Thinking about study in Canada in 2025? It’s important to know what you’ll actually spend — from tuition and rent to everyday living costs. Prices can vary a lot depending on where you live, and smart choices can save you thousands.
With global inflation, higher living expenses, and new policy changes, planning your finances has never been more important. Canada is still one of the most popular (and affordable) destinations for international students, especially from India — but the key is understanding what things really cost now.
ApplyBoard’s latest report, The Cost of an International Education in Canada in 2025, breaks down the real numbers across provinces. It shows how much tuition and rent differ from place to place — and how picking the right location can make your study abroad dream far more affordable.
Study in Canada 2025: Tuition Fees
Tuition remains the biggest expense for most international students in Canada. For the 2025/26 academic year, costs continued to rise — though the pace has slowed slightly compared to last year.
Undergraduate programs: The average annual tuition for international students has climbed past CAD $41,000, a 4% increase from the previous year.
Postgraduate programs: Average tuition rose by 3%, reaching over CAD $24,000 per year.
In total, that means a four-year undergraduate degree could cost more than CAD $177,000 in tuition alone, while a two-year graduate program may reach nearly CAD $50,000.
The Financial Gap: Ontario vs. Atlantic Provinces
A student’s choice of province can make a huge difference in overall education costs. Ontario — the most popular destination for international students — also happens to be the most expensive, while the Atlantic provinces and the Prairies offer far better value.
Most Expensive: In Ontario, undergraduate tuition is almost 25% higher than in British Columbia, the next costliest province.
Most Affordable: In contrast, provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick offer undergraduate tuition at less than half of Ontario’s average.
Best Value for Postgraduates: Graduate students can find exceptional savings in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador, where tuition fees are less than half the national average.
To put it in perspective, a four-year degree in Newfoundland and Labrador costs around CAD $75,000 in total tuition — compared to nearly CAD $200,000 in Ontario. That’s a potential savings of more than CAD $120,000 just by choosing a different province.
Study in Canada 2025: Rent and Living Expenses
Beyond tuition, rising living expenses—especially housing—have led the Canadian government to increase the proof of funds requirement to CAD $22,895, plus first-year tuition and travel costs. This update aims to ensure international students are financially equipped to handle Canada’s current cost of living.
The change reflects notable rent increases across major cities. For students renting off-campus one-bedroom apartments, costs vary widely depending on location:
Major Urban Centres: Rents in Toronto and Vancouver dipped slightly (about 5% in Q1 2025) thanks to more rental supply, but they remain the priciest places to live. A student completing a four-year degree in Vancouver could spend over CAD $110,000 on rent alone for a one-bedroom apartment.
More Affordable Options: Cities in the Prairies and Atlantic Canada continue to offer much lower rents. Saint John and St. John’s stand out as the most affordable options, with average one-bedroom rents still below CAD $1,300 per month.
Study in Canada 2025: Balancing Cost with Career Opportunity
Despite rising costs, Canada remains one of the top destinations for international students. A recent survey of study abroad counselors showed that 91.4% of students care most about cost, but 87.8% also value post-graduation work opportunities.
“Today’s students are making decisions based on both cost and value,” says Meti Basiri, Co-Founder and CEO of ApplyBoard. “They’re asking not just how much it costs to study in Canada, but what they’ll get in return. A Canadian education offers a strong academic foundation, career-focused programs, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows up to three years of work experience after graduation. For students entering fast-growing fields like tech, healthcare, and business, this work experience often leads to long-term global careers.”
This practical value is shaping student choices:
Health and Sciences: Interest in health programs is growing, especially as Canada faces a shortage of doctors and nurses in the coming decade. On ApplyBoard’s platform, international student searches for Canadian health programs rose by over 4% in 2024, with 17% of Indian students looking at health and science programs, up from 13% in 2023.
In-Demand Careers: Graduates using the PGWP are helping fill gaps in critical sectors like healthcare, technology, and business, where Canada needs more skilled workers than it currently has.
For international students, success depends on smart planning. By comparing tuition across provinces and considering more affordable, high-quality cities in the Atlantic provinces and the Prairies, students can lower costs significantly while building a strong path to a rewarding career.
Source: Moneycontrol
Also Read: Seoul Tops Student-Friendly Cities List, Indian Cities Join
