Cheapest Universities in Canada for International Students (2026–27): 10 Compared

Quick answer

Among the ten universities we compared, Université de Saint-Boniface in Manitoba has the lowest published 2026–27 international undergraduate fees: $14,345 (Arts) to $16,455 (Business) for a 30-credit year, taught in French (Saint-Boniface fee table). The lowest English-language options are UPEI and Brandon, at about $16,700–$16,900 in tuition on 2025–26 rates, and Cape Breton at $19,875.

IRCC expects a single study permit applicant outside Quebec to show first-year tuition plus CAD $23,448 in living costs, so the minimum funds range from about $37,793 at Saint-Boniface to about $49,698 at Thompson Rivers, before travel (IRCC).

We compared ten universities and did not compare every university in Canada. Brandon and UPEI are shown on 2025–26 rates because we could not find their 2026–27 tables, and both have approved increases.

Ten lower-cost universities compared

Sorted by the lowest published figure for a standard Arts or general first-year program. The figures use different bases, so read the “what it covers” column before comparing two rows.

Sources are listed with each university below. Programs such as engineering, nursing and business can cost more than the figures shown.

How we compared them

We started from a list of universities often named as low-cost for international undergraduates and checked each one’s own fee page or fee schedule. We did not survey every university in Canada, so this is a comparison of ten, not a ranking of all.

• Figures are international undergraduate fees for a standard 30-credit year, in Canadian dollars. Where a university publishes only a per-credit rate, we multiplied it by 30.
• Some universities publish tuition only, and others publish tuition with mandatory fees and health plans. The table says which.
• We found no 2026–27 table for Brandon or UPEI, so they are shown on 2025–26 rates. Academica reports that both approved increases for 2026–27 (Brandon; UPEI), so expect to pay more than shown.
• We do not rank on rent. Most universities do not publish a rent figure, and we found no consistent official source.

Funds IRCC expects you to show

For a study permit, IRCC asks applicants to prove they can pay first-year tuition and living costs. From 1 September 2026 the living-cost figure is CAD $23,448 for a single applicant with no dependants, outside Quebec (IRCC study permit page). Travel costs are extra. This table adds that figure to each university’s first-year fee as a minimum, not a budget.

Where the fee figure includes mandatory fees, the total slightly overstates the tuition IRCC counts. Brandon and UPEI totals use 2025–26 tuition. We used Arts or general rates, so other programs will differ. Check the amount on IRCC’s page when you apply, because it can be updated.

The ten universities

1. Université de Saint-Boniface (Manitoba)

• 2026–27 international fees: $14,345 (Arts) to $16,455 (Business), with Education at $14,830, Sciences at $15,415 and Social Work at $15,850. The table says fees are included except lab fees (Saint-Boniface fee table).
• Teaching is in French, so check the French requirement for your program on the university’s admission pages before you apply.

2. Université de Moncton (New Brunswick)

• International tuition is $15,761. Related fees are $460–$571, technology fee $155, health plan $1,296 and dental plan $56.30, for $17,728.30–$17,839.30 in total (Moncton costs page).
• The same page estimates $22,220–$22,720 a year for housing, books, food and personal costs, using an average residence cost of $5,720.
• Teaching is in French, so check the language requirement for your program.

3. UPEI (Prince Edward Island)

• 2025–26 rates per semester for five three-credit courses: $3,815 tuition and $4,520 international fee, so $16,670 for the year. Other fees add $1,571 in the first semester, including compulsory dental and health insurance, and $403 in the second (UPEI International Overview 2026–2027).
• The same guide lists a double residence room with a seven-day meal plan at $6,099 a semester, and estimated off-campus one-bedroom rent of $1,100–$1,400 a month, both for 2025–26.
• UPEI approved higher 2026–27 fees (Academica). Use UPEI’s fees selector for the current figure.

4. Brandon University (Manitoba)

• 2025–26 approved schedule: Arts tuition is $151.85 per credit plus a $410.00 international surcharge, so $561.85 per credit or $16,855.50 for 30 credits. International student insurance is $1,200 a year (Brandon fee schedule).
• Brandon approved higher 2026–27 fees (Academica), but we could not reach the new table.

5. Cape Breton University (Nova Scotia)

• International tuition is $9,225 plus a $10,650 differential for 30 credits, or $19,875. Adding the $1,283 medical plan and $775.20 in fees gives $21,933.20 (Cape Breton fee page).
• Confirm housing before you accept an offer. We did not find a published university figure to quote on availability.

6. University of Winnipeg (Manitoba)

• 2026/27 international per-credit tuition: Education $646.95, Kinesiology $669.50, Arts and Science $676.65–$762.75, and Business $804.00 (Winnipeg tuition page). For 30 credits that is $19,409 (Education) to $24,120 (Business), with Arts and Science at $20,300–$22,883.
• Health insurance and other fees are charged on top of tuition.

7. Memorial University of Newfoundland

• New international students starting fall 2026 pay $22,500 in tuition, plus small student fees and health insurance (Memorial 2026–27 tuition and fees).

8. Mount Saint Vincent University (Nova Scotia)

• For 2026–27, MSVU lists new international undergraduate tuition and fees for 10 courses at $23,215–$23,667, and room and board at $12,575 (MSVU tuition and fees).

9. University of Manitoba

• Estimated all-in costs for international students taking a full course load: Arts $24,000, University 1 $25,800, Education $25,800, Business $26,700, Science $28,000 and Engineering $31,400. The estimate includes program and lab fees, the U-Pass, a gym pass and health plans, and excludes textbooks (University of Manitoba tuition estimates).
• Fees are approved annually, and the board’s approved rates prevail if they differ from the website.

10. Thompson Rivers University (British Columbia)

• The 2026/27 undergraduate rate is $875 per credit, so $26,250 for 30 credits (TRU international fees). TRU has described its international tuition as guaranteed for the length of a program (Castanet report), so check the terms on its page.

Entrance awards we could confirm

Many universities consider entrance awards automatically at admission, but that differs by university and year. Ask each university’s admissions office whether international students are eligible. See also our scholarships for international students guide.

Working while studying

• Eligible students may work up to 24 hours a week off campus during academic terms, and full time during scheduled breaks (IRCC off-campus work page).
• A separate co-op work permit is no longer needed from 1 April 2026. Mandatory placements are covered by the study permit, so check the conditions with your university’s international office.

Part-time work is unlikely to cover tuition. Treat it as a contribution to living costs, and confirm your own eligibility on IRCC’s page before you accept a job.

Study permit rules that affect your budget

• Proof of funds. CAD $23,448 for living costs for a single applicant outside Quebec, plus first-year tuition and travel (IRCC).
• Provincial attestation letter. Most undergraduate applicants need one. Master’s and doctoral students at public institutions have been exempt since 1 January 2026.
• Cap. IRCC planned up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, with a target of 155,000 new arrivals (CIC News).
• No Student Direct Stream. It ended on 8 November 2024, so everyone uses the regular process.

IRCC changes these rules often. Read the current requirements on IRCC’s study permit page before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

About the author

Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, where he researches academic credentials and the practical questions international students face, such as scholarships, grade conversion and admissions requirements.

How we researched this

Last checked: 23 October 2026. We read each university’s own fee page or fee schedule, linked in its section above. We cross-checked IRCC’s CAD $23,448 figure and the 2026 cap against reports of IRCC’s updates, and we link IRCC’s pages for the rules. Brandon and UPEI are on 2025–26 published rates. Figures we could not match to an official university or IRCC source, including rent, program changes and most scholarship amounts, are not included.

Fees and permit rules change, so confirm them with the university and IRCC before you apply.