Atlantic Canada tuition for international students 2026-27: Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI

Which Atlantic province is cheapest for international students?

Statistics Canada (StatCan) released preliminary 2026/2027 averages on September 16, 2026. They are tuition only, for degree programs.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the cheapest province in Canada for international undergraduate and graduate tuition. Manitoba ($23,160) is the only province outside the Atlantic region below Nova Scotia. See every province in tuition fees in Canada.

What do Atlantic universities charge in 2026-27?

Figures from each school’s official 2026-27 fee page, checked October 10, 2026, for one academic year (two terms) of full-time study.

UPEI also charges program fees for some degrees, such as $1,250 for Engineering. Memorial says some programs have extra required fees.

How Dalhousie’s guarantee works

Dalhousie’s guarantee covers tuition for your program length plus one year, so a 4-year degree is protected for 5 years. You pay 50% in the fall and 50% in the winter. Incidental fees and co-op fees are not included and may change each year. Extra or repeated courses cost more, and changing program gives you a new guarantee at the new program’s rate.

For comparison, Canadian students at UNB Fredericton pay $9,189 in Arts tuition for 2026-27, so the international rate is about 2.3 times higher.

What does a year at Memorial cost?

Memorial University lists sample costs for two semesters of a bachelor’s degree for new students starting in 2026-27, at its St. John’s campus:

• Tuition: $22,500 (Newfoundland and Labrador and other Canadian students: $6,750)
• Student services fee: $100
• Students’ union: $149
• Recreation fee: $148
• Health insurance for international students: $548
• Total: $23,445, before books, residence and living costs

Memorial’s residence rooms with a meal plan cost from $5,237 for the Fall 2026 term.

How does health coverage work in the Atlantic provinces?

Rules differ by province, and many schools add their own plan.

• Memorial: charges international students $548 for health insurance for two semesters.
• UNB: charges an international emergency health plan ($400 a year) and a student union plan. UNB says you need a valid New Brunswick Medicare card to opt out of its emergency plan.
• Dalhousie and UPEI: check each school’s plan and your province’s rules.

Provincial plans have their own wait periods and conditions. Check them in health card by province and health insurance for international students.

Worked example: 4 years at UNB vs one Ontario average

Kofi plans a 4-year Arts degree at UNB Fredericton. At the 2026-27 rate, tuition is $20,903 a year.

• 4 × $20,903 = $83,612 in tuition, if the rate did not change
• Fees rise most years, so treat this as a low estimate

The 2026/2027 average for international undergraduates in Ontario is $50,088 for one year. Four years at UNB’s 2026-27 rate cost less than two years at that Ontario average. Check rent and part-time job options in the city you choose, too.

What mistakes do students make when choosing a cheaper province?

• Using averages as quotes. StatCan averages mix many programs. Dalhousie Engineering ($48,594) costs more than Nova Scotia’s average.
• Forgetting the international fee. At UPEI, the $9,718 international student fee is charged on top of regular tuition.
• Comparing different course loads. Memorial’s sample is 10 courses. Some programs need more courses or lab fees.
• Ignoring graduate options. Newfoundland and Labrador’s average international graduate tuition is only $6,996. Research master’s and PhD students often get funding too. See master’s and PhD in Canada.
• Not checking living costs. Lower tuition helps most when rent, travel and winter costs are also manageable for you.

What should you weigh besides tuition?

• Program choice. Smaller universities offer fewer programs. Check that yours exists and leads to a work permit. See PGWP eligibility checker.
• Fee guarantees. Dalhousie guarantees tuition for program length plus one year. Ask other schools how much fees may rise.
• Study permit spaces. IRCC’s 2026 application spaces for PAL students are small: Nova Scotia 8,480, New Brunswick 8,004, Newfoundland and Labrador 5,507 and Prince Edward Island 1,376.
• Work after study. Plan your route from study to permanent residence early. See study permit to PR.

Tuition in other provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.

Common questions

Sources

• Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0045-01, Canadian and international tuition fees by level of study (2026/2027 preliminary)
• Memorial University: 2026-27 tuition and fees
• University of New Brunswick: Fredericton 2026-2027 tuition and fees, Arts (PDF)
• University of New Brunswick: Fredericton 2026-2027 tuition and fees, Computer Science (PDF)
• University of New Brunswick: Fredericton 2026-2027 tuition and fees, Business Administration (PDF)
• UPEI Calendar 2026-2027: Tuition and fees
• Dalhousie University: International tuition guarantee
• IRCC: 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap

Checked against these sources on October 10, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.