17 Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students

35 min read

Cheapest Colleges in Canada

Canada offers a beautiful higher study destination to international students. With rising study abroad costs for students worldwide, international students opt to choose Canadian colleges that offer affordable tuition fees. 

The Cheapest Colleges in Canada are often smaller institutions that emphasize undergraduate education in a broad range of areas. They are different than universities because universities offer a variety of programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Put this way, not all colleges in Canada offer a wide range of subjects, and research options for students are fewer. 

Drum roll, please!

Which are the cheapest colleges in Canada for International Students?

There are more than 1000+ DLI accredited colleges in Canada. Out of all these colleges, we include only those colleges that offer affordable tuition fees for international students. These colleges offer a wide range of programs at their undergraduate level: from engineering to business. 

Here's the complete list of all the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students. 

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students in Alberta 

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students in Alberta

There are 50 colleges and 16 universities in the province of Alberta. Out of the 50 colleges, we include a few that offer the cheapest tuition fees for international students. 

1. Medicine Hat College

Founded in 1965, Medicine Hat College is located in the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta. This college is public, comprehensive and board governed. It is known for its student-centric focus that nurtures innovation and collaboration.  

As a student of Medicine Hat College, you can study in the areas of Arts, Education, Business, Health, Science, the Trades and Technology, including:

  • English for Academic Purposes
  • Administrative Office Management
  • Art & Design
  • Built Environment Engineering Technology
  • Business Administration
  • Criminal Justice
  • Child and Youth Care Counsellor
  • Early Learning and Child Care
  • Environmental Reclamation Technician
  • Information Technology
  • Power Engineering
  • Social Work

Application Fees: $75

Tuition Fees:

  • $12,000 - $22,000 per year for international students.
  • $4,000 - $10,000 per year for domestic students.

English Language Requirements for International Students: 

  • IELTS: 6.0 with no band score below 6.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 79

For students planning to study in MHC Paramedic, Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physical Therapist Assistant, Speech-Language Pathology Programs & UCalgary Nursing Degree:

  • IELTS: 7.0 with no band score below 7.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): 92 with a minimum of 23 in each section

Application deadline: Applications are generally accepted from November to June, for the Fall semester. Please note that the deadlines may differ from program to program. 

If you are looking for competitive tuition fees in Canada, Medicine Hat College must be on your list of the cheapest. For inquiries, email them at info@mhc.ab.ca.

2. Canada College

Founded in 1976, Canada college is located in the heart of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Since its inception, this college has focused on teaching excellence and technical skills. They have helped both domestic and international students. International students from over 160 countries have attended this college, so far. 

Currently, undergraduate students can enroll in the following programs:

  • Database Administration 
  • Business Administration and Commerce 
  • Childhood Education Techniques
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Creation and Integration of Digital Content
  • Digital Marketing

Tuition Fees: The tuition fee for international students is $8,250 per year.

English Language Requirements for International Students:

  • IELTS: A score of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5

Email inquiry can be sent to info@collegecanada.com

3. Herzing College

Herzing College, established in February of 1965, provides career-focused education to both international and domestic students. This College has eight campuses spread around Canada. They are in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Cambridge. 

The types of programs offered vary from campus to campus. Please note that both English and French taught programs are available. 

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for this college range from $7,925 to $9,000 per year for international students. 

English Language Requirements for International Students:

  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5

Due to its low tuition fees, Herzing College makes the list of cheapest colleges in Canada for international students.  

4. Lethbridge College

Lethbridge College, previously known as Lethbridge Community College, was founded in 1957 as the first publicly funded college in Canada. Since its inception, over 4,000 students, both domestic and international, have attended this institution. This college is famous for its rigorous curriculum and student placement. 

Lethbridge College has transfer agreements with the University of Alberta, Athabasca University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge. So, a student can quickly transfer to any of these schools to further their bachelor's degree studies. 

Application Fees: $100

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees range from $12,000 to $25,000 per year for international students. We include this college in our list, not necessarily for the lowest tuition rates, but for its usefulness as a stepping stone for those international students who don't quite qualify to enter a Canadian university. 

English Language Requirements for International Students:

  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0

Application for the Fall semester opens on October 1. 

For any inquiries, you can reach out to admissions@lethbridgecollege.ca.

5. Bow Valley College

Located in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Bow Valley College offers an excellent education at a very affordable cost for domestic and international students. This college, founded in 1965, is a publicly funded college with branch campuses at Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, Strathmore. 

Application Fees: $75 for domestic students and $140 for international students. 

Tuition Fees: 

  • $5,000 - $17,000 for international students
  • $3,000 - $6,000 for domestic students 

English Language Requirements for International Students:

  • IELTS: Overall 6.0 

The application deadline for the Fall semester is in August, for international students. For further inquiries, please reach out to info@bowvalleycollege.ca.

6. Northern Lakes College

Established in 1999, the Northern Lakes College is a publicly funded community college in northern Alberta. It has more than 25 campuses. This college is famous for its small class sizes, professional instructors and affordable tuition fees for international students in Canada.

As an undergraduate student, you can choose any of the following majors:

  • Business Administration
  • Community Liaison
  • Forestry
  • Health Care
  • Office Administration
  • Paramedicine
  • Petroleum
  • Power Engineering
  • Practical Nurse
  • Production Field Operations
  • Rehabilitation Therapy
  • Social Work
  • Teaching

Application Fees: $50

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for international students is around $12,000.

English Language Requirements for International Students:

  • IELTS: Overall 6.0 with no band score less than 6.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): Score of 84

Further inquiries can be made at info@northernlakescollege.ca.

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students in British Columbia 

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students in British Columbia

British Columbia, also known as B.C., is the westernmost province in Canada. It is bordered to the north by Yukon and Northwest territories, on the east by the province of Alberta, on the south by the U.S. and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The capital of B.C. is Victoria, named after Queen Victoria, who ruled the British Empire soon after the official formation of the British Colonies in Canada.

There are 266 DLI approved colleges and universities in British Columbia. Out of all, only three colleges made the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students in the British Columbia list.  

8. Northern Lights College

Established in 1975, Northern Lights College offers excellent education to international and domestic students at a very affordable cost. This college has campus locations in Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, and Tumbler Ridge, along with access centers in Atlin, Dease Lake, and Hudson's Hope.

Application Fees: $100 

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees range from $9,000 - $12,000 per year for international students.

English Language Requirements: 

IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 with no band score less than 6.0. A few programs require 7.0 with a band score of no less than 6.5.

If you have more questions, please reach out to sfaa@nlc.bc.ca.

8. Selkirk College

Located within the beautiful Selkirk Mountains at the confluence of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers, Selkirk College offers an excellent education at an affordable cost to both international and domestic students. It was founded in 1966, the first community college in British Columbia. Currently, it offers more than 60 programs.

Application Fees: $40 for domestic students and $100 for international students.

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees range from $5,000 - $13,000 for international students and $3,000 - $6,000 for domestic students.  

English Language Requirements: 

IELTS: Overall 6.0. Few programs require an overall band score of 6.5 with no band score less than 6.0.

TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 80 to 86.

9. College of New Caledonia

The College of New Caledonia is different from other colleges in Canada because its class size never exceeds 37 students. Interestingly, it's the faculty contract which ensures that there are no more than 37 students in any one class. 

This college, established in 1969, has six campuses in: Prince George, Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Quesnel and Vanderhoof. 

Application Fees:  $40 for domestic students and $125 for international students

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for international students vary from $10,000 - $13,000 per year. 

English Language Requirements for International Students: 

  • IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5
  • TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 80+

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment at recruitment@cnc.bc.ca.

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students in Ontario

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students in Ontario

Located in central Canada, Ontario is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is the most populous and 2nd largest province in Canada. This province is so diverse that almost 25% of the province's population was born outside of Canada.

It is also home to over 50% of Canada's new immigrants. There are 495 DLI approved colleges and universities in Ontario. Out of all, only five colleges make the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students, in Ontario, list. 

10. Conestoga College

Established in 1967, Conestoga College is a public institution located in Kitchener, Ontario. Since its inception, it has served approximately 23,000 students through its Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Ingersoll and Brantford campuses. This college offers more than 200 programs and is one of the fastest-growing public colleges in Ontario. 

Application Fees:  The application fee for international students is $100.00.

Tuition Fees: 

  • $8,000 - $18,000 for international students
  • $4,000 to $9,000 for domestic students

English Language Requirements for International Students: 

IELTS: Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 

TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 88

For further inquiries, please email internationaladmissions@conestogac.on.ca. If you are a domestic student, please email admissions@conestogac.on.ca.

11. Centennial College

Located in Toronto, Ontario, Centennial College is the oldest public college in Ontario. It was established in 1966 and, since then, it has established its reputation by providing exemplary teaching and innovative programming. 

Application Fees: Domestic Student application fee is $95.

Tuition Fees: 

  • $9,000 to $18,000 per year for international students. 
  • $6,000 to $13,000 per year for domestic students.

English Language Requirements for International Students:  

  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 84+ with a minimum of 21 in each section.

12. Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, commonly known as Sheridan College, is a public polytechnic college located in Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1967, the college is famous for its animation and illustration, creative writing, musical theatre, film studies, business and liberal arts studies. It has three campuses in: Oakville, Brampton and Mississauga. 

Application Fees: The application fee for international students is $100. 

Tuition Fees: International students are required to pay $15,000 each year. 

English Language Requirements for International Students: 

  • IELTS: Overall 6.0 with no band less than 5.5
  • TOEFL (iBT): Overall 80 with no section score less than 20.

13. Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

The Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, commonly known as Humber College, is a publicly-funded college in Toronto, Ontario. Since its establishment in 1967, it takes pride in its career-focused curriculum, high rate of student placement and interactive smaller classrooms. Currently, it has 31,200 students and offers more than 200+ full-time programs. 

Application Fees: The application fee for international students is $75. 

Tuition Fees: 

  • $10,000 to $24,000 per year for international students. 
  • $6,000 to $16,000 per year for domestic students.

English Language Requirements for International Students: 

  • IELTS: Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 84 with no section score less than 21.

14. Seneca College

Located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, Seneca College is a  public college that offers baccalaureate, diploma, certification, and graduate-level degrees. This college is also famous for its HELIX, an innovation and entrepreneurship incubator for its students, faculty and community members. 

Application Fees: The application fee for both domestic and international students is $90.

Tuition Fees: 

  • $14,000 -$18,000 per year for international students.
  • $8,000 - $12,000 per year for domestic students

English Language Requirements for International Students:  

  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 with no band score less than 6.0.
  • TOEFL (iBT): Minimum score of 84 with no section score less than 21.

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students - Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students - Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)

Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province in Atlantic Canada. It comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador to the northwest with a 405,212 sq. km total area. Most of the population (almost 92%) lives on the island of Newfoundland. 

There are 8 DLI approved colleges and universities in NL. Out of all, only one college offers 'affordable' tuition fees for international students. That is why it is included in the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students.

15. College of the North Atlantic

With a history that dates back 50 years, the College of the North Atlantic is one of the largest post-secondary education institutions in Atlantic Canada. It is also famous for its low tuition fees for international students. That is why you must include it in your list of the cheapest colleges. 

This college has 17 campuses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and has partnerships with several foreign universities. Currently, it offers 100 full-time programs to more than 25,000 students each year.

Application Fees: $100 for international students and $30 for domestic students

Tuition Fees: 

  • $9,000 - $13,000 per year for international students.
  • $2,500 - $4,000 per year for domestic students.

English Language Requirements for International Students:  

  • IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 79. 

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students on Prince Edward Island  


The province of Prince Edward Island is the smallest in land area and population but the most densely populated province in Canada. It is one of the Maritime Provinces which consist of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. There are nineteen colleges, but only one university on Prince Edward Island. 

Here's the list of cheapest colleges in Canada for international students on Prince Edward Island.

16. Holland College

Holland College is a community college located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This College, established in 1969, has established its reputation for rigorous academics and high student placements. It is also one of the more affordable colleges in Canada.

This college currently has four campuses: Charlottetown, Georgetown Center, Summerside, and Alberton. 

Application Fees: 

  • $100 for international students 
  • $40 for domestic students

If you are planning to apply for the Cadet program, your application fee would be $125.

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for international students are around $8,000 - $10,000 per year. 

English Language Requirements for International Students:  

  • IELTS: Overall 6.5 with no band score less than 6.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 85

The application deadline for the Fall semester of this college is on February 28.

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students

Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students - Nunavut

Nunavut is massive.

Northwest Territories

17. Aurora College

With over 40 years of experience, Aurora College has well-positioned itself to work with Northerners to build a stable and vibrant society in the north. Aurora College has three campuses; one each in Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife. It is the only English language post-secondary institution within the Northwest Territories. Currently, it offers multiple certificates and diploma programs but only two bachelor programs. 

Application Fees: The application fee for international students is $200. 

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees range from $4,000 - $7,000 making it the cheapest college in Canada for international students. 

English Language Requirements for International Students: Not found 

For any email inquiry, please email at info@auroracollege.nt.ca.

Note: Though these documents are for Canadian Study permit application, you can get a gist of possible documents required for your student visa application. Customize these documents based on your own need.
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Cover Letter
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Forwarding Letter
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Student Financial Planning
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Explanation Letter of Source of Fund
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Explanation on previous Visa Rejection
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Source of Fund (For Businessperson as a sponsor)
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