In 2026, EduCanada lists approximate annual tuition of CAD 16,000–25,000 for college diplomas, an average CAD 41,746 for university undergraduate study, and CAD 24,028 for graduate study. For a study permit, one person must also show CAD 23,448 for living expenses, excluding tuition and transport, when applying on or after September 1, 2026 outside Quebec.
There is no single price for studying in Canada. According to EduCanada, college diploma tuition is approximately CAD 16,000–25,000 per year, including mandatory fees identified by the institution. At universities, the published national averages for international students are CAD 41,746 a year for undergraduate study and CAD 24,028 for graduate study. Program, province, and institution can change the total substantially.
Tuition is not the full budget. Planning must also account for housing, food, health coverage, supplies, local transport, and travel. For a study permit application made on or after September 1, 2026 outside Quebec, IRCC requires one person to show CAD 23,448 for first-year living expenses, in addition to tuition and transport. This is a minimum proof-of-funds requirement, not a forecast of your actual spending.
The first academic filter is the institution. Your letter of acceptance must come from a Designated Learning Institution, or DLI. If working in Canada after graduation is part of the plan, verify the specific program too: attending a DLI does not automatically make every program eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Use the official EduCanada finder to build an initial shortlist. For every option, record the program, duration, official tuition, city, living-cost estimate, DLI status, possible PGWP eligibility, and verification date. Compare options only after applying the same evidence standard to each one.
Immigration rules and costs change. This page structures the decision; verify the latest institution, EduCanada, and IRCC pages before paying an application fee or deposit.
An option that looks affordable may stop fitting the budget once duration, city, and proof of funds are included. An approved institution can also offer programs with different post-graduation work conditions.
Research three official programs and keep only those with annual cost, living costs, DLI status, and possible PGWP eligibility checked at the source.
Compare official programsWIDER Decision Card