Affordable Universities in Canada: Low & Cheapest Universities

There are several affordable universities in Canada for international students with low tuition fees and low cost of attendance. These universities provide high-quality education and have been highly ranked by various global ranking organizations. The overall cost of attending these universities is determined by the location of the university, the type and duration of the course, and the students' standard of living.

The average cost of a cheap masters degree in Canada comes up to $7,056 per academic year. Some of the cheapest universities in Canada along with their tuition fees, cost of attendance, and scholarships for international students are discussed in this article.

Table of Contents

• Cheap Universities in Canada for International Students
• Tuition Fees at the Most Affordable Universities in Canada for International Students
• Courses at Low-Cost Universities in Canada 
• Cost of Living in Canada
• Scholarships for International Students in Canada

Cheap Universities in Canada for International Students

The average tuition fee for a cheap MBA in Canada ranges between $4,900- $13,900 per annum. Listed below are some of the cheapest college in Canada for international students:

University	Tuition Fee (in CAD)
Brandon University	13,000 – 15,000 per year
Universite de Saint-Boniface	4,600 – 7,500 per year
University of Guelph	16,997 – 19,529 per year
Canadian Mennonite University	17,000 per year
Memorial University of Newfoundland	8,130 – 15,271 per year
University of Northern British Columbia	734.03 – 1,715.16 per credit hour
University of Calgary	3,826 – 29,087 per year
University of Saskatchewan	6,536 per year

Brandon University

Founded in 1889, Brandon University is a public institution of higher education in Manitoba, Canada. The university has a total enrollment of around 3,000 students and offers a diverse range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of these courses include business, fine arts, nursing, music, science, education, etc.

In UniRank's ranking of top Canadian universities, Brandon University is ranked #62. To gain admission at Brandon University, international students must submit official transcripts, health insurance, bank statement, proof of English proficiency (IELTS: 6.5, PTE:58), valid passport, and other program-specific requirements.

Read More: Brandon University

Universite de Saint-Boniface

Universite de Saint-Boniface ranks among the world's top 39% of universities, according to Edurank. The university admits students in two intakes a year: Fall and Spring. As a moderately selective institute in Canada, it has an acceptance rate of almost 65%. Interested students must have a score of 94 on the TOEFL and a GPA of 3.5/4 (90%). 

International students can receive scholarships and financial assistance up to 4,000 CAD. The university requires students to provide a completed application form, personal statement, letter of recommendation, an updated CV, academic transcripts, proof of finances, English language and French language proficiency scores, copy of visa, etc.

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University of Guelph

The University of Guelph is one of the top-ranking research-intensive universities in Canada. Around 29,500 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the university, including 1700 international students from more than 130 countries. The university ranks #581-590 in QS Global World Rankings 2022.

Students can apply to the University of Guelph through OUAC or directly via the university's website. English language proficiency scores required by the university are IELTS:6.5, TOEFL:89, PTE:60. Other admission requirements include academic transcripts, standardized scores, valid passport & visa, financial proof, etc. For PG courses, letters of references, GRE/GMAT scores, work experience, resume, etc., will also be required.

Read More: University of Guelph

Canadian Mennonite University

Established in 2000 as a Christian university, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is situated in Winnipeg, Manitoba. CMU offers four UG degrees and four PG degrees with a broad range of majors and pre-professional studies in about 26 disciplines.

Students can apply to undergraduate and graduate courses at CMU by paying an application fee of 150 CAD. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5/PTE score of 58/TOEFL score of 80 is required for admission at CMU. In addition to this, applicants need to show original transcripts, evidence of sufficient financial funds, valid passports, etc.

Read More: Canadian Mennonite University

Memorial University of Newfoundland

The Memorial University of Newfoundland is another option among the best affordable universities in Canada. It has a population of more than 3400 students from over 110 countries. There are more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Memorial University. In addition to this, it also offers over 450 online programs.

As per QS rankings 2022, Memorial University of Newfoundland ranks #751-800 in the world. Official transcripts, English proficiency test results, letters of appraisal, GMAT/GRE scores, financial documents, etc., are some of the major requirements for obtaining admission at this university.

Read More: Memorial University of Newfoundland

University of Northern British Columbia

University of Northern British Columbia is one of the leading research-intensive universities in Canada. More than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs are available to international students at UNBC. Among the finest small universities in Canada, UNBC hosts over 4,253 enrolled students, of whom 3,524 are undergraduates and 736 are pursuing graduate studies.

University of Northern British Columbia has up to 11% of international students, which makes it a culturally diverse institution. U.S. News and World Report ranked the university #31 in best global universities for 2021. The admission requirements of the university include English language proficiency scores (IELTS:6.5, TOEFL: 90: PTE:65), official transcripts, standardized scores, letter of intent, LORs, etc.

Read More: University of Northern British Columbia

University of Calgary

With over 85 research centers and institutes, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is one of the most popular Canadian universities for international students. According to QS Rankings 2022, the university was ranked #235 in the world. With 14 faculties across its five campuses, UCalgary offers over 250 different programs.

The university offers over 110 different programs at the undergraduate level and over 70 programs at the graduate level. For undergraduate programs, the application fee for international students is 125 CAD, and for graduate programs, it is 145 CAD. A minimum TOEFL score of 80 or an IELTS score of 6 or above is required for admission at UCalgary. 

Read More: University of Calgary

University of Saskatchewan

Over 25,700 students are enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), a research-driven university. It houses international students from more than 130 countries, exhibiting a culture of diversity. Its 13 colleges and three graduate schools offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 200 subjects. 

As per the QS World University Rankings, USask ranked #458 in 2022. Students willing to secure a seat at this prestigious university must have a study permit, visa, acceptance letter, official transcripts, proof of financial support, and English proficiency scores (TOEFL:86, IELTS:6.5).

Read More: University of Saskatchewan

Tuition Fees at the Most Affordable Universities in Canada for International Students

The average tuition fees of some of the most affordable universities in Canada for international students are as given below:

Name of the University/ College	Average Tuition Fees
Memorial University of Newfoundland	$4,000
Brandon University	$8,591
University of Saskatchewan	$6,536
University of British Columbia	$7,641
University of Alberta	$10,260
University of Manitoba	$10,280
University of Guelph	$10,544
McGill University	$12,600
University of Calgary	$12,695
University of Moncton	$12,030

The low tuition fee in Canadian universities depends on the type of course and the location of the university. International students can also avail of scholarships and grants based on their financial needs.

Courses at Low-Cost Universities in Canada 

The high-quality courses offered in Canada are globally recognized and also affordable. The courses in disciplines such as humanities, arts, and psychology are much more affordable than courses in engineering, medicine, management, etc. Some of the cheap master's degree in Canada and cheap undergraduate degrees in Canada are as follows:

• The cheapest MBA in Canada for international students is offered in different business disciplines such as accounting, finance, analytics, etc. Cheap MBA in Canada is offered in some of the lowest cost universities in Canada such as the Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Manitoba, etc.

• Seneca College and OCAD College are the cheapest universities in Toronto, offering the cheapest MBA in Canada for international students. The average annual tuition fee at these Canadian universities is $7,262.

• Brandon University is one of the low tuition fees in Canada universities offering affordable courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The tuition fee at Brandon University is $7,203 per academic year.

• Some of the cheap schools for international students in Canada offer quality education at low tuition costs.
• The cheapest masters in Canada is offered at Memorial University of Newfoundland with the average tuition fees of $4000. Some of the other cheap universities in Canada for masters are Brandon University, University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia.

Cost of Living in Canada

International students should bear the living costs in Canada in addition to the basic tuition fees at the respective universities. International students can choose to pursue studies at some lowest cost university in Canada. The overall cost of living and studying in Canada depends on the location of the university and the standard of living of the candidate. International students are advised to have an additional $10,000 over the basic tuition costs to be able to live and study in Canada. The annual average cost of living in Canada has been explained in the table below:

Particulars	Cost (in Canadian Dollars)
Accommodation	$4000- $8000 per year
Food and Dining	$1500- $3000 per year
Transportation	$80- $110 per month
Books and Supplies	$1000- $2000 per year
Clothing and other expenses	$1000- $2000 per year
Basic Utilities and Internet Charges	$220 per month

Scholarships for International Students in Canada

The cheapest college in Canada for international students has low tuition fees and also low living costs. Some international students may require financial assistance for pursuing higher education in Canada. Both need-based and merit-based scholarships are available for international students at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The scholarships in Canada are offered by the Canadian government and other public and private institutions. Listed below are some of the popular scholarships for international students in Canada:

1. University of Toronto Ontario Graduate Scholarship
2. University of Alberta International Scholarships
3. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
4. University of Waterloo Master’s Awards of Excellence
5. University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students
6. Carleton Prestige Scholarships
7. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
8. Canada Graduate Scholarships - Master’s Program
9. NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship
10. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships