Research · Costs
Cost of study in Canada
Estimated annual budgets for international students, broken down by expense category. Tuition figures are from each institution's published schedule (2024–25). Living costs are based on CMHC rental data and Statistics Canada consumer price indices.
Annual expense categories
| Expense | Annual range (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (international undergraduate) | $15,000–$62,000 | Varies by institution and faculty |
| Rent (1-bedroom, self-contained) | $12,000–$30,000 | Annualised CMHC 2024 averages; Toronto and Vancouver at top of range |
| Shared accommodation (student) | $8,000–$18,000 | Shared house or student residence |
| Groceries | $4,800–$7,200 | Statistics Canada CPI 2024; regional variation ~15% |
| Transit pass (annual) | $980–$1,900 | Published annual pass prices 2025; Toronto at top |
| Health insurance (intl students) | $600–$900 | University health plan or provincial equivalent |
| Books and supplies | $800–$2,000 | Varies significantly by program |
| Personal and social | $2,400–$4,800 | Estimate; highly individual |
| Estimated annual total | $26,000–$108,000 | Wide range reflects institution type, city, and program |
These are estimates. Your actual costs will depend on your specific program, city, living arrangements, and spending habits. Always budget a 10–15% contingency.
Average rent by city
CMHC Rental Market Report 2024. Average private apartment, 1-bedroom unit. Cities sorted highest to lowest rent.
Lowest-tuition options
Concordia University
Montréal, Québec
$18,200–$34,400/yr
International tuition/yr
Université de Montréal
Montréal, Québec
$16,800–$34,200/yr
International tuition/yr
Seneca Polytechnic
Toronto, Ontario
$13,200–$18,400/yr
International tuition/yr
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Burnaby, British Columbia
$12,800–$22,600/yr
International tuition/yr
George Brown College
Toronto, Ontario
$13,400–$19,200/yr
International tuition/yr
Québec's low-tuition policy applies to Québec domestic students, not international students. However, UdeM and Concordia remain among Canada's lower-cost options for international students compared to Ontario and BC universities.