Ontario · Study destination
Study in Ottawa
Government, public policy, bilingual — Canada's capital city
Population
1.0M (city) / 1.4M (metro)
1-br rent
$1,890/month
Transit pass
$128/month (OC Transpo)
Institutions
6
About Ottawa
Ottawa is the national capital and home to the largest concentration of federal government employment in Canada. University of Ottawa and Carleton University anchor a significant research and public-policy community. The city is bilingual, and French proficiency is an asset for many careers. Ottawa's cost of living is lower than Toronto or Vancouver.
Cost of living
| Average 1-bedroom rent | $1,890/month | CMHC 2024 |
| Monthly transit pass | $128/month (OC Transpo) | Published 2025 fare |
| Avg. international tuition | $24,000–$42,000/yr | Local institutions 2024–25 |
Key employers
Major employers in Ottawa relevant to student internships, co-op placements, and post-graduation careers.
Climate
Cold winters (−8 to −20°C) — the second coldest capital in the world. Warm summers.
Student life highlights
- →Parliament Hill
- →Rideau Canal (UNESCO)
- →Canadian Museum of History
- →Gatineau Park
- →ByWard Market
- →National Gallery of Canada
Find an adviser for Ottawa
Screened advisers who know Ottawa schools — with fee model disclosed before you contact them.
Find an adviser →Data provenance
Population: Statistics Canada Census of Population 2021
Rent: CMHC Rental Market Report 2024
Effective: 2024-01-01
Full sources registry →