Cheapest Canadian universities for international students in 2026

Manitoba's French-language university has the lowest published international undergraduate tuition in the Universities Canada table for 2025-26. Instruction is mainly in French, so it suits applicants who can study in French. Winnipeg living costs sit near the bottom of Canadian cities.

Memorial has one of the lowest international tuition ranges of any English-language research university in Canada. Rents and groceries in St. John's run cheaper than in most Canadian cities of comparable size. Program selection is narrower than at the flagships and the post-graduation job market is smaller.

UPEI is a small public university in Charlottetown with a flat international rate in the 2025-26 table. Living costs are lower than in Toronto or Vancouver, but rental supply on the island is tight, so book housing early.

Brandon focuses on small undergraduate cohorts in arts, science, education, and music. Program selection is limited. As a public university it is a PGWP-eligible institution, and Manitoba graduates can look at the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

Manitoba's flagship has solid engineering, agriculture, and medicine programs. Its arts and humanities rate is far below the $41,746 national average, though professional programs such as engineering and management cost more, so check your own program on the university's fee page. Manitoba PNP's International Education Stream takes graduates with a Manitoba degree and a Manitoba job offer.

Regina housing runs well below Toronto or Vancouver. The University of Regina has serious programs in engineering, business, education, and indigenous studies. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has graduate streams for international students.

McGill is not a low-cost option for most international undergraduates. The 2025-26 range for arts and humanities starts above $31,000, and professional programs cost more. It is listed here because older guides still describe it as cheap.