5 Affordable Schools in Canada for International Students
Affordable schools in Canada can be found beyond major study destinations such as Toronto and Vancouver, and Atlantic Canada gives international students several options to consider when looking for affordable education and career-focused programs.
Atlantic Canada includes New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The region is home to universities and public colleges offering programs across business, technology, engineering, science, arts, healthcare and other fields.
For students concerned about the overall cost of studying in Canada, the five institutions below are worth exploring. The list includes College of the North Atlantic, Mount Saint Vincent University, Mount Allison University, Crandall University and New Brunswick Community College.
Tuition is only one part of the decision. International students should also consider program availability, living costs, Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility, admission requirements and the Canadian study permit process before applying.
Why Consider Atlantic Canada?
Atlantic Canada can provide international students with a different study experience from Canada’s largest metropolitan areas.
Depending on the institution and community, students may find smaller campuses, closer interaction with faculty, practical learning opportunities and access to growing regional labour markets.
There is also an immigration advantage worth understanding.
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) provides a pathway to permanent residence for eligible skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces.
However, graduating in Atlantic Canada does not guarantee permanent residence.
Eligible international graduates need a qualifying job offer from a designated Atlantic Canadian employer and must satisfy the other requirements of the program. Qualifying graduates from recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions can be exempt from the AIP’s work-experience requirement if they meet specific study and residence conditions.
That distinction is important when considering Atlantic Canada as part of a longer-term study plan.
1. College of the North Atlantic
College of the North Atlantic is a public college in Newfoundland and Labrador and is worth considering for students looking for career-focused education in Atlantic Canada.
The current international application fee is:
- Application fee: CAD $100 per program
Programs to Explore
College of the North Atlantic offers programs across several career-focused areas, including:
- Software Development
- Computer Systems and Networking
- Data Analytics
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Architectural Engineering Technology
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Environmental Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Practical Nursing
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Business-related programs
Students should check current availability for their intended intake because not every program is available to international students at every campus or intake.
International applications for Fall 2026 closed on April 30, 2026, although applicants who already have a current and valid permit to study at CNA may still be considered under the college’s stated conditions.
Students applying from outside Canada should therefore check the next available intake rather than assuming September 2026 remains open.
2. Mount Saint Vincent University
Mount Saint Vincent University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
MSVU offers programs across Arts, Science, Business, Education and Professional Studies, making it an option for students looking for a university education in Atlantic Canada.
The current international application fees are:
- Undergraduate: CAD $80
- Graduate: CAD $90
Programs to Explore
International students can consider programs including:
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Public Relations
- Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition
- Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Study
- Communication
- Economics
- Psychology
- Public Policy Studies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Women’s Studies
The university also offers graduate programs across areas such as Education, Communication, Public Relations, Applied Human Nutrition, Child and Youth Study and Family Studies and Gerontology.
Another advantage is access to practical learning in selected programs. Students can explore co-operative education, internships, practica and other forms of work-integrated learning depending on their chosen program.
3. Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University is located in Sackville, New Brunswick.
The university offers undergraduate education across arts, science, commerce and other areas, making it an option for international students who want a smaller university environment in Atlantic Canada.
The application fee is:
- Application fee: CAD $50
Programs to Explore
Mount Allison’s program offerings include areas such as:
- Computer Science
- Economics
- International Relations
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Physics
- Fine Arts
- Commerce
- Aviation
Students in science can also explore research-oriented opportunities, including research projects and honours study.
Mount Allison is also a recognized post-secondary institution under the Atlantic Immigration Program. However, recognition under the AIP does not mean graduation automatically leads to permanent residence. Students must still meet the applicable immigration requirements.
4. Crandall University
Crandall University is located in Moncton, New Brunswick.
The university offers undergraduate programs across business, science, arts and education, giving international students several academic areas to consider.
Programs to Explore
Current undergraduate options include:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts & Science
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Education
Within these degrees, students can explore areas including:
- Accounting
- Economics and Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Biology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Kinesiology
- English
- History
- Communication Arts
Crandall also offers a BBA Co-operative Education option.
Students should check the availability and international admission status of their specific program before applying because eligibility can vary between programs and applicant categories.
5. New Brunswick Community College
New Brunswick Community College, commonly known as NBCC, is another option for students looking for career-focused education in Atlantic Canada.
NBCC has campuses across New Brunswick, including Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, Miramichi, St. Andrews and Woodstock.
The international application fee is:
- Application fee: CAD $100
Programs to Explore
Program availability depends on the campus and intake, but options include areas such as:
- Business
- Information Technology
- Engineering Technology
- Building and Construction
- Skilled Trades
- Health
- Social and Community Services
For example, students can explore programs such as Civil Engineering Technology and Building Engineering Technology, subject to current campus and intake availability.
Students should check the exact program before applying because an NBCC program may be available to international students at one campus or intake but unavailable at another.
What About Permanent Residence After Studying in Atlantic Canada?
The Atlantic Immigration Program covers New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and provides a permanent residence pathway for qualifying international graduates and skilled workers.
College of the North Atlantic, Mount Saint Vincent University, Mount Allison University and New Brunswick Community College are among the recognized post-secondary institutions for the international graduate provisions of the AIP.
Qualifying international graduates can be exempt from the program’s normal work-experience requirement when they satisfy the applicable education and residence conditions.
However, they still need a qualifying job offer from a designated Atlantic employer and must satisfy the remaining AIP requirements.
Students should therefore view the AIP as a potential immigration pathway, not a guaranteed PR route attached to admission.
Are These Schools PGWP Eligible?
All five institutions are Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) and offer programs that can lead to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.
However, PGWP eligibility also depends on the specific program you choose, as not every program offered by a DLI is automatically PGWP eligible.
Before accepting an offer, it is important to confirm that your selected program meets the current PGWP requirements with Sehli Global.
Do You Need a Study Permit?
International students coming to Canada for programs longer than six months will generally need a Canadian study permit.
Admission to one of these institutions is therefore only one part of the process.
Once the required admission documents are available, students can prepare their study permit application with the applicable financial evidence, academic documents, identity documents, PAL or TAL where required, and other supporting information relevant to their circumstances.
Students should also leave enough time between receiving admission and the beginning of their program to complete the immigration process.
How Sehli Global Can Help
Finding an affordable school is important, but you also need to choose a program that fits your academic background, career plans and goals after graduation.
Sehli Global helps you choose a suitable school and program, understand available intakes and admission requirements, check PGWP eligibility and prepare your Canadian study permit application with the required supporting documents.
If you are looking for an affordable school in Canada and need help choosing the right program and preparing your study permit application. Book your consultation here
