Tuition and living costs
How much you can expect to pay as an international student in an academic year at Carleton University.
Fees by program in CAD
| Program | Frozen Program Tuition Fees* | Miscellaneous Fees (estimate)** |
| Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Cognitive Science Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Bachelor of Economics Bachelor of Health Sciences Bachelor of Humanities Bachelor of Mathematics Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Social Work Bachelor of Global and International Studies Bachelor of Journalism Bachelor of Journalism and Humanities Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management | $39,000 | $2,500 |
| Bachelor of Accounting Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of International Business Bachelor of Media Production and Design | $45,000 | $2,500 |
| Bachelor of Architectural Studies Bachelor of Computer Science Bachelor of Cyber Security Bachelor of Data Science Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Industrial Design Bachelor of Information Technology | $55,000 | $2,500 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing with RN Prescribing | $55,000 | $4,300 |
*Per academic year (September-April). Tuition fees are frozen for the next three academic years starting from entry in Fall 2026 through Fall 2028.
For Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 fees, please visit Carleton’s Student Accounts Receivable website.
**Miscellaneous fees are additional mandatory fees that include UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan), UPass city transit pass, on-campus health care services, Athletics pass (gym), program-specific fees, etc. The amount is approximate and subject to change.
Living expenses in CAD
| Living costs | Books and supplies | Personal expenses | |
| On-campus residence and meal plan (8 months) | $13,442 | $1,400 | $3,000 |
| Off-campus housing and meal estimate (8 months)*** | $16,000 | $1,400 | $3,000 |
***Estimate based on shared accommodation, utilities, food, and internet/wifi
Note that personal expenses, books and supplies are estimates and therefore subject to personal choice and preferences.
Use our fee calculator to plan your total budget for the first year of studies, including living expenses, scholarships and awards.
Scholarships for international students
Carleton University has one of the most generous scholarship and bursary programs in Canada.
Automatic Entrance Scholarships
Entrance Scholarships are automatically offered to all high school students who meet our academic and language requirements. The scholarship amount is based on the applicant’s previous academic performance. These merit-based scholarships are renewable each year with an A- standing (annual GPA of 10.0). If the A- standing is not achieved, the original scholarship can still be regained in future years if the required GPA is obtained.
Value: $1,000 – $4,000 a year
President’s Welcome Award for International Students
International undergraduate students applying for September 2026 will be automatically considered for the President’s Welcome Award for International Students, a value of $2,000 – $5,000 CAD, depending on their grades at the time of admission. This award is offered in addition to other Entrance Scholarships. It is available only to international students entering directly from high school and paying international student fees.
Value: $2,000 – $5,000 for the first year only
Prestige Scholarships
Students with an admission average over 90 percent are eligible to apply for one of our Prestige Scholarships, our highest awards. These competitive scholarships are awarded based on both a student’s admission average and participation in community and secondary school activities (leadership, community service, and extracurriculars). The values of the Prestige Scholarships range from $5,000 to $14,178 CAD per year, and they are renewable based on maintaining a minimum A- (10.0 GPA) in full-time studies.
An application is required. Deadline: March 1.
Value: $5,000 – $14,178 a year
NEW! International Students’ Tuition Prize 2026
Admitted international undergraduate students who accept their offer of admission and pay the $2,000 tuition deposit by Wednesday, March 25, 2026, will be automatically nominated for one of three International Students’ Tuition Prizes, valued at $10,000 CAD each!
Three students will be randomly selected as the prize recipients from the nominated group by the first week of April. Each prize recipient will be contacted individually.
Fee and scholarship calculator. Calculate your budget
Use our international tuition and scholarship calculator to plan your annual budget as an international student at Carleton University.
International fees FAQs
Note: Be cautious if working with a study abroad agency to represent you in the admissions process. All fee payments should be made payable to “Carleton University” through our approved payment channels and not to a third party.
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