| Updated On - Aug 29, 2024
Canada is renowned for offering affordable yet world-class higher education to international students. Canada has a range of institutes offering education at a much affordable rate than many top universities in countries like the USA or UK. McGill University and Universite de Montreal are the two best universities in Canada with comparatively affordable graduate tuition fee rates.
Some of the top-ranked universities in Canada like Laval University, Simon Fraser University, Dalhousie University and several others offer MS in affordable rates. Indian students can pursue MS courses in the cheapest, well-ranked Canadian universities with annual tuition fees starting from 3,376 CAD (2.10 lakhs INR). However, while searching for affordable education, you should also consider the living expenses along with tuition fees.
Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan are some affordable states in Canada. The average monthly cost of living in these states, including rent and personal expenses, range between 2,237 and 2,502 CAD (1.39 to 1.55 lakhs INR).
Top Affordable Universities in Canada for Masters
Here are some of the top universities in Canada offering masters programs at an affordable rate:
| THE WUR, 2025 | University/College | Location | Annual Masters Tuition Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #251-300 | Laval University | Quebec City, Quebec | 17,257.36 to 21,432.88 |
| #251-300 | Simon Fraser University | Burnaby, British Columbia | 11,401.57 to 22,130.44 |
| #301-350 | Dalhousie University | Halifax, Nova Scotia | 18,629.99 to 47,025 |
| #351-400 | University of Saskatchewan | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | 11,650.50 to 22,500 |
| #351-400 | University of Manitoba | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 6,676.3 to 18,237.12 |
| #401-500 | University of Guelph | Guelph, Ontario | 12,704 to 29,796 |
| #501-600 | Concordia University | Montreal, Quebec | 10,061.3 to 12,861.2 |
| #501-600 | Memorial University of Newfoundland | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador | 6,654 to 15,600 |
| #601-800 | University of New Brunswick | Fredericton, New Brunswick | 3,376 to 14,970 |
| #801-1000 | University of Northern British Columbia | Prince George, British Columbia | 7,746.5 |
| #801-1000 | University of Regina | Regina, Saskatchewan | 14,597.40 to 17,073.90 |
Affordable Universities in Canada by States
Some Canadian states with affordable tuition rates for masters programs are, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Some popular affordable universities in various Canadian states are listed below:
Manitoba
| University/College | Location | Annual Masters Tuition Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Winnipeg | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 16,245 to 20,600 |
| Canadian Mennonite University | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 6,238.75 to 18,000 |
| Université de Saint-Boniface | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| Brandon University | Brandon, Manitoba | 5,151.60 to 6,829.50 |
Nova Scotia
| University/College | Location | Annual Masters Tuition Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton University | Sydney, Nova Scotia | 6,837 to 9,937.5 |
| Mount Saint Vincent University | Halifax, Nova Scotia | 21,085 to 21,537 |
| University Saint Anne | Pointe-de-l'Église, Nova Scotia | 14,425 |
Ontario
| University/College | Location | Annual Masters Tuition Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul University | Ottawa, Ontario | 9,328.48 |
| Dominican University College | Ottawa, Ontario | 21,660 |
| Centennial College | Toronto, Ontario | 15,693 to 21,084 |
Alberta
| University/College | Location | Annual Masters Tuition Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Alberta Institute of Technology | Calgary, Alberta | 9,105 to 14,445 |
| Athabasca University | Athabasca, Alberta | 14,685 to 17,655 |
Other States
| University/College | Location | Annual Masters Tuition Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | 13,540 to 15,065 |
| Royal Roads University | Colwood, British Columbia | 18,344 to 29,321.5 |
Cost of Living in Canada
Some of the popular student cities in Canada, and their respective average living expenses, are as follows:
| City | State | Living Expenses Excluding Rent (in CAD) | Monthly Flat Rent (in CAD) | Total Monthly Cost (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St John's | Newfoundland and Labrador | 1,312 | 924 | 2,237 |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba | 1,209 | 1,109 | 2,318 |
| Moncton | New Brunswick | 1,321 | 1,181 | 2,502 |
| Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 1,254 | 1,261 | 2,515 |
| Charlottetown | Prince Edward Island | 1,286 | 1,249 | 2,534 |
| Montreal | Quebec | 1,161 | 1,433 | 2,594 |
| Halifax | Nova Scotia | 1,255 | 1,663 | 2,919 |
| Calgary | Alberta | 1,376 | 1,546 | 2,922 |
| Vancouver | British Columbia | 1,311 | 2,439 | 3,749 |
| Toronto | Ontario | 1,382 | 2,388 | 3,770 |
A graphical representation of the apartment rent in popular Canadian cities is provided below:
How to Reduce Your Expenses in Canada?
A lot of Indian students on a tight budget move to Canada for higher education. To reduce the expenses during their stay in Canada, the following series of methods can be followed:
- Make a Budget: Firstly, create a budget to manage your income and expenditures statistically. Keep aside some emergency money from your monthly income.
- Apply for Scholarships: You can look for suitable scholarships in Canada, matching with your program and satisfactory eligibility criteria to reduce the financial load.
- Work Part-time: Most of the universities in Canada allow students to work part-time while studying. You can find a job on or off-campus to earn pocket money.
- Live Off Campus/ Shared Flats: Living off campus in shared apartments can reduce a hefty amount from your monthly expenses. However, this is subjective to the on campus residence cost, location of the university, distance between the university campus and the residence, and amenities. While living off-campus, you can enjoy the freedom, peace, and also experience co-living in Canada.
- Cook Food at Home: Although it might feel dull sometimes, but cooking at home instead of eating out or getting ready-made food can financially save you a lot.
- Avail Student Discounts: Sometimes universities offer student discounts on various facilities like bus-pass, groceries, etc. Try to avail as many discounts as possible to reduce your everyday expenses.
- Set Limits on Entertainment: Initially, Indian students might get overwhelmed by the Canadian culture and spend a lot on clubs, parties, and eating out. You should put a strict limit on your monthly entertainment expenses to avoid excess expenditures.
Note: Living off campus comes with a few problems like isolation from peers, the burden of daily commuting, and one time high security deposits. You must consider these factors before choosing residence type in Canada.
FAQs
Ques. Can I study Masters in Canada with low cost?
Ans. Yes, Indian students can pursue masters programs in Canada at a low cost across a range of universities. This includes top universities like Laval University, Simon Fraser University, Dalhousie University, University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, University of Guelph and several others. While selecting affordable universities, you must also consider the location, as living expenses widely vary in Canada across states and cities. Some of the most affordable student cities in Canada are, St John's, Winnipeg, Moncton, Saskatoon, Charlottetown, Montreal, Halifax, and Calgary.
Ques. What is the cheapest school to do Masters in Canada?
Ans. The affordability of Canadian universities depends on the master’s program you choose. However, some top-ranked yet affordable institutes are:
- University of New Brunswick: 3,376 to 14,970 CAD/year
- Memorial University of Newfoundland: 6,654 to 15,600 CAD/year
- University of Northern British Columbia: 7,746.5 CAD/year.
Ques. Is Masters cheaper in Canada or USA?
Ans. While tuition costs depend on the university, Canada can be considered as more affordable than the USA on an overall basis. Master’s programs in Canadian universities start from 3,376 CAD (2.10 lakhs INR) per year. Even top universities in Canada like Memorial University of Newfoundland (THE World Rank: #501-600) offer masters courses to Indian students within a tuition fee range of 6,654 to 15,600 CAD (4.14 to 9.71 lakhs INR) per year. The cost of living in Canada is much lower than in USA, making the overall expenses comparatively budget-friendly for Indian students.
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