Are you planning to migrate to Canada for your academics? Whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate, you may even be searching for the cheapest schools in Canada for international students
There are many public schools in Canada that are quite affordable for international students. You can even find schools with tuition as low as CAD 1,700. Some of these universities also offer funding and scholarships.
In this article, we’ll explore those cheap schools you can apply to as an international student in 2025. We will also explore the list of cheap colleges in Canada for international students without IELTS, the cheapest master’s degree in Canada for international students, and other related discussion. Let’s get you that degree!
Are There Cheap Schools in Canada?
While Canada is home to renowned universities with hefty tuition fees, the good news is there are also some cheap schools in Canada.
And “cheap” doesn’t always mean low quality. Rather, it refers to institutions that offer affordable tuition fees and a reasonable cost of living while maintaining a quality education.
Most of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students in 2025 are publicly funded, thereby providing accessible education for local and international students.
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Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students
Are you an international student seeking to study in Canada on a budget? Have you been asking about the cheapest university in Canada for international students in 2025?
This section will walk you through the list of those schools, with a focus on universities for undergraduate programs.
The universities offer affordable tuition rates and flexible payment plans. Some even provide funding aids and scholarships to international and local students. At the end of this section, you’ll know where to find the cheapest university in Canada for international students in 2025.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #1: Concordia University
With over 11,000 international students across 150 countries, Concordia University is one of the top-ranked affordable schools in Canada for international students. The lowest Concordia University tuition for undergraduates is CAD 30,626 (Fine Arts), and the highest is CAD 32,506 for programs in Arts, Education and Science.
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Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #2: Brandon University
Brandon University is located in the vibrant and charming city of Brandon, Manitoba. A growing university with less than 5,000 students, Brandon university tuition can be as low as CAD 1,628 per annum for undergraduate programs.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #3: University of Calgary
Located in Calgary, Alberta, the University of Calgary is a public research university costing around CAD 14,450 – CAD 42,600 for international students per annum. The U of C has 14 faculties and over 85 research institutes.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #4: Algoma University
Algoma University was established in 1965, and currently has campuses in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins. With undergraduate and master’s programs, Algoma University’s tuition ranges from $10,762.50 and above.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #5: University Of Winnipeg
Popularly known as UWinnipeg, the University of Winnipeg is home to one of the most innovative Science Complexes in Canada, The Richardson College for the Environment & Science. They offer undergraduate and graduate programs, with a tuition ranging between $16,690 and $21,165 CAD.\
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Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #6: University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge boasts as one of the top undergraduate universities in Canada and the second-largest employer in Lethbridge. With over 50,000 alumni across the globe, the University of Lethbridge offers world-class education while maintaining an affordable tuition fee, ranging from CAD 22,360.40 upwards. ULethbridge is known for its flexible programs, offering virtual and weekend classes.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #7: Simon Fraser University
Established in 1965 in British Columbia, the Simon Fraser University (SFU) tuition is around CAD 36,024 per annum for international students. SFU is a popular public research university with campuses in Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver, with Burnaby being the main campus.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #8: University of New Brunswick
First established in 1784, the University of New Brunswick (UNB) is the oldest English university in Canada and one of the oldest in the North American region, maintaining high-quality education over the years. Offering undergraduate and graduate programs, UNB makes the list as one of the most affordable schools in Canada for international students.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #9: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Boasting an alumni network of over 100,000 past students, the Memorial University of Newfoundland is one of the cheapest schools in Canada for international students and also among the top 20 research universities in Canada.
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Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #10: Athabasca University
Athabasca University (AU) is an open university in Canada, offering over 850 courses with a priority on virtual, flexible learning schedules. AU’s tuition is one of the lowest in Canada, with some programs going for as little as CAD 1,753 per year for non-canadian students.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #11: University of Alberta
The University of Alberta (U of A) holds a global reputation for its degrees in the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences. With 200 undergraduate programs and 500 postgraduate programs, U of A has 5 campuses: North Campus, South Campus, Campus Saint-Jean and Enterprise Square Campus, all located in Edmonton, plus Augustana Campus in Camrose.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #12: University of Saskatchewan
One of Canada’s oldest institutions, the University of Saskatchewan sits gallantly among the top most affordable universities in Canada. Their lowest tuition is CAD 37,878, with generous funding aids available for local and international students.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #13: University of Ottawa
With over 40,000 students and over 250,000 alumni, the University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual university in the world, located in the heart of Canada. The tuition can be as low as CAD 36,000 for international students, depending on your program. The university offers over $60M worth of student scholarships and bursaries per year, thereby making quality education accessible and conducive for all.
Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #14: University of Guelph
Located in Guelph, Ontario, the University of Guelph is a public research university established in 1964, and currently boasting of over 180,000 alumni across the globe. International students can get their tuition as CAD 17,970.52 for programs taken in the summer.
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Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students #15: University of British Columbia
Alt: The University of British Columbia architectural design
The University of British Columbia (UBC) was established in 1915, with two major campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan. Times Higher Education World University Rankings places UBC as the 2nd best university in Canada, while the QS World University Rankings places it as the 3rd in Canada and the 38th in the world. As one of the cheapest schools in Canada for international students, UBC’s tuition hovers around CAD 32,518.50 upwards.
What is the Cheapest University in Canada for International students in 2025?
Out of all the cheapest schools in Canada for international students listed in the previous section, the cheapest university in Canada for international students in 2025 is Athabasca University, costing CAD 1,753 and above per year.
Cheap Colleges in Canada for International Students Without IELTS
Are there colleges in Canada that you can gain admission into without having to write the IELTS? This is one of the many questions students ask when seeking admission in Canada. And the answer is yes!
As IELTS exam fee gets increasingly costly, learning institutions around the world are now substituting IELTS for other English proficiency tests, such as:
- Duolingo English Test
- String academic excellence, particularly in English
- Proficiency interviews
- English Language teaching experience
Some cheap colleges in Canada for international students without IELTS include:
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- University of Winnipeg
- Concordia University
- University of Guelph
- Brandon University
- Carleton University
- Brock University
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List of Tuition-free Universities in Canada for International Students
Would you believe it if we told you that there are some universities in Canada that do not collect tuition fees? Well, you shouldn’t. Because it’s not true.
Tuition fees apply to all universities in Canada. While some may be as low as CAD 1,700, others may be up to CAD 70,000 and above.
So when you hear a list of tuition-free universities in Canada for international students, what it really means are universities that offer fully funded scholarships that cover tuition and all other enrollment fees.
Based on the above explanation, here is a list of tuition-free universities in Canada for International Students:
- McGill University
- Saint Mary’s University
- University Of British Columbia
- University of Alberta
- University of Saskatchewan
- University of Manitoba
- Dalhousie University
- Simon Fraser University
- University of Brandon, etc.
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Frequently Asked Questions
One of the cheapest master’s degrees in Canada for international students is Arts and Humanities.
Some of the cheapest cities to study in as an international student in Canada are Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke, Regina, Winnipeg, and Saskatoon.
According to Educanada, the average tuition fee for a master’s degree in Canada for international students is CAD 21,100 per year.
Conclusion: Attend One of the Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students
Now that you know the cheapest schools in Canada for international students, you can apply to any of them based on your study budget.
So get all your documents ready, start your application, and enroll in one of the cheapest institutions. Stay connected to this blog for more education-related updates and other valuable information.
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References
- www.mastersportal.com – Cheap Universities in Canada in 2025
- www.aeccglobal.com – Top 10 Low-cost Universities in Canada for International Students
- www.en.m.wikipedia.org – University of Calgary
- www.en.wikipedia.org – Simon Fraser University
- www.en.wikipedia.org – University of New Brunswick
- www.studying-in-canada.org – Tuition Free Universities in Canada: Offering Fully-Funded Scholarships
- www.educanada.ca – Study Costs for International Students in Canada
- www.upgrad.com – Most Affordable Cities in Canada for Students in 2025: Top 10 Picks
