MBA in Canada Cost

The MBA in Canada cost changes a lot from school to school. It depends on the university, the type of MBA (Master of Business Administration) you pick, and whether you pay the domestic or the international rate. Full-time, part-time and executive MBAs are all priced differently too.

For international students, the biggest part of the MBA in Canada cost is tuition. Full-time MBA tuition at top Canadian schools sits between CAD 107,300 (₹73.52 lakh) and CAD 144,770 (₹99.20 lakh) for the whole programme. A few lower-cost options start much lower, like Memorial University of Newfoundland at around CAD 36,948 (₹25.32 lakh). On top of tuition, you’ll need money for rent, food and visa fees. From 1 September 2026, a study permit applicant must show at least CAD 23,448 (₹16.07 lakh) for first-year living costs alone.

In this article, you’ll find the average cost of MBA in Canada for international students, school-wise fees for 2026 and 2027 intakes, monthly living costs, lower-cost MBA options, scholarships, extra charges before you fly, and a full sample budget in CAD and INR.

Average Cost of MBA in Canada

The average cost of MBA in Canada has two parts. One is tuition. The other is everything you spend to live there. For the average cost of MBA in Canada for international students, tuition at top schools alone falls between CAD 107,300 (₹73.52 lakh) and CAD 144,770 (₹99.20 lakh).

Living costs come on top of tuition in your MBA in Canada cost. The University of British Columbia estimates around CAD 45,250 (₹31.01 lakh) a year for a student in Vancouver. So the average cost of MBA in Canada for international students at a top school can cross ₹1 crore once rent and food are added.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what goes into your MBA in Canada cost:

Cost Part	What It Covers	Typical Range (CAD)	Typical Range (INR)
Tuition (top schools)	Full programme fee for international students	107,300 to 144,770	₹73.52 lakh to ₹99.20 lakh
Tuition (lower-cost schools)	Full programme fee for international students	36,948 to 82,400	₹25.32 lakh to ₹56.46 lakh
Living costs	Rent, food, utilities, phone, transport	Around 24,000 to 45,250 a year	₹16.44 lakh to ₹31.01 lakh a year
Visa and tests	Study permit, biometrics, GMAT, IELTS	Varies	Varies

Not every school costs the same, and not every student spends the same. These four things move the cost of doing MBA in Canada the most:

• University: Fees vary a lot across the top universities in Canada. Top business schools charge almost three times more than lower-cost ones.
• Programme length: A 12-month MBA means fewer months of rent than a 20-month one.
• City: Vancouver and Toronto cost more to live in than smaller cities.
• Lifestyle: Sharing a flat and cooking at home can save you a good amount each month.

If you’re still deciding on a country, compare options under MBA Abroad before you shortlist.

Suggested Read: Best Countries to Study MBA Abroad

MBA Colleges in Canada with Fees

Tuition makes up most of the average cost of MBA in Canada, and fees for top MBA colleges are very close to each other in some cases and far apart in others. McGill University’s tuition for Fall 2027 is CAD 108,500 (₹74.34 lakh), while Western University’s Ivey MBA costs CAD 136,310 (₹93.40 lakh) for 2027. Programme length also changes a lot, from 12 months to around 20 months.

This table shows the tuition part of the cost of MBA in Canada for international students, school by school. These are tuition figures only, so living costs aren’t included here:

University (School)	Intake	Programme Duration	Tuition Fees (CAD)	Tuition Fees (INR)
University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management)	Latest estimate	20 months	144,770	₹99.20 lakh
Western University (Ivey Business School)	2027	12 months	136,310	₹93.40 lakh
University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business)	2027	16 months	112,758	₹77.26 lakh
McGill University (Desautels Faculty of Management)	Fall 2027	12, 16 or 20 months	108,500	₹74.34 lakh
McMaster University (DeGroote School of Business)	2027/28	Around 20 months	107,300	₹73.52 lakh
University of Alberta (Alberta School of Business)	2026	2 years	82,400 + non-instructional fees	₹56.46 lakh + extra
HEC Montréal	Current	54 credits	64,000	₹43.85 lakh
Memorial University of Newfoundland	Current	2 years	Around 36,948	₹25.32 lakh

A few things in this table are easy to miss. Keep these in mind when you compare:

• Extra fees at Ivey: Western University (Ivey Business School) also asks CAD 2,300 (₹1,57,596) in ancillary fees, CAD 2,700 (₹1,85,004) for case books and CAD 820 (₹56,186) for mandatory health insurance. These extras add to your MBA in Canada cost.
• Co-op at McMaster: McMaster University (DeGroote School of Business) charges CAD 114,200 (₹78.25 lakh) for its Full-Time MBA with Co-op.
• Flexible length at McGill: McGill University (Desautels Faculty of Management) lets you finish in 12, 16 or 20 months. The 20-month route includes a summer internship.
• Fees change every year: Your MBA in Canada cost can shift with each intake, so always check the school’s own fee page before you pay anything.

Cost of Living in Canada for MBA Students

Living costs can add a big chunk to your MBA in Canada cost. The University of British Columbia estimates a yearly budget of around CAD 45,250 (₹31.01 lakh) in Vancouver. A University of Toronto programme page puts Toronto living costs at around CAD 2,000 (₹1,37,040) a month.

Your city, your room and your habits decide most of this number. For a wider city-by-city picture, read our guide on Cost of Living in Canada.

Below, we break this part of the average cost of MBA in Canada into the main things you’ll pay for every month.

Accommodation Costs

Rent is usually the biggest living expense in your MBA in Canada cost. The University of British Columbia estimates CAD 28,000 (₹19.19 lakh) a year for an off-campus one-bedroom flat in Vancouver. That’s more than half of its total living estimate.

Your rent depends on the kind of place you choose. Here’s how the main options usually compare:

• On-campus housing: Easy and close to class, though seats can be limited for graduate students.
• Shared apartment: Splitting rent with one or two flatmates cuts your cost a lot.
• Private one-bedroom: Most comfort and privacy, and also the most expensive choice.

Food and Groceries

Food is the next big part of the average cost of MBA in Canada after rent. The University of British Columbia budgets CAD 14,400 (₹9.87 lakh) a year for food and other personal spending in Vancouver. That works out to CAD 1,200 (₹82,224) a month.

You can bring this down with a few simple habits:

• Cook at home: Eating out every day adds up fast and raises the cost of doing MBA in Canada.
• Shop smart: Buy groceries in bulk and stick to a weekly list.
• Use campus food options: Student cafés are often cheaper than city restaurants.

Transportation, Utilities and Internet

Transport, bills and phone plans are smaller parts of the cost of doing MBA in Canada, but they show up every month. In Vancouver, the University of British Columbia lists CAD 1,600 (₹1,09,632) a year for utilities, internet and heat. A basic mobile plan costs around CAD 350 (₹23,982) a year.

Here’s what these everyday costs look like at different schools:

Expense	Location	Cost (CAD)	Cost (INR)
Utilities, cable TV, internet and heat	Vancouver (University of British Columbia)	1,600 a year	₹1,09,632 a year
Basic mobile plan	Vancouver (University of British Columbia)	350 a year	₹23,982 a year
Public transport (student fare)	Montreal (McGill University)	720 a year	₹49,334 a year
Public transport	Vancouver (University of British Columbia)	Included in student fees through the U-PASS	Included
City bus pass	London, Ontario (Western University)	Included in tuition and fees	Included

Health Insurance and Personal Expenses

Health insurance is mandatory for international students in Canada. The rules and the cost depend on your province. In British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) costs CAD 75 (₹5,139) a month.

This is how insurance and study costs differ by school:

Item	University	Cost (CAD)	Cost (INR)
Medical Services Plan (MSP)	University of British Columbia (Vancouver)	75 a month	₹5,139 a month
Basic cover for the first 3 months (iMED)	University of British Columbia (Vancouver)	205	₹14,047
University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)	Western University (Ivey Business School)	820	₹56,186
Textbooks, course fees and supplies	University of British Columbia (Vancouver)	3,300	₹2,26,116
Textbooks and course materials (budget)	University of Alberta (Alberta School of Business)	At least 2,000 for the programme	At least ₹1,37,040

Personal costs like clothes for the Canadian winter and weekend trips aren’t fixed. Set aside a small monthly buffer so these don’t eat into your rent money. Small extras like these quietly push up your MBA in Canada cost over 16 to 20 months.

Suggested Read: Why Study in Canada

Affordable MBA Colleges in Canada

Lower tuition can cut your cost of doing MBA in Canada by a big margin. Memorial University of Newfoundland charges around CAD 36,948 (₹25.32 lakh) in total for international students. HEC Montréal’s full 54-credit MBA costs CAD 64,000 (₹43.85 lakh).

These three options bring the average cost of MBA in Canada down a lot compared with top-tier fees. Each figure is for the full programme:

University (School)	Programme Duration	Full-Programme Tuition (CAD)	Full-Programme Tuition (INR)
Memorial University of Newfoundland	2 years	Around 36,948	₹25.32 lakh
HEC Montréal	54 credits	64,000	₹43.85 lakh
University of Alberta (Alberta School of Business)	2 years	82,400 + around 2,900 a year in non-instructional fees	₹56.46 lakh + around ₹1,98,708 a year

Cheaper tuition helps, though it’s only one part of the cost of MBA in Canada for international students. Look at these points before you decide:

• Total cost, not just tuition: A 2-year programme means 2 years of rent and food, which raises the average cost of MBA in Canada for international students.
• Quebec rules: HEC Montréal and McGill University are in Quebec. You’ll need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before your study permit.
• Deposits: The University of Alberta asks for a CAD 5,000 (₹3,42,600) non-refundable deposit within four weeks of your offer.
• Test rules: Some schools waive the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). Check MBA in Canada Without GMAT if you want to skip it.
• Fee check: Memorial University of Newfoundland’s figure comes from a third-party listing, so confirm it with the university.

Scholarships and Funding Options for MBA in Canada

Scholarships can bring your MBA in Canada cost down in a real way. McMaster University (DeGroote School of Business) gave out entrance awards averaging CAD 14,000 (₹9.59 lakh) in 2026. HEC Montréal offers international students admission scholarships of up to CAD 15,000 (₹10.28 lakh).

No award is guaranteed, though, so plan your MBA in Canada cost without counting on one. Amounts, rules and deadlines change from school to school. These are the main ways Indian students cover the cost of doing MBA in Canada:

Funding Option	Example	Amount	How It Works
Entrance awards	McMaster University (DeGroote School of Business)	CAD 2,000 to 30,000 (₹1,37,040 to ₹20.56 lakh)	Given automatically to eligible full-time MBA students when they apply
Admission scholarships	HEC Montréal	Up to CAD 15,000 (₹10.28 lakh)	For international students who don’t get a fee exemption
Merit scholarships	University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business)	CAD 20,000 to 60,000 (₹13.70 lakh to ₹41.11 lakh)	Dean’s Entrance Scholarship for students with an offer letter
Entrance awards and bursaries	University of Alberta (Alberta School of Business)	Varies	All admitted MBA students are considered automatically
Education loans	Indian banks and lenders	Varies	Canadian banks usually need PR status or a Canadian co-signer

For a full list of awards, read Scholarships in Canada for MBA. You can also check broader options in Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students.

Is an MBA in Canada Worth the Cost?

An MBA in Canada can be worth the cost, though it depends on your goals. Master’s graduates, including MBA graduates, can get a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if their programme is at least 8 months long. You can also work up to 24 hours a week off campus while you study.

That said, how fast you earn back your MBA in Canada cost depends on your school, your past work experience and the job market when you graduate. No school can promise a fixed salary. These are the factors worth weighing before you commit:

• Work rights after study: The 3-year PGWP gives you time to build Canadian work experience.
• Path to permanent residency: Canadian work experience can help with PR later. Read How to Get PR in Canada to see how it works.
• Earning potential: Look at real pay data for your field in Average Salary in Canada.
• Your total spend: Compare the full cost of doing MBA in Canada with what you’d earn by staying in your job.
• Programme length: A 12-month MBA lowers the average cost of MBA in Canada for international students, since you pay fewer months of rent and get back to earning sooner.

Suggested Read: Canada vs USA to Study

Additional Costs of Studying MBA in Canada

Some parts of the MBA in Canada cost hit before you even land in Canada. The study permit fee is CAD 150 (₹10,278), and biometrics cost another CAD 85 (₹5,824). The GMAT costs USD 275 (₹25,988) at a test centre in India, before 18% GST (Goods and Services Tax).

Not every applicant pays every fee on this list, so your cost of doing MBA in Canada may be lower. Here’s what to plan for, split into one-time and recurring costs:

Cost Item	Type	Amount	Amount (INR)
Study permit application	One-time	CAD 150	₹10,278
Biometrics	One-time	CAD 85	₹5,824
GMAT at a test centre (India, before GST)	One-time	USD 275	₹25,988
GMAT online (India, before GST)	One-time	USD 300	₹28,350
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)	One-time	₹19,000	₹19,000
University of British Columbia application fee	One-time	CAD 166.50	₹11,409
University of British Columbia deposit after an offer	One-time	CAD 5,000	₹3,42,600
McGill University international study trip (airfare extra)	One-time	CAD 3,000	₹2,05,560
Books and study materials	Recurring	Varies by school	Varies
Airfare	One-time	Varies by season and city	Varies

Proof of funds is another big part of the cost of MBA in Canada for international students. Keep these points in mind:

• Living funds: From 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show at least CAD 23,448 (₹16.07 lakh).
• Tuition and travel: This amount is on top of your first-year tuition and return travel.
• Source of funds: Visa officers now check where your money comes from, not just the amount.

For test fee details, see GMAT Exam Fees and IELTS Exam Fees. The full visa process is covered in Student Visa for Canada.

Total Cost of MBA in Canada for Indian Students

Putting everything together shows the real cost of MBA in Canada for international students. For the University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business), the full 16-month programme comes to around CAD 187,786 (₹1.29 crore). Every figure in this MBA in Canada cost sample comes from the university’s own 2027 cost sheet.

This sample assumes the 2027 intake, a 16-month programme and an off-campus one-bedroom flat in Vancouver:

Cost Item	Amount (CAD)	Amount (INR)
Tuition (full programme, 2027 intake)	112,758	₹77.26 lakh
Student fees, building fee, society fee and iMED	4,560	₹3.12 lakh
Global Immersion Experience and admin fee	6,600	₹4.52 lakh
Textbooks, course fees and supplies	3,300	₹2.26 lakh
Living costs for 16 months (CAD 45,250 a year)	60,333	₹41.34 lakh
Study permit and biometrics	235	₹16,102
Estimated total (before airfare and tests)	187,786	₹1.29 crore

Your own cost of doing MBA in Canada will differ from this sample. These choices can move it up or down:

• School: Lower-cost schools like Memorial University of Newfoundland can bring your total far below this.
• Room type: A shared flat can cut the CAD 28,000 (₹19.19 lakh) yearly rent estimate a lot.
• Scholarships: Any award comes straight off your MBA in Canada cost.
• Programme length: A 12-month MBA means four fewer months of living costs than this example.

To plan your own figures, try the upGrad Expense Calculator.

Conclusion

The MBA in Canada cost for international students ranges from around CAD 36,948 (₹25.32 lakh) in tuition at Memorial University of Newfoundland to CAD 144,770 (₹99.20 lakh) at the University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management). Living costs can add CAD 24,000 to 45,250 (₹16.44 lakh to ₹31.01 lakh) a year, depending on your city. So the average cost of MBA in Canada for international students at a top school often crosses ₹1 crore.

The right way to manage your MBA in Canada cost depends on your budget and your career plans. Use this as a quick guide:

• If budget is your top concern: Keep the cost of doing MBA in Canada low with Memorial University of Newfoundland, HEC Montréal or the University of Alberta.
• If you want a top-ranked school: Plan for ₹1 crore or more once living costs are added.
• If you want to save time: A 12-month MBA cuts your rent and gets you working sooner.
• If you need funding: Apply early, since schools like McMaster University give awards at the admission stage.
• If you plan to stay in Canada: Remember that a master’s degree of 8 months or more qualifies for a 3-year PGWP.

If you need help comparing MBA fees, building your budget, applying for scholarships or sorting out your Canada study permit, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’s study abroad experts today! They’ll help you plan every step of your study abroad journey, from shortlisting schools to landing in Canada.