Cheap Universities in Canada

Renowned for the mesmerizing Niagara Falls, delectable maple syrup, and the beautiful Northern Lights, Canada has truly emerged as one of the multicultural countries in the world! Welcoming people from all cultures and backgrounds, the country is also considered amongst the top study destinations attracting scores of international students every year. From a plethora of diploma programs to prominent degree courses, the globally acclaimed universities and colleges in Canada offer a wide range of academic opportunities in almost every field of study. Numerous affordable universities in Canada offer economic programs for international students along with varied scholarships, fee waivers, and grants! This blog brings you a complete list of cheap universities in Canada offering affordable academic programs to international students!

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Everything you need to know about the Upcoming Intakes in Canada

Why Study in Canada?

  • When compared to premier institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking nations, Canada’s degrees are far less expensive.
  • Canada’s universities are no exception to the country’s reputation for having one of the top education systems in the world.
  • It may seem overwhelming to study in another country, but doing so in an English-speaking, first-world country makes it easier for international students to adjust.
  • The University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, McMaster University, and the University of Montreal are among the best Canadian universities, according to U.S. News. These universities are all internationally recognized as excellent global schools with tuition rates that are significantly lower than their international counterparts.

Cheap Universities in Canada

Given below is a list of the best cheap universities in Canada along with their estimated average tuition fee:

Know more about the Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students!

Let’s know more about some of these cheap universities in Canada in detail!

Brandon University 

Located in the beautiful city of Manitoba, Brandon University was established in the year 1889. With the present student population of 3,000 students, the university has been accoladed as the #1 University for its student and teacher ratio of 12:1 by Maclean’s Magazine in 2018. As one of the most affordable and cheap universities in Canada, BU has been globally recognized as a student-focused university and has designed programs rooted in strong Liberal Arts and Science tradition to facilitate an interactive and productive learning environment for students. The average tuition fee of the popular undergraduate courses at Brandon University ranges from 13,000-15,000 CAD [roughly ₹ 7,60,079 -₹ 8,76,964 ] while the course fees of postgraduate programs are somewhere around 6,400 CAD [roughly ₹ 3,74,159 ]. Some of the popular programs at BU include, 

  • Master of Rural Development
  • Master of Education 
  • BSc Computer Science 
  • Master of Music [M.Mus] Performance and Literature
  • Bachelor of Nursing

University of Guelph

The University of Guelph brings together Ontario Agricultural College, Macdonald Institute, and Ontario Veterinary College and was established in 1964. It is one of the top universities in Canada for programs in Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, and Food Science. Amongst the 11 departments spread across 19 majors and minors, you can choose from a vast range of short-term and full-fledged degree programs at affordable tuition costs. Another key mention in our list of cheap universities in Canada, the University of Guelph offers undergraduate programs at an average tuition cost of 16,997 CAD – 19,529 CAD [roughly ₹ 9,93,557- ₹ 11,41,565 ] and the same for PG courses is 8,644 CAD- 17,808 CAD [roughly ₹ 5,05,332- ₹ 10,40,920 ]. Take a look at some of the sought-after programs at the University of Guelph:

  • BEng in Computer Engineering
  • BSc in Psychology: Brain and Cognition
  • MSc Computer Science
  • Graduate Diploma in Tourism Research 
  • PhD Social Practice and Transformational Change 

Memorial University of Newfoundland 

Situated on the Canada East coast, the Memorial University of Newfoundland was originally founded as a memorial service for those who were martyred in World War 1 and 2. It began as an academic institution in 1925 and is the only university in Newfoundland and Labrador. Presently it is home to 18,000 students from more than countries and has been featured at the 22nd position amongst the Best Global Universities in Canada 2020 by the US News and Reports. Being a reputed public institution, the university avails hundreds of courses and over 125 exchange programs in more than 40 countries across the globe. As one of the cheap universities in Canada offering affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees, MUN offers undergraduate courses at an average course fee of CAD 11,460 [roughly ₹ 6,40,400 INR] for courses with 30 credit hours and postgraduate courses come around 8,130 – 15,271 CAD [roughly ₹ 4,75,187 – ₹ 8,92,544 ]. Check out the popular courses offered at MUN:

  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Certificate of Public Policy 
  • Graduate Diploma Philosophy 
  • MSc Computer Science
  • MEng Mechanical Engineering

Canadian Mennonite University

Religiously affiliated to Mennonite Church Canada, the Canadian Mennonite University is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The university offers internationally accredited 3-4 year undergraduate and postgraduate programs across diverse disciplines such as Theological Studies, Divinity, Communications and Media, Biology, Intercultural Studies, Music, amongst others. The student-faculty ratio of the Canadian Mennonite University is 1:18 and for the year 2020-21, the tuition fee for international students is CAD 17,000 (₹ 9,93,704) for 3-credit courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Check out the popular programs offered at the Canadian Mennonite University:

  • BA in Biblical and Theological Studies
  • Collaborative MBA
  • Master of Divinity 
  • MA Christian Ministry

University of St. Boniface

Known as the first university ever established in Western Canada, the University of St. Boniface came to practice as early as 1818. Although the institution received its status as a university back in the year 2011, it is constantly known as one of the coveted and affordable universities in Canada. The university offers a varied range of undergraduate programs across several disciplines such as Business Administration, Arts, Health, Education, amongst others. The course fee of both undergraduate and postgraduate programs for international students is $4,600 -$7,500 [roughly ₹260,000- ₹4,38,507 ] for the first year. Here are the top courses offered by the University of St. Boniface:

  • Master of Education 
  • Diploma in Auxiliary Nursing 
  • Certificate Translation

McGill University 

Known as one of the most sought-after universities of Canada, McGill University was established in the year 1821. Located amidst the beauty of Montreal, Quebec, McGill University has a remarkable number of international students from a total of 150 countries. Interesting trivia about McGill University includes the fact that it is a member of the Association of American Universities since the year 1926. With a total of 41,000 students, approximately 31% or 12,800 are international students. The average tuition fees for popular postgraduate courses are between CAD 15,324 – 29,666 (₹8,94,993 -₹17,33,419). The undergraduate fee range between CAD 21,388 – 57,575 (₹12,50,582 to ₹33,65,810) The annual meals and hostel expense comes to approximately an average of ₹3,60,000. The campus is spread over 80 acres and is divided into upper campus and lower campus. The researchers at McGill University have made some landmark discoveries such as the theory of Advancement of Atomic Theory, DNA, and genetic codes. Some of the popular courses at McGill University include.

University of Calgary

Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the University of Calgary is another popular university offering courses at a low price. The entire university is spread over four campuses with one campus even in Doha, Qatar. The main campus is home to some of the top faculties who are equipped with top-class research skills and athletic facilities. The staff is friendly and supportive towards students and the atmosphere in the university is amicable. The University of Calgary was ranked 6th by the Research Infosource in Canada. The employment rate for graduate students from this university is 94.1%. The application fee for students is CAD 14 5(₹8,301 approximately). The average fees for Master’s courses are CAD 29,087 (₹16,98,748). Whereas, for bachelor courses, the fees are at an average of CAD 2,218 – 3,826 (₹1,29,522 to ₹2,23,459). Some of the most popular courses over here are as follows.

  • MBA
  • BBA
  • MEng (Master’s in English)
  • MArch (Masters in Architecture)

Humber College

Another name in our exclusive list of cheap universities in Canada is Humber College or Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. It is one of the publicly funded colleges in Ontario. With a whopping 200 plus programs, Humber College is spread over three main campuses. The total area of the college is 250 acres. It gets its name due to its location near the Humber River. The Humber College boasts 2,40,000 alumni which are spread all over the world. The average meals and hostel cost comes to an annual of ₹6,04,000. The average fee of Bachelor courses offered here is CAD 10,687 – 19,807 (₹6,24,257 – ₹11,56,982). Some of the most popular courses here include the following.

  • BBA (Bachelors of Business Administration)
  • B Tech
  • Diploma in Computer Programer
  • Graduate Certificate in Global Business Management

Cheap Universities in Canada for UG Courses

Undergraduate studies at top-ranked Canadian colleges can cost up to 1 crore Indian rupees or more. Even while most colleges provide financial aid, overseas students may find it burdensome. The following are some of the low-cost institutions in Canada:

University
Annual Tuition Fees (INR)

Brandon University
3.9 Lakhs/Yr

Canadian Mennonite University
7 Lakhs/Yr

Memorial University of Newfoundland
6.7 Lakhs/Yr

Simon Fraser University
9.0 Lakhs/Per Term

Concordia University
10 – 14.5 Lakhs/Yr

Université de Saint-Boniface
4.0 Lakhs/Yr

University of Guelph
20.0 Lakhs/Yr

University of Regina
11.9 Lakhs/Yr

Royal Roads University
13 Lakhs/Yr

University of Saskatchewan
11.8 – 15.9 Lakhs/Yr

Dalhousie University
8.8 Lakhs/Yr

Laval University
12.9 Lakhs/Yr

University of Prince Edward Island
7.6 Lakhs/Yr

Cape Breton University
5.0 Lakhs/Yr

Cheap Universities in Canada for PG Courses

Taking postgraduate education at Canadian universities might cost up to 59 LPA INR. Finding affordable colleges in Canada can be challenging due to the popularity of higher education. The universities listed below are some of the most affordable in Canada for master’s degree programs. The costs at the college/university are also discussed in the table below:

University
Annual Tuition Fees (INR)

Memorial University of Newfoundland
4.5 – 9.0 Lakhs/Yr

University of Northern British Columbia
3.8 Lakhs/Yr

Simon Fraser University
1.1 Lakhs/Per Term

Cape Breton University
5.0 Lakhs/Yr

Nipissing University
7.6 – 13.7 Lakhs/Yr

The University of British Columbia
14.7 Lakhs/Yr

University of Saskatchewan
14.4 Lakhs/Yr

McMaster University
12.3 Lakhs/Yr

University of Victoria
4.7 Lakhs/Yr

University of Calgary
11.8 Lakhs/Yr

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Cheap Universities in Canada for MBA

One of the most popular courses in Canada is the MBA. Not only does Canada have some of the best colleges in the world, but it also has a lot of low-cost MBA programs. The following are some of the most affordable MBA programs in Canada, along with their costs:

University
Tuition Fee (INR)(Annually)

The Memorial University of Newfound land
3.8 Lakhs

University of Northern British Columbia
10 Lakhs

University of Saskatchewan
32.4 Lakhs

University of Manitoba
15.2 Lakhs

Wilfrid Laurier University
24.5 Lakhs

University of New Brunswick
6.9 Lakhs

University of Victoria
22.5 Lakhs

Tuition-Free Universities & Colleges in Canada for International Students

The University of the People is accredited by an American certifying agency and is open to all international students, including Canadians. This totally online university provides a choice of tuition-free programs in Business, Computer Science, Education, and Health Science, including Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees.

Although Canadian colleges have cheap tuition fees, UoPeople’s tuition-free rates are unbeatable. While the convenience of an online degree allows you to study whenever and wherever you desire.

Location-wise Cheap Universities in Canada

As a study location, Canada offers a wide range of territories and towns to choose from. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and British Columbia are among the most popular destinations for overseas students. Let’s look at various low-cost universities in Canada, organized by location:

Toronto

University
Average Tuition Fee/ Annually

OCAD University
16,000 CAD

Ryerson University
30,000 CAD

York University
32,000 CAD

Vancouver

University
Average Tuition Fee/ Annually

University Canada West
21,000 CAD

University of British Columbia
12,000 CAD to 15,000 CAD 

Simon Fraser University
25,000 CAD to 45,000 CAD 

Montreal

University
Average Tuition Fee/ Annually

Concordia University
37,500 CAD

University of Quebec at Montreal
25,000 CAD 

McGill University
21,000 CAD

Ottawa

University
Average Tuition Fee/ Annually

University of Ottawa
33,000 CAD

Carleton University
29,000 CAD

British Columbia

University
Average Tuition Fee/ Annually

Kwantlen Polytechnic University
15,000 CAD

University of Northern British Columbia
35,000 CAD to 48,000 CAD 

University of Victoria
39,000 CAD

Quebec

University
Average Tuition Fee/ Annually

TELUQ University
17,000 CAD

University of Montreal
21,000 CAD

Laval University
20,000 CAD

Ontario 

University
Average Tuition Fee/ Annually

University of Windsor
22,500 CAD

Algoma University
10,000 CAD

Cost of Living in Canada

The cost of living in Canada depends on the city you choose to live in and the type of accommodation you choose. Following are the average costs of living in Canada

Type of Expenditure
Cost (CAD)
Cost (INR)

Accommodation
2,400 – 3,200 
1,41,322 – 1,88,429

Books and Supplies
500 – 1,000
29,442 – 58,884

Meals
940
55,351

Other personal expenses
1,540
90,681

Try out our amazing Cost of Living Calculator to Study Abroad!

Cheap University Accommodations in Canada

Finding inexpensive schools in Canada not only lowers your tuition prices but also provides reasonable student housing for students wishing to study in Canada. Cheap University-Accommodations in Canada are listed below.

University
Accommodation (CAD)
Accommodation (INR)

UBC
600 to 7,200
35,207 4,22,483

McMasters University
7,800 to 10,000
4,57,690 5,86,783

McGill University
6,800 to11,000
3,99,012 6,45,461

University of Montreal
5,800 to 10,100
3,40,334  5,86,783

University of Alberta
5,000 to 10,00
2,93,391 5,86,783

University of Calgary
3,800 to 7,600
2,22,977 4,45,955

SFU
4,5000
2,64,052

Here are some of the greatest scholarship possibilities for you to consider as a student in Canada, based on a pool of scholarships and financing options from research-based or private firms.

Scholarship Name 
Value

Canadian Mennonite University
$1000 per year up to four years(INR 58,678)

Entrance Scholarships
$4,400( INR 2,58,184)

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
tuition, fees, and living costs for 3 years

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
$70,000 per year for 2 Years(INR 41,07,482)

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
$50,000 per year for three years(INR 29,33,916)

Entrance Scholarship
CAD $2,000 off student’s tuition fees(INR 1,17,356)

Affiliated Fellowships Master’s Program
$175 to $16,000(INR 10,268 –  9,38,853)

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FAQs

Which province in Canada is cheaper?

Quebec City ranks as the most affordable of the 15 largest cities and is one of the cheapest places to live in Canada.

Is it cheaper to study in Canada or UK?

Comparing tuition fees and cost of living, Canada is much cheaper than the UK for international students.

Is there any free university in Canada?

No university in Canada will be completely free for an international student. However, you can look for scholarships that can cover the complete cost of studying and living in Canada.

Which university gives the most scholarship to international students in Canada?

The University of Winnipeg and The University of Calgary offer the most scholarships for international students.

Is it cheaper to study in the USA or Canada?

The tuition fees and other living expenses for an international student studying in Canada are lesser than in the USA.

Hence, we hope that this blog helped you explore the best affordable and cheap universities in Canada. Aspiring to pursue higher studies in Canada? Our Leverage Edu experts are here to guide you through the process of finding the right course and university as well as assist you throughout the admission procedure. Sign up for a free session with us today!