Tuition and living costs
How much you can expect to pay as an international student in an academic year at Carleton University.
| Living on campus | Cost CAD dollars* |
|---|---|
| Tuition and student fees, Fall 2026** | $39,000 – $55,000 |
| On-campus residence and meal plan – based on double room, includes an All Access meal plan and internet/wifi** | $13,442 |
| Books and supplies – varies according to program | $1,400 |
| Personal expenses (entertainment, clothes, extras) | $3,000 |
| Total | $56,842 – $72,842 |
| Living off campus | Cost CAD dollars* |
|---|---|
| Tuition and student fees, Fall 2026** | $39,000 – $55,000 |
| Off-campus housing – based on shared accommodation, utilities, food, and internet/wifi** (prices vary depending on type of accommodation) | $16,000 – $20,000 |
| Books and supplies – varies according to program | $1,400 |
| Personal expenses (entertainment, clothes, extras) | $3,000 |
| Total | $59,400 – $79,400 |
*Current exchange rates can be found at bankofcanada.ca.
**For Fall 2026 fees by program, check out our calculator. These fees are guaranteed for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years. For Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 fees, please visit Carleton’s Student Accounts Receivable website.
***Based on an 8-month academic year.
Please note that all study permit applications must show that the applicant meets the financial requirements established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which may be higher than the living expenses shown here.
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
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.
Part-time jobs and full-time work placements
Part-time jobs while studying
Most international students studying full-time can:
- Apply for a job on campus at Carleton University
- Apply for a part-time job off campus during the school year (24 hours per week maximum)
- Apply for full-time work during scheduled breaks (such as reading week, summer break)
- Salaries range from minimum wage ($17.60/hour) to about $25/hour, depending on the job
Visit the Go-ISSO website for details.
Paid full-time work placements
Carleton’s extensive co-operative education or “co-op” program allows students to alternate academic terms and work terms during their degree:
- Students get paid, full-time work experience in their field of study, working in world-class organizations like Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, Shopify, KPMG, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte.
- Salaries range from minimum wage ($17.60/hour) to $30/hour, depending on the program. Students usually work 35 to 40 hours per week during a co-op term.
- When you graduate, you could have up to 3 years of real-world experience that employers will love!
Get started in Carleton360 to receive tailored information on our programs, student services and community.