Now more than ever, affordability has become one of the top concerns for international students hoping to pursue their study dreams abroad. Inflation and economic uncertainty have made nearly every aspect of day-to-day life more expensive, shifting student flows and impacting overall student mobility. That’s because for international students, tighter economic conditions impact not only costs at home, but also planned expenses such as rent, groceries, utilities, and more at their destination.
Today, we are taking a closer look at the two most significant costs for international students studying in Canada: tuition and rent. We’ll look at average undergraduate and graduate tuition costs in every Canadian province, as well as dive into rental costs in major cities coast to coast. We’ll also discuss what Canadian institutions can do to help international students address affordability concerns.
Key Insights at a Glance
- For the 2025/26 academic year, the average yearly tuition for international undergraduate students exceeded $41,000,1 representing a 4% increase from 2024/2025.
- Average postgraduate tuition for international students rose by 3% year-over-year, surpassing $24,000.
- Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and PEI continue to be the most affordable provinces for international students, with lower-than-average tuition and rental costs.
- Rents for one-bedroom apartments in Vancouver and Toronto decreased by 5% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024.
How Much Does Canadian Tuition Cost for International Students in 2025/26?
For most prospective international students, the cost of a study abroad program is likely the largest financial consideration they face. Many students rely on financial support from their parents or family, viewing international education as an investment in their future success and career growth. For international students studying in Canada, tuition fees can account for more than half of their annual expenses.2
On average, a four-year undergraduate program at a Canadian institution beginning in 2025/26 will cost over $177,000 in tuition alone.3 By contrast, a two-year graduate program may cost less than $50,000 in tuition.
The following chart shows how average annual tuition costs for international students in Canada have changed since 2021/22:
In 2025/26, the average tuition for international students studying at the undergraduate level nearly reached $42,000. This was a 4% increase over the previous academic year, although it was the lowest year-over-year increase since 2021/22.4
Postgraduate tuition rates also rose by 3% in 2025/26. While this increase was similar to the rate of change for undergraduate tuition, average yearly tuition for postgraduate programs was 42% lower than undergraduate rates. This lower rate largely reflects the difference in course loads between the two study levels, with many graduate students taking fewer courses per semester.5
These increases come at a time when tuition costs are becoming more important as a differentiating factor between institutions. Our Fall 2025 Recruitment Partner Pulse survey revealed that “cost of studying” remains the top priority for international students considering where to study, yet Canada is perceived as less affordable than European destinations like Germany and Ireland. This means that Canadian institutions need to highlight unique program opportunities, post-study career assistance, on-campus services, and post-graduation employment rates to clearly demonstrate the value of an international education on their campuses to prospective students.
Keep an eye out for an upcoming ApplyInsight article on our Fall 2025 Student Pulse Survey, which will provide fresh insights into prospective student opinions from around the world.
Average Tuition Cost for International Students by Province
Variances in tuition rates are influenced by a number of factors, including program length, delivery method, and type of institution. Yet the most substantial impact on tuition paid over the course of a program often arises from where a student decides to study in Canada.
Taking a closer look at Canadian tuition affordability by province, there are significant variations at both the undergrad and graduate levels:
Ontario remains the most popular provincial destination for international students, accounting for 48% of all study permit holders at the end of 2024. Although this is a five point decline from 2023, Ontario tuition rates still have a substantial impact on national averages. And, this high demand means that Ontario institutions often feature higher tuition rates due to how competitive acceptances are for in-demand programs.
Undergraduate tuition in Ontario in 2025/26 was almost 25% higher than the next most expensive province, British Columbia. Likewise, undergrad tuition for international students in Ontario was more than double that of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, PEI, and Manitoba. For price-conscious students, studying in these lower-cost provinces can make their Canadian undergraduate journey significantly more affordable.
Based on average 2025/26 tuition rates, a four-year undergraduate program in Newfoundland and Labrador would cost around $75,000. By contrast, the same program in Ontario would cost nearly $200,000.
Differences in postgraduate tuition were less pronounced, although there were some outliers. Although Ontario was the only province to exceed the national average for undergraduate and postgraduate tuition, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Ontario all surpassed the national average postgraduate tuition. On the other hand, both Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador featured postgraduate tuition under half the national average, making them the most affordable destinations for international postgraduate students in 2025/26.
Comparing provincial tuition rates for both study levels over the past five years shows that nearly all provinces have had regular average tuition increases year-over-year:
All provinces experienced increased undergraduate tuition for international students in 2025/26. At the postgraduate level, Newfoundland and Labrador’s average postgraduate tuition remained stable in 2025/26, coming in at less than 25% of average postgraduate tuition in Ontario.
As in prior years, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia showed the greatest parity in undergraduate and postgraduate tuition rates. However, they are trending in opposite directions, with increases in undergraduate tuition in Nova Scotia outpacing rising postgraduation tuition rates. By contrast, New Brunswick is trending toward higher postgraduate tuition rates than undergraduate ones by 2027/28.
How Much Does Rent Cost for International Students in Major Canadian Cities in 2025?
While tuition is typically the most substantial expense for many international students in Canada, housing costs are often close behind. This is one of the main reasons that the Canadian government increased proof of funds requirements in 2024 and 2025, to better reflect the current realities of cost of living in Canada. Despite the influence of the student cap on total international student populations, housing shortages remain a persistent concern in many destination markets, especially in major urban centres.
Canada’s proof of funds requirement now stands at $22,895, plus first-year tuition and travel costs, to ensure students are financially prepared for success during their study abroad journey.
To understand how much international students will likely pay in rent over the course of their programs, the chart below shows the average rent for one bedroom apartments in select Canadian census metropolitan areas (CMAs) for 2025:6
The average rent for a one bedroom apartment in Vancouver remains much higher than other urban centres, while Toronto, Victoria, and Ottawa have become increasingly similarly priced. However, over the past year, rent in Ottawa and Victoria has largely remained stable. Meanwhile, Toronto and Vancouver both experienced a near 5% decrease in one bedroom rent since Q1 2024 due to increased rental supply.
Based on 2025/26 rates, an international student studying in Vancouver can expect to pay over $110,000 in rent over a full four-year undergraduate program.
In fact, rent increases from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025 were most common among smaller Canadian cities. One bedroom rent in Regina increased 10% year-over-year, with similar increases in rent occurring in Saint John. Other cities, including St. John’s, Winnipeg, and Saskatoon experienced more modest 5% increases. By comparison, rent prices for similar accommodations in Calgary, Halifax, and Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge saw 5% declines year-over-year.
As with tuition rates, the Prairies and Atlantic Canada offer higher affordability in terms of average rent. The two most cost-effective CMAs are in Atlantic Canada, namely Saint John and St. John’s. And, excluding the rapidly growing cities of Halifax and Calgary, monthly rents remain below $1,300 for a one bedroom apartment in all Prairie and Atlantic provinces. Quebec CMAs such as Québec City and Montréal also offer sub-$1,350 average rent, though Quebec is the third most expensive province for international student tuition.
In short, while rental costs have stabilized across Canada over the past year, price-sensitive students can find more affordable options by considering less populated CMAs.
What Canadian Institutions Can Do to Help Address Affordability for International Students
Student mobility towards Canada has been on the decline since the introduction of Canada’s student cap. We recently projected that at least 50% fewer new study permits will be approved in 2025, and study permit approval rates remain at near all-time lows. And, prospective students are increasingly facing Canadian study permit refusals due to lack of financial resources, a necessary check to best support student success in Canada’s ever-changing economic landscape.
Helping students prepare for and understand the financial realities of studying abroad is critical. Students need to ensure they understand the full financial picture before they embark on their study abroad journey. But tuition must also remain affordable enough that institutions can attract students from a wide variety of backgrounds and lived experiences, in a time when students have more destination choices than ever for their study abroad journey. This diversity is important not only for expanding the experiences of domestic and international students on Canadian campuses, but also for the future growth of the Canadian economy.
While study permit caps have created significant volatility for many institutions’ budgets and financial planning, institutions still have a major role to play in helping students understand and overcome financial challenges. Institutions need to ensure that international students have ready access to clear information about scholarships, on-campus work opportunities, and student housing options. And, institutions should ensure they are promoting the value of their programs for students’ life-long success, especially as price-conscious students and families consider the potential return on their investment.
Subscribe to ApplyInsights
Sign up for the latest insights on international education.
About the ApplyInsights Team
FOOTNOTES:
1. Data courtesy of Statistics Canada. All currency in CAD.
2. Based on study permit proof of finance requirements, which require students to demonstrate they have sufficient money to pay for living expenses. As of Sep 1, 2025, the amount required per year for living expenses is $22,895.
3. Based on an estimated 4% increase in tuition costs in 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29.
4. Average undergraduate tuition for international students increased by 6% in each year from 2021/22 to 2024/25.
5. Excluding professional degrees such as those in business (MBA), law, or medicine, which typically have significantly higher annual tuition rates but which account for a smaller portion of overall graduate student populations.
6. According to Statistic Canada’s “Asking rent prices, by rental unit type and number of bedrooms, experimental estimates”, released on June 25, 2025. Off-campus accommodations only.
