Cost of Studying in Canada Calculator (2026-27 Fees)

Key takeaways

Year one at a big Canadian university often costs $80,000 to $100,000 or more for an international student, with rent included
IRCC’s minimum is lower: $23,448 for living costs plus first-year tuition (applications from September 1, 2026)
Health insurance: about $948 a year (Ontario UHIP, 2026-27), $900 in BC ($75 a month), no premium in Alberta with a 12-month permit
Tuition usually rises each year: UBC caps rises for new international students at 3% a year; U of T raised its 2026-27 fees by 4%
You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes, but do not count on it to pay tuition

How much does it cost to study in Canada?

Your cost has four parts: tuition and fees, health insurance, housing and daily living. Tuition is the biggest part at a university. At a college, rent and food can cost more than tuition.

Statistics Canada’s average international undergraduate tuition was $41,746 in 2025/2026, but large universities in Toronto and Vancouver charge far more. See averages by province in our tuition fees data page.

Fees in the calculator (2026-27)

School and program	International tuition, per year	Notes
University of Toronto, Arts & Science	$66,110	2026-27 fee schedule, up 4%
University of Toronto, Engineering	$72,860	2026-27 fee schedule, up 4%
UBC Vancouver, Arts	$51,530.40	Full course load; rises capped at 3% a year
UBC Vancouver, Science	$53,082	Full course load; rises capped at 3% a year
UBC Vancouver, Engineering	$66,199.66	Full course load; rises capped at 3% a year
University of Waterloo, Engineering	$75,000	First year, two terms, includes incidental fees
Queen’s University, Smith Engineering	$59,283.74	Plus $1,635.83 student and ancillary fees
Conestoga College, diploma	$15,477	Two terms, tuition only

Health insurance by province

Ontario: university students usually pay the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Queen’s lists $948 for 2026-27. Colleges use their own plans.
British Columbia: international students with a study permit of 6 months or more pay a health fee of $75 a month ($900 a year) for the Medical Services Plan, after a wait period.
Alberta: students with a 12-month study permit who live in Alberta can join the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, which has no premium.
Other provinces and territories: rules differ. Some cover students after a wait, others need a school plan. Enter your school’s plan cost. See health card by province.

How the calculator counts

Tuition: the school’s 2026-27 international fee, or your own figure. Each later year adds the yearly increase you choose.
Fees and insurance: extra compulsory fees we could confirm, plus health insurance for the province.
Rent: your rent, or the low end of the 1-bedroom range for the city you pick. Many students share, so enter your real rent if you know it.
Other living costs: our estimate of $755 a month for food, phone, internet, utilities and tenant insurance, plus the city’s monthly transit pass. Enter your own amount to replace it.
Proof of funds check: it compares year one with IRCC’s minimum: $23,448 plus first-year tuition and fees.

Worked example

Mei will study Arts & Science at the University of Toronto for 4 years. She will share an apartment and pay $1,300 a month in rent.

Tuition, year 1: $66,110
UHIP: $948; books: $1,500
Rent: $1,300 × 12 = $15,600
Other living costs: ($755 + $155 transit) × 12 = $10,920
Year 1: about $95,078

With a 4% increase each year, tuition reaches about $74,365 in year 4, and the 4-year total is about $397,000. IRCC’s minimum proof of funds for her is $23,448 + $66,110 = $89,558, so her real budget is higher than the minimum.

Ways to lower your costs

Choose a lower-cost province. International undergraduate tuition averaged $18,867 in Newfoundland and Labrador against $49,802 in Ontario in 2025/2026.
Consider college or a public master’s. See college vs university.
Share housing. A room costs much less than a 1-bedroom. Watch for rental scams before you pay a deposit.
Work part time. You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes and full time in scheduled breaks. Read the student work rules.
Pay tuition smartly. Bank fees and exchange rates add up. Compare options with the tuition payment cost calculator.

Common questions

How much money do I need to study in Canada for one year?

For a study permit, IRCC’s minimum is $23,448 for living costs plus first-year tuition and travel (one person, applications from September 1, 2026, outside Quebec). A realistic budget is often higher: at a large university in Toronto or Vancouver, year one can cost $80,000 to $100,000.

Is health insurance included in tuition?

Usually not. Ontario universities charge UHIP (Queen’s lists $948 for 2026-27). BC charges $75 a month. Alberta has no premium for students with a 12-month permit. Check your school’s fee statement.

How much does tuition go up each year?

It depends on the school. UBC limits increases for new international students to 3% a year. U of T raised its international fees by 4% for 2026-27. Some schools, like McGill, guarantee tuition for the whole program.

Can I pay for my studies by working part time?

Part-time work helps with living costs but rarely covers tuition. You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes, and full time during scheduled breaks.

Does the calculator cover Quebec?

You can enter your own Quebec tuition and costs. Quebec sets its own proof of funds amounts for the CAQ, so the IRCC comparison does not apply there.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Cost of studying in Canada calculator: tuition, living costs, insurance and proof of funds

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