University of Regina is an excellent study option with affordable tuition for international students. It offers degrees in diverse study areas including Arts, Science, Business, Media, Engineering and more across its two campuses.Global partnerships with over 270 universities provide opportunities for student exchange programs. The University of Regina also has an International Student Success Office providing dedicated support services to make the transition smooth for new international students.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Media
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 83+)
Contact:Phone: +1 306-585-6260
Email: [email protected]
Start your admission application to the University of Regina through the online application portal.
University of Saskatchewan
Average Annual Fees: $18,020.
World Ranking: 441-450.
Offering more than 200 academic programs across diverse fields, the University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities providing quality education at affordable costs. With an excellent graduate employment rate of 95%, students gain top-notch skills to accelerate their careers.State-of-the-art research facilities, innovative programs and distinguished faculty provide students with a rich learning experience. Apart from academics, the University of Saskatchewan also provides great support services, clubs and recreation facilities to enable holistic student development.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Education
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+)
Contact:Phone: +1 306 966 5788
Email: [email protected] .
Start your admission application to the University of Saskatchewan through the online application portal.
University of Lethbridge
Average Annual Fees: $18,497.
World Ranking: 801-1000.
Offering over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs, the University of Lethbridge provides international students affordable quality education with average annual fees under $19,000 CAD.Spread across two campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary, ULeth offers degrees in diverse study areas like Business, Science, Arts, Fine Arts and Education. Along with academics, the university also provides great support services, student clubs and recreation facilities to enable holistic student development.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Management
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+)
Contact:Phone: +1 403-329-2762
Email: [email protected]
Start your admission application to the University of Lethbridge through the online application portal.
Mount Saint Vincent University
Average Annual Fees: $18,810.
World Ranking: 801-1000
Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Mount Saint Vincent University is one of Canada’s best small universities providing personalized learning experiences to students. Its small class sizes, innovative teaching methods and strong industry partnerships help students gain top skills. MSVU offers over 40 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across fields like Arts, Science, Business Administration, Public Relations and Education. It also provides co-op programs enabling valuable work experience during studies. The Career Services department also supports students in their job search after graduation.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Public Relations
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+)
Contact:Phone: +1 902-457-6511
Email: [email protected].
Start your admission application to Mount Saint Vincent University through the online application portal.
Vancouver Island University
Average Annual Fees: $19,830
World Ranking: 801-1000.
Located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Vancouver Island University offers students the opportunity to study at one of the most affordable universities in western Canada. It provides a high-quality learning environment focused on student success and skills development.VIU offers over 120 undergraduate and graduate programs including degrees in Business, Science, Arts, Design, Education and more. Small class sizes enable close interaction between professors and students. Excellent co-op programs also enable students to gain valuable work experience during their studies.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Design
Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Science
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+)
Contact:Phone: +1 250-740-6315
Email: [email protected]. Start your admission application to Vancouver Island University through the online application portal.
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Average Annual Fees: $21,000.
World Ranking: 701-750
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology provides students affordable access to high-quality education focused on real-world experience.UOIT offers over 90 undergraduate and graduate programs across fields like Science, Engineering, Business, Education, Law and more. The university has an excellent graduate employment rate of 95% within 2 years of graduation. State-of-the-art labs and strong industry partnerships provide a rich hands-on learning environment.Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Engineering
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 83+)
Contact:Phone: +1 905-721-3190
Email: [email protected]
Start your admission application to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology through the online application portal.
Based on the additional information from the search results about the University of Prince Edward Island:
University of Prince Edward Island
Average Annual Fees: $21,260
World Ranking: 801-1000
The University of Prince Edward Island is the main university in the province, located in the city of Charlottetown. Founded in 1969, UPEI offers a personalized learning experience to students with small class sizes and good access to professors.With over 130 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs across diverse study areas, international students can find an excellent fit at UPEI aligned with their interests and career goals. Alongside academics, UPEI also enables holistic development through student clubs, societies and recreation facilities on campus.
Popular Programs:
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Education
Admission Requirements:
Completion of secondary school diploma
Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
English language test scores (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+)
Contact:Phone: +1 902-620-5187
Email: [email protected] .Start your admission application to the University of Prince Edward Island through the online application portal.
This concludes our list of the top 10 most affordable universities in Canada for international students in 2024. With tuition fees under $22,000 CAD per year, these cheap Canadian universities provide immense value for money without compromising on education quality.
Alongside affordable fees, Canada’s post-study work rights, pathway to immigration and high standard of living also attract over half a million international students every year. The country offers a warm welcome and strong support infrastructure to help you settle in smoothly.
If you are looking for an affordable abroad education option with opportunities to work after graduation, Canada should undoubtedly be your top choice.
