Key takeaways
- 2026/2027 average international undergraduate tuition: $42,062, up 4.0%; Canadian students: $8,021, up 3.2%
- International students now pay about 5.2 times what Canadian undergraduates pay, up from 3.0 times in 2006/2007
- BC, Alberta and Ontario limit yearly tuition increases for resident Canadian students to 2%; BC and Ontario’s limits do not cover most international students
- For 2024-2025, Quebec planned a minimum fee for international bachelor’s and professional master’s students, and schools can charge more
- Some schools limit yearly increases for students already in a program, so ask about a fee guarantee
How much has international tuition gone up?
Statistics Canada (StatCan) puts out average tuition for full-time degree students each September. The table shows Canada-wide averages in current dollars (not adjusted for inflation).
| Year | International undergraduate | Canadian undergraduate | International pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006/2007 | $13,378 | $4,400 | 3.0 times |
| 2011/2012 | $17,668 | $5,313 | 3.3 times |
| 2016/2017 | $23,677 | $6,375 | 3.7 times |
| 2021/2022 | $33,446 | $6,660 | 5.0 times |
| 2024/2025 | $39,974 | $7,485 | 5.3 times |
| 2025/2026 | $40,431 | $7,772 | 5.2 times |
| 2026/2027 | $42,062 | $8,021 | 5.2 times |
Source: StatCan table 37-10-0045-01, as of October 10, 2026. In 10 years (2016/2017 to 2026/2027), the international average rose 78%. The Canadian average rose 26%.
Why some numbers do not match. StatCan updates the year before when it adds a new one. In September 2025 it gave $41,746 for 2025/2026. The current table shows $40,431. This page uses the current table. For averages by province and level, see tuition fees in Canada.
How much did tuition rise in 2026/2027?
Tuition for a first degree went up for these students in each province in 2026/2027. The rise went from 0.3% in Newfoundland and Labrador to 8.6% in Saskatchewan.
| Province | International 2025/2026 | International 2026/2027 | International change | Canadian change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $18,862 | $18,911 | +0.3% | +0.2% |
| Prince Edward Island | $20,765 | $22,067 | +6.3% | +6.2% |
| Nova Scotia | $29,159 | $31,057 | +6.5% | +0.4% |
| New Brunswick | $19,169 | $20,029 | +4.5% | +4.7% |
| Quebec | $35,001 | $36,879 | +5.4% | +3.9% |
| Ontario | $48,572 | $50,088 | +3.1% | +3.6% |
| Manitoba | $21,446 | $23,160 | +8.0% | +4.7% |
| Saskatchewan | $30,851 | $33,496 | +8.6% | +2.9% |
| Alberta | $34,166 | $36,369 | +6.4% | +2.1% |
| British Columbia | $38,797 | $40,314 | +3.9% | +2.6% |
| Canada | $40,431 | $42,062 | +4.0% | +3.2% |
We worked out the percent changes from table 37-10-0045-01. These averages are weighted by the number of students. An average can change even when a school’s fees do not. For example, more students may join costly programs.
Grad school tuition for these students rose 3.6% to $24,693 on average.
Reason 1: provinces cap Canadian fees, not international fees
Each province decides how much schools can raise tuition. In the provinces below, the limits mainly protect Canadian students.
- British Columbia: the Tuition Limit Policy caps yearly increases at 2%. The policy says it does not cover tuition and required fees for international students (page updated June 1, 2023).
- Ontario: the province froze tuition for Ontario residents after a 10% cut in 2019-2020. On February 12, 2026, it set out a new plan. It lets tuition for Canadian students rise by up to 2% a year from Fall 2026, says the University of Toronto. The school notes that this plan does not apply to most international students.
- Alberta: the government limits Canadian tuition increases to 2% a year from 2024-2025, says the University of Alberta.
- Quebec: in March 2024, a government advisory committee on what students can afford described the plan of the Ministry of Higher Education for 2024-2025. It set a minimum fee of $21,236.40 for 30 credits for international students in bachelor’s and professional master’s programs. Schools are free to charge more. This comes from the committee’s advice to the minister, not from the final fee rules. Check your school’s fee page for current amounts.
In BC and Ontario, each school mainly sets its own fees for these students.
Reason 2: schools price international programs on cost and competition
Schools set their own fees for students from abroad, within any rules of the province. The University of Toronto is one public example. Its 2026-27 tuition report says these fees take into account the full cost of a program. They also look at fees at similar schools in Canada and abroad.
For 2026-27, the University of Toronto made these changes:
- Fees for students from abroad in Arts & Science, Architecture and Engineering went up 4% for new and current students.
- The average rise for these students in a first degree, across all programs, is 4.1%.
- For current students, the school’s policy limits increases to 5% a year.
- For 2027-28, it plans another 4% for Arts & Science, Architecture and Engineering. These planned fees can still change.
Other schools follow their own rules. Always check your school’s fee page for your program and year of entry.
Reason 3: fewer international students and tighter budgets
The number of international students fell 29% in two years, StatCan estimates (see international student numbers). Fewer students means less fee income for schools.
For example, the University of Toronto’s 2026-27 budget has $28 million less in tuition income. The school says this comes from new plans for how many students it will take from abroad and from Canada, the freeze for Ontario residents and other changes. Schools respond in different ways. They may cut programs, raise fees or both. This page does not guess what any one school will do.
Can you lock in your tuition?
Some schools promise a limit on increases while you finish your program. This is often called a tuition guarantee or fee commitment. Examples from official school pages, as of October 2026:
| School | What it promises international students | How long |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | Increases of no more than 5% a year for students already in a program | Normal length of the program |
| University of Alberta | A program-based tuition guarantee that sets total program tuition when you start | Standard length of the program plus one year |
A guarantee usually covers tuition only. It may not cover student fees, health insurance or extra years. Ask your school these questions before you accept an offer:
- Is there a fee guarantee or yearly cap for international students?
- What happens if I switch programs or take longer?
- Which fees are not covered?
Other student costs are rising too
Tuition is only part of the bill. Health insurance, rent and food also change every year.
- Health insurance in Ontario: many Ontario universities use the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). For students starting in September 2026, UHIP costs $948 a year for one person, including tax. UHIP says premiums may change each September 1, based on claims and health care costs.
- Living costs: IRCC raises the minimum funds you must show for a study permit from time to time. See study permit proof of funds.
Learn how each province covers students in health insurance for international students.
Worked example: planning for yearly increases
This example shows how yearly increases add up over a 4-year degree. It is an illustration, not a forecast for any school.
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 4 | 4-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| No increase | $42,062 | $42,062 | $168,248 |
| 4% increase each year | $42,062 | $47,314 | $178,615 |
| 5% increase each year | $42,062 | $48,692 | $181,292 |
Year 1 is the 2026/2027 national average. At 4% a year, you would pay about $10,367 more over 4 years than with no increase. Build this into your budget with the cost of studying calculator.
Current tuition by province: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
Common questions
Will international tuition increase again in Canada?
Why do international students pay more than Canadian students?
Which province raised international tuition the most in 2026/2027?
Does BC limit international tuition increases?
What is a tuition guarantee?
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0045-01, Canadian and international tuition fees by level of study
- Statistics Canada: Tuition fees for degree programs, 2026/2027 (September 16, 2026)
- Statistics Canada: Tuition fees for degree programs, 2025/2026 (September 10, 2025)
- Government of British Columbia: Tuition Limit Policy
- Gouvernement du Québec, Comité consultatif sur l’accessibilité financière aux études: Frais de scolarité 2024-2025 (in French)
- University of Toronto: Tuition Fee Schedules for Publicly-Funded Programs 2026-27
- University of Alberta: Tuition increases
- UHIP: How much are UHIP premiums?
- Statistics Canada: Estimating the international student population in Canada, 2025/2026