Studying in Canada can be expensive for international students, but you don’t necessarily need to attend a university with $40,000–$60,000 annual tuition.
Some Canadian universities are significantly more affordable, particularly in provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Manitoba. Statistics Canada reports that Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest average international undergraduate tuition in Canada in 2025/26, at about C$18,867 per year. (www150.statcan.gc.ca)
Below are universities worth considering if your priority is keeping your overall study cost as low as possible.
1. Memorial University of Newfoundland
Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Best for: Overall affordability
Memorial University is one of the first universities international students should investigate when looking for affordable Canadian bachelor’s degrees.
For new international undergraduate students starting in Fall 2026, Memorial lists C$22,500 tuition for two semesters/10 courses at its St. John’s campus. Additional required fees and living expenses apply. (mun.ca)
Estimated tuition
C$22,500/year
This is considerably below Canada’s overall international undergraduate average.
Memorial is especially attractive because Newfoundland and Labrador is one of Canada’s least expensive provinces for international university tuition. (www150.statcan.gc.ca)
Popular areas
- Business
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Science
- Arts
- Marine studies
- Health-related fields
Best choice if: Your main priority is finding a relatively affordable Canadian university with a broad range of programs.
Memorial University — Tuition & Fees
2. Brandon University
Location: Brandon, Manitoba
Best for: Affordable tuition and smaller-city living
Brandon University describes its tuition rates as among the most affordable in Canada. (brandonu.ca)
Unlike universities that publish one simple international tuition number, Brandon calculates tuition based on your courses and faculty, so you should use its official tuition tables to calculate the exact cost for your intended program.
This is important because the cost of a Business degree may differ from Engineering, Science or another program.
Why consider Brandon?
- Lower-cost university environment
- Smaller city
- Variety of undergraduate programs
- International student support
- Potential scholarships
Best choice if: You want to minimize both tuition and potentially living expenses compared with Canada’s biggest cities.
Brandon University — Tuition Information
3. University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
Location: Prince George, British Columbia
Best for: Students who want British Columbia without Vancouver costs
UNBC is located in Prince George rather than expensive Vancouver.
For a typical 30-credit undergraduate year, UNBC’s published figures show international tuition and fees around C$28,065, with books bringing the approximate academic cost to C$29,456. (unbc.ca)
UNBC also estimates on-campus accommodation at around C$5,845 and meal plans at roughly C$5,840–C$6,190, depending on the plan. (unbc.ca)
Why UNBC is interesting
You get:
- British Columbia location
- Smaller university environment
- Lower cost than many major BC universities
- Programs in business, computer science, engineering, sciences and more
- Access to a smaller-city lifestyle
Best choice if: You specifically want British Columbia but want to avoid Vancouver’s cost of living.
UNBC — International Tuition & Fees
4. University of New Brunswick
Location: Fredericton / Saint John, New Brunswick
Best for: Affordable Canadian university + scholarships
New Brunswick is another province worth investigating for international students looking for lower-cost education.
The University of New Brunswick offers international students scholarship opportunities, including entrance scholarships and continuing-student scholarships. (unb.ca)
The actual tuition varies by program, so you should calculate the cost for your specific degree rather than relying on a university-wide average.
Potential advantages
- Scholarships for international students
- Multiple campuses
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Business
- Science
- Arts
Best choice if: You want to combine relatively moderate costs with scholarship opportunities.
University of New Brunswick — International Financial Information
Canada’s Cheapest Provinces for International Students
Statistics Canada’s 2025/26 data provides a useful picture of where international undergraduate tuition tends to be lower. (www150.statcan.gc.ca)
| Province | Average international undergraduate tuition |
|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Newfoundland & Labrador | C$18,867 |
| 🇨🇦 New Brunswick | C$19,278 |
| 🇨🇦 Prince Edward Island | C$21,157 |
| 🇨🇦 Manitoba | C$21,424 |
| 🇨🇦 Nova Scotia | C$29,893 |
| 🇨🇦 Alberta | C$34,880 |
| 🇨🇦 Quebec | C$36,279 |
| 🇨🇦 Saskatchewan | C$33,064 |
| 🇨🇦 British Columbia | C$39,851 |
| 🇨🇦 Ontario | C$49,802 |
These are provincial averages, not guaranteed tuition prices at individual universities. (www150.statcan.gc.ca)
This explains why Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Manitoba are particularly interesting for budget-conscious international students.
Cheapest Doesn’t Always Mean Best
This is an important point.
Suppose University A costs:
C$20,000 tuition
but is located in a city where housing and transportation are expensive.
University B might cost:
C$24,000 tuition
but have significantly cheaper accommodation.
University B could actually be cheaper overall.
Therefore, calculate:
Tuition + housing + food + transportation + insurance + books + other fees
rather than looking only at tuition.
Tuition vs Total Cost
For example, UNBC’s published estimates show how quickly additional expenses add up.
Its approximate international undergraduate academic costs for 30 credits are around C$29,456 including tuition, student fees and books, before adding living costs. (unbc.ca)
That’s why your university comparison should have two columns:
Academic cost
Tuition + mandatory fees + books
Living cost
Accommodation + food + transportation + personal expenses
The second category can make a huge difference.
How to Reduce Your Canadian University Costs
1. Apply for Scholarships
Look for:
- Entrance scholarships
- International student scholarships
- Faculty scholarships
- Merit awards
- Continuing student scholarships
For example, UNB says international students can be considered for scholarships both when entering and during their studies. (unb.ca)
2. Choose a Smaller City
Toronto and Vancouver can be significantly more expensive places to live.
Consider cities such as:
- St. John’s
- Brandon
- Fredericton
- Saint John
- Prince George
Your housing costs may be substantially different.
3. Compare the Exact Program
Don’t assume every program at a university costs the same.
Engineering, computer science, business, arts and other programs can have different tuition structures.
Always check the university’s fee calculator or official program-specific tuition information.
What About Community Colleges?
If your only objective is the lowest possible cost, don’t limit your research to universities.
Canadian colleges can sometimes provide more affordable options, especially for applied programs.
You could consider:
College → work experience → bachelor’s completion
or, depending on your goals and eligibility:
College diploma → employment
However, if your ultimate objective is a bachelor’s degree, carefully check transfer arrangements before enrolling.
Best Affordable Canadian Universities: Quick Ranking
Based primarily on affordability and the official figures available:
🥇 Memorial University
Best overall budget choice
2026 international undergraduate tuition: approximately C$22,500 for two semesters at St. John’s. (mun.ca)
🥈 Brandon University
Best smaller-city/value option
The university specifically describes its tuition as among Canada’s most affordable, with costs varying by program. (brandonu.ca)
🥉 University of New Brunswick
Best for combining affordability with scholarship opportunities
Scholarships are available for eligible international students. (unb.ca)
4. UNBC
Best affordable option in British Columbia
Approximately C$29,456 for tuition, fees and books for a typical 30-credit international undergraduate year, before living expenses. (unbc.ca)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest university in Canada for international students?
Memorial University of Newfoundland is one of the strongest candidates for affordable university study. For new international undergraduates starting in Fall 2026, its St. John’s campus lists C$22,500 tuition for two semesters. (mun.ca)
Which Canadian province is cheapest for international students?
For international undergraduate tuition, Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest provincial average in Statistics Canada’s 2025/26 data, followed by New Brunswick and Manitoba. (www150.statcan.gc.ca)
Is C$20,000 enough for a year in Canada?
Usually not when you include tuition and living expenses together. Your total budget needs to cover tuition, housing, food, transportation, insurance, books and other costs.
Is Canada affordable for Pakistani students?
It can be, particularly if you choose a lower-tuition university and a lower-cost city and receive a scholarship. However, you should calculate your complete first-year budget before applying.
Can international students get scholarships in Canada?
Yes. Universities offer entrance and continuing scholarships to eligible international students. UNB, for example, offers scholarship opportunities for international applicants and continuing students. (unb.ca)
Which is cheaper: Ontario or Newfoundland?
For international undergraduate tuition, Newfoundland and Labrador is substantially cheaper on average. Statistics Canada’s 2025/26 figures were approximately C$18,867 vs. C$49,802. (www150.statcan.gc.ca)
Final Verdict
If your goal is the lowest realistic cost for a Canadian university, start your research with:
1. Memorial University of Newfoundland 🇨🇦
2. Brandon University 🇨🇦
3. University of New Brunswick 🇨🇦
4. University of Northern British Columbia 🇨🇦
But don’t choose based on tuition alone.
The smartest comparison is:
Total yearly cost = tuition + mandatory fees + accommodation + food + transportation + insurance + books
For a 2026 applicant, Memorial University deserves special attention because its current published international undergraduate tuition is C$22,500 for a standard two-semester year, while Newfoundland and Labrador has Canada’s lowest provincial average international undergraduate tuition. (mun.ca)
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