Key takeaways
- Statistics Canada average for international undergraduates in Ontario, 2026/2027: $50,088 (graduate: $28,900)
- University of Toronto 2026-27: $66,110 for Arts & Science and $72,860 for Engineering, before incidental fees and health insurance
- University of Waterloo: $58,000 (Arts) to $75,000 (Engineering) for first year, including incidental fees
- Conestoga College: $15,477 for two terms of a diploma, tuition only
- Most Ontario universities add UHIP health insurance: Queen’s lists $948 for 2026-27
How much do international students pay in Ontario?
Statistics Canada (StatCan) publishes average tuition for degree programs each September. Its preliminary figures for 2026/2027, released September 16, 2026, show Ontario at the top for international undergraduates.
| Ontario, 2026/2027 | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,306 | $50,088 |
| Graduate | $10,048 | $28,900 |
| Canada-wide undergraduate | $8,021 | $42,062 |
An international undergraduate in Ontario pays about 5.4 times what a Canadian student pays. The Ontario international average rose about 3.1% from 2025/2026. These are averages of tuition only. They do not include compulsory fees, health insurance or living costs. For every province side by side, see tuition fees in Canada by province.
What do Ontario universities charge in 2026-27?
Each school sets its own international fees. These figures come from each school’s official 2026-27 fee page, checked October 10, 2026. They are for one academic year (two terms) of full-time study.
| School and program | International, 2026-27 | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| U of T, Arts & Science (year 1) | $66,110 | Tuition only |
| U of T, Engineering | $72,860 | Tuition only |
| U of T, Kinesiology | $51,460 | Tuition only |
| Waterloo, Arts | $58,000 | Tuition and incidental fees, first year |
| Waterloo, Science | $54,000 | Tuition and incidental fees, first year |
| Waterloo, Engineering | $75,000 | Tuition and incidental fees, first year |
| Queen’s, Arts & Science | $44,809.80 | Tuition only; $47,324.31 with fees and UHIP |
| Queen’s, Engineering | $59,283.74 | Tuition only; $61,867.57 with fees and UHIP |
Waterloo’s figures are estimates for students starting in September 2026, for a full course load. Queen’s charges per unit and lists a full-year total. U of T publishes its schedule through its Governing Council. For engineering only, see engineering tuition compared.
How much cheaper are Ontario colleges?
Public colleges charge far less than universities. Conestoga College, in Kitchener, lists these 2026-27 international fees for two terms:
| Conestoga program type | Tuition, two terms |
|---|---|
| Diploma or certificate | $15,477 |
| Graduate certificate | $16,809 |
| Degree | $16,933 |
These are tuition only. Conestoga says its ancillary fees were pending approval when we checked. They may include health insurance, student activities and e-texts. Conestoga also asks for a $2,500 non-refundable tuition deposit to hold your seat. Conestoga says it refunds tuition, minus a $200 fee, if your study permit is refused and you send proof.
College programs have their own work permit rules. If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024, a college diploma or certificate must be in an eligible field of study to lead to a post-graduation work permit. Compare both routes in college vs university.
Who sets the rules on tuition in Ontario?
The Ontario government sets a fee framework for domestic students. It limits increases for students whose places the province funds. The University of Toronto’s 2026-27 fee report explains that this framework does not apply to most international students. Schools set international fees themselves.
- Ontario residents: tuition was frozen from 2020-21. In February 2026, Ontario announced it would allow up to 2% increases from Fall 2026.
- International students: no provincial cap. U of T raised Arts & Science, Architecture and Engineering fees by 4% for 2026-27, for new and continuing students.
- Planned fees: U of T lists planned 2027-28 fees for information only: $68,750 for Arts & Science and $75,770 for Engineering.
Read why fees keep going up in why tuition is rising.
What costs come on top of Ontario tuition?
- Health insurance. Ontario universities enrol international students in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Queen’s lists $948 for a September 2026 start, $632 for a January start and $316 for a May 2027 start. Colleges use their own plans.
- Incidental and ancillary fees. For its main first-year programs, Queen’s lists about $1,466 to $1,527 for 2026-27, plus a $100 to $110 student activity levy. Queen’s says these ancillary fees include health and dental coverage.
- Upper-year fees. At U of T, Computer Science and Commerce cost more from year 2. Waterloo says accounting and finance programs cost much more in upper years.
- Co-op. Waterloo charges co-op students a fee of $836 per term. The number of times you pay it depends on your program. You do not pay tuition during co-op work terms.
Rent, food and transit in Toronto, Ottawa and Waterloo add a large amount on top of these fees.
Worked example: one year at Queen’s vs two years at Conestoga
Queen’s Computing, year 1 (2026-27):
- Tuition: $54,808.20 (30 units)
- Student activity levy: $100
- Ancillary fees: $1,510.38
- UHIP: $948
- Total listed by Queen’s: $57,366.58
Conestoga diploma, two years: $15,477 × 2 = $30,954 in tuition, if the 2026-27 rate stayed the same. Rates usually rise, and ancillary fees are extra.
So one year of university tuition and fees can cost almost twice as much as two years of college tuition. The right choice depends on your goals, your field and your work permit plans. Budget the full program with the cost of studying calculator.
How many study permits can Ontario support in 2026?
Most new college and undergraduate students need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) to apply for a study permit. For 2026, IRCC gave Ontario the largest share in Canada: 104,780 application spaces, with about 70,074 permits expected to be approved. Ontario then shares its spaces among its schools. Master’s and PhD students at public schools do not need a PAL in 2026. Details are in study permit cap and PAL.
Tuition in other provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
Common questions
How much is tuition for international students in Ontario?
Is Ontario the most expensive province for international students?
Is UHIP included in tuition?
Are Ontario college fees cheaper?
Does Ontario cap international tuition increases?
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0045-01, Canadian and international tuition fees by level of study (2026/2027 preliminary)
- Statistics Canada: Tuition fees for degree programs, 2026/2027 (The Daily, September 16, 2026)
- University of Toronto: Tuition fee schedules for publicly funded programs 2026-27
- University of Waterloo: First-year tuition fees
- Queen’s University: Undergraduate tuition and fees 2026-27
- Conestoga College: International fees and payment
- IRCC: 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap