University Tuition Cost in Vancouver (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Vancouver, university tuition varies widely by institution, programme and whether you are a domestic or international student. Verified examples show domestic undergraduate tuition can start at about CAD 6,100-6,700 per year at major public universities, while international undergraduate tuition is often much higher, commonly around CAD 30,000-47,000+ per year before student fees, books and living costs.
Overview
University tuition in Vancouver is not a single city-wide price: it depends mainly on the university, the degree level, the faculty and your residency status. The two main public research universities in the city are the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU), and both publish official tuition schedules online. For domestic undergraduates, annual tuition at these institutions is typically in the low-to-mid thousands of Canadian dollars, but specialised programmes can cost more. For international undergraduates, annual tuition is substantially higher and often exceeds CAD 30,000. Most universities in Vancouver charge tuition either by credit or provide annual programme estimates. On top of tuition, students usually pay mandatory student fees, health or extended benefits fees, and may need to budget separately for books, equipment, transport and housing. Graduate tuition can be structured differently from undergraduate tuition, often as programme, term or per-credit fees depending on the course. For a practical budgeting benchmark, a domestic student in Vancouver might expect tuition of roughly CAD 6,000-9,000 per academic year at a public university for a standard undergraduate load, while an international student should usually plan for roughly CAD 30,000-50,000+ per year depending on programme. Always check the exact faculty or programme fee table for the intended year of entry, because tuition commonly changes each academic year.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| UBC Vancouver undergraduate tuition estimate (domestic, first-year BA/BSc-style example)(per academic year) UBC publishes undergraduate tuition by programme and student status; common first-year domestic totals at Vancouver campus are in this approximate range, excluding additional student fees and living costs. | C$6,100 – C$6,700 | Partially verified |
| UBC Vancouver undergraduate tuition estimate (international, first-year BA/BSc-style example)(per academic year) UBC publishes international undergraduate tuition by programme; a common first-year Vancouver campus example is around CAD 47,000 before additional fees. | C$47,000 – C$47,000 | Partially verified |
| SFU undergraduate tuition (domestic)(per unit) SFU publishes standard undergraduate tuition per unit for domestic students; total annual cost depends on the number of units taken. | ~C$215 – C$215 | Estimated range |
| SFU undergraduate tuition (international)(per unit) SFU publishes standard undergraduate tuition per unit for international students; total annual cost depends on the number of units taken. | ~C$1,089 – C$1,089 | Estimated range |
| Typical Vancouver public university undergraduate tuition (domestic)(per academic year) Estimated range based on typical annual tuition at major Vancouver public universities for a standard full-time domestic undergraduate course load. | ~C$6,000 – C$9,000 | Estimated range |
| Typical Vancouver public university undergraduate tuition (international)(per academic year) Estimated range based on published international undergraduate tuition patterns at major Vancouver public universities; specialised programmes may be higher. | ~C$30,000 – C$50,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Tuition usually covers instruction only
- Mandatory student fees are often charged separately
- Books, supplies and accommodation are typically extra
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Most undergraduate bachelor’s degrees in Vancouver are typically 4 years full-time, though annual tuition is usually quoted per academic year or per credit/unit.
How Fees Work
Fees are commonly charged per credit or per unit, with some universities also publishing annual examples or programme estimates. Additional compulsory fees often apply each term or year.
Factors Affecting Price
- Domestic versus international student status
- University and campus
- Faculty or programme, especially professional degrees
- Course load or number of credits/units taken
- Undergraduate versus graduate level
- Mandatory student fees charged on top of tuition
Local Context
In Vancouver, quoted university tuition is generally not presented as a tax-inclusive retail purchase in the way consumer services are, and students should budget separately for compulsory fees, books and especially housing, which is a major part of total study cost in the city. There is also significant variation between institutions and faculties, so the published faculty fee table matters more than the city average.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- University of British Columbia - Undergraduate tuition fees · provider
Official UBC undergraduate tuition information by student status and programme for Vancouver campus examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is university tuition in Vancouver for domestic students?+
For a standard undergraduate course load at a public university, domestic tuition is commonly around CAD 6,000 to CAD 9,000 per academic year, although exact costs depend on the university and programme.
How much do international students pay in Vancouver?+
International undergraduate tuition is much higher and often falls around CAD 30,000 to CAD 50,000 or more per academic year at major public universities in Vancouver.
Is tuition charged yearly or by course?+
Many Vancouver universities charge by credit or unit, then publish annual examples based on a standard full-time course load. Your actual bill depends on how many credits or units you take.
Are student fees included in tuition?+
Usually not. Universities commonly add mandatory student, athletics, transit, health or student society fees on top of tuition.
Do all programmes cost the same?+
No. Arts and science can differ from business, engineering or other specialised degrees, and graduate programmes may have completely different fee structures.
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University of British Columbia / Simon Fraser University
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