Average Tuition by Province (Domestic Undergraduate)
| Province | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Total |
|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland | $3,200 | $12,800 |
| Quebec (resident) | $3,500 | $14,000 |
| Manitoba | $4,700 | $18,800 |
| New Brunswick | $7,500 | $30,000 |
| BC | $6,400 | $25,600 |
| Alberta | $6,800 | $27,200 |
| Saskatchewan | $7,200 | $28,800 |
| PEI | $7,400 | $29,600 |
| Ontario | $8,200 | $32,800 |
| Nova Scotia | $8,500 | $34,000 |
| Quebec (out-of-province) | $9,500 | $38,000 |
| National average | $7,100 | $28,400 |
Tuition by Program
| Program | Annual Tuition (Average) |
|---|---|
| Arts/Humanities | $5,500-$7,000 |
| Science | $6,000-$8,000 |
| Engineering | $8,000-$14,000 |
| Business/Commerce | $7,500-$16,000 |
| Computer Science | $7,000-$12,000 |
| Nursing | $6,500-$10,000 |
| Education | $5,500-$7,500 |
| Law | $12,000-$22,000 |
| Medicine | $15,000-$28,000 |
| MBA | $20,000-$60,000/year |
| Dentistry | $20,000-$45,000 |
Full Cost Breakdown (Per Year)
Living On Campus
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (average) | $7,100 |
| Residence | $6,000-$12,000 |
| Meal plan | $4,000-$6,500 |
| Textbooks and supplies | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Personal expenses | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Transportation | $600-$1,200 |
| Phone and internet | $800-$1,000 |
| Total | $21,500-$32,300 |
Living Off Campus (Renting)
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (average) | $7,100 |
| Rent (shared apartment) | $6,000-$14,000 |
| Groceries | $3,500-$5,000 |
| Utilities | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Textbooks and supplies | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Personal expenses | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Transportation | $800-$1,500 |
| Phone and internet | $800-$1,000 |
| Total | $22,200-$35,100 |
Living at Home
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (average) | $7,100 |
| Textbooks and supplies | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Transportation (commuting) | $1,200-$2,400 |
| Personal expenses | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Contribution to household | $0-$3,000 |
| Phone | $800-$1,000 |
| Total | $12,100-$18,000 |
4-Year Total Cost Scenarios
| Scenario | 4-Year Total |
|---|---|
| Living at home, affordable province | $50,000-$65,000 |
| Living at home, expensive province | $65,000-$80,000 |
| On campus, affordable province | $80,000-$100,000 |
| On campus, expensive province | $100,000-$130,000 |
| Engineering/Business, on campus | $110,000-$150,000 |
How to Pay for University
Government Grants (Free Money)
| Grant | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Student Grant (full-time) | Up to $4,200/year | Low to middle income |
| Canada Student Grant (part-time) | Up to $2,400/year | Part-time students |
| Canada Student Grant (disability) | Up to $4,800/year | Students with disabilities |
| Provincial grants | Varies by province | Income-tested |
RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Contribution limit | $50,000 lifetime per beneficiary |
| CESG (government match) | 20% on first $2,500/year (up to $500/year) |
| Lifetime CESG maximum | $7,200 |
| CLB (low-income families) | Up to $2,000 |
| Growth | Tax-sheltered until withdrawal |
| Maximum RESP value | $80,000-$100,000+ (with contributions + growth + grants) |
Student Loans
| Province | Program | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | OSAP | Grants + loans, income-based |
| BC | StudentAid BC | Needs-based, grants for low income |
| Alberta | Alberta Student Aid | Grants + loans |
| Quebec | Aide financière aux études | Quebec’s own system |
| Federal | Canada Student Loans | Combined with provincial, floating rate |
Typical Student Loan Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | Prime rate (federal), varies (provincial) |
| Repayment start | 6 months after graduating |
| Maximum borrowing | $15,000-$25,000/year |
| Forgiveness program | None federally (some provincial) |
| Repayment Assistance (RAP) | Reduces payments if income is low |
Scholarships and Bursaries
| Type | Typical Amount | Based On |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance scholarships | $1,000-$40,000 | Grades, extracurriculars |
| In-course scholarships | $500-$5,000 | GPA |
| Bursaries | $500-$5,000 | Financial need |
| External scholarships | $500-$20,000+ | Various criteria |
| Loran Scholarship | $100,000 (full ride) | Character + academics |
| Schulich Leader | $80,000-$120,000 | STEM leadership |
International Student Costs
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (average) | $25,000-$45,000 |
| Tuition (engineering/business) | $30,000-$60,000 |
| Health insurance | $600-$1,200 |
| Living expenses | $15,000-$20,000 |
| Total per year | $40,000-$65,000 |
| 4-year total | $160,000-$260,000 |
Cost-Saving Strategies
| Strategy | Savings |
|---|---|
| Live at home for first 2 years | $15,000-$25,000/year |
| Apply to 10+ scholarships | Potentially $2,000-$10,000+/year |
| Buy used textbooks / use library reserves | $500-$1,000/year |
| Start at community college, transfer | $3,000-$5,000/year in tuition |
| Co-op program (Waterloo, SFU, etc.) | Earn $15,000-$25,000/work term |
| Work part-time (10-15 hrs/week) | $5,000-$10,000/year |
| Maximize RESP and CESG contributions early | $7,200 in free grant money |
| Apply for Canada Student Grant | Up to $4,200/year (non-repayable) |
| Study in Quebec or Newfoundland | $3,000-$4,000/year less tuition |
Affordable Universities in Canada
| University | Province | Tuition (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial University | NL | $3,200 |
| Université Laval | QC | $3,500 (QC resident) |
| Brandon University | MB | $4,500 |
| Université de Montréal | QC | $3,500 (QC resident) |
| University of Manitoba | MB | $4,700 |
| University of Regina | SK | $7,000 |
| Mount Allison University | NB | $7,500 |
Tax Benefits for Students
| Credit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition tax credit | 15% of tuition fees |
| Canada Training Credit | Up to $250/year balance (ages 26-65) |
| Moving expenses deduction | If moved 40+ km for school with scholarship income |
| Student loan interest credit | 15% of interest paid (federal) |
| Textbook amounts | No longer available federally |
| Transfer to parent/grandparent | Up to $5,000/year of unused tuition credit |