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The honest numbers — tuition, living costs, and the funds you must prove — with no sugar-coating and no scare tactics. Then match to programs that actually fit your budget and keep your path to PR open.
Match programs to my budget — freeIRCC expects you to show tuition, living expenses, and travel as three separate amounts. Here is what each one looks like in 2026.
$15K–$45K+
Per year, depending on level and program.
$15K–$30K
Per year by city. Proof of funds minimum: $23,448.
$1K–$3K
Shown separately from the two amounts above.
Realistic first-year total
CAD $30,000 – $60,000
Higher in Toronto and Vancouver; lower in smaller cities and at public colleges.
Often the most affordable PGWP-eligible route.
Average around CAD $41,700; engineering, business and medicine sit higher.
MBAs and specialised programs can exceed this.
Often partly or fully funded through assistantships.
Ranges are indicative for international students in 2026 and vary widely by institution, province, and program. Always confirm current fees with the school.
Spending less is smart. But the one thing you must not trade away to save money is PGWP eligibility — a cheap program that does not lead to a work permit can cost you the entire path to PR. Match on budget and PGWP status together.
Tell us your budget and what you want to study. We match you to real programs within it — and flag PGWP status on every one, so affordable never means a dead end.
Match programs to my budget — freeThe money questions, answered plainly.
For most international students, a realistic first-year total is CAD $30,000 to $60,000. That breaks down into tuition (roughly $15,000–$45,000 depending on the level and program), living expenses ($15,000–$30,000 depending on the city), plus one-time upfront costs like flights, insurance, and setup. Toronto and Vancouver sit at the higher end.
For study permit applications submitted on or after 1 September 2026, a single applicant must show CAD $23,448 for living expenses for the year — separately from first-year tuition and return-travel costs. Quebec sets its own amounts. This is a minimum for the permit, not a realistic budget; actual living costs are often higher.
College diploma and certificate programs at public colleges are usually the most affordable route that still leads to a Post-Graduation Work Permit, often CAD $15,000–$25,000 per year in tuition. Choosing a smaller city over Toronto or Vancouver can cut living costs by thousands per year. The key is to keep the program PGWP-eligible so the savings do not cost you the pathway to PR.
Most eligible full-time students at a DLI can work a capped number of hours per week off-campus during the academic term, and full-time during scheduled breaks. Part-time earnings help with living costs but should never be counted on to cover tuition or the proof-of-funds requirement — IRCC expects you to arrive already funded.
No. Cost has no direct effect on permanent residence. What matters for PR is whether the program is PGWP-eligible and the Canadian work experience and credentials you build afterward. A cheaper, PGWP-eligible college program can lead to PR just as well as an expensive one — sometimes better, because it leaves you with less debt and the same open work permit.
Keep affordable programs PGWP-eligible.
The other study-permit requirement for 2026.
Where the spending actually leads.
The hub, and a free program match.
General information, not legal or financial advice, reflecting figures current as of September 2026. Costs vary and change — confirm current fees with institutions and current requirements on canada.ca before you act.