Private Universities in Canada: Courses, Fees, Rankings & Eligibility

The country of Canada is a federal state comprising different provinces. Over the last few years, the different provincial authorities have granted various private universities in Canada the authority to confer academic degrees.

As of today, Canadian higher education is dominated by public institutions. However, many of the earliest colleges in Canada were private, religious institutions. But how exactly do private universities in Canada differ from public ones? Read on to know.

Private Universities in Canada Vs. Public Universities in Canada

Unlike public universities and colleges that are subsidized by the government, private universities in Canada rely on endowments, tuition fees, and donations to operate. Private universities in Canada also have a smaller student population. That is why the class size also tends to be smaller. However, there is no difference between the two in academic parameters. Public universities in Canada charge different tuition fees for in-state and international students. Conversely, private universities charge the same tuition fees to all students. Moreover, private colleges offer more financial aid options to international students. So, such universities can be economical for Indian students compared to their counterparts. Private universities in Canada deliver numerous courses predominantly in a traditional, face-to-face education format. Besides the four-year undergraduate degrees, postgraduate and doctorate programs are also offered. Read on to know about some of the best private universities and colleges in Canada, their courses, tuition fees, and more.

Best Private Universities in Canada For International Students

1. St. Mary’s University

Founded in 1986 as St. Mary’s College, this university is one of the well-renowned private universities in Canada today. Accredited by the Ministry of Advanced Education, it offers a diverse range of courses and programs in liberal arts, education, and sciences. The university was ranked fourth against 19 universities offering primarily undergraduate courses in Canada in Maclean’s 2022 rankings. Here are some of its sought-after courses.

• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)

Average Tuition Fees: 29,000 CAD/year

2. Trinity Western University

Trinity Western University is among the largest independent Christian liberal arts institutes in Canada. Founded in 1962, it is located in Langley, British Columbia, and enrols approximately 4000 students every year. With over 45 undergraduate and 17 postgraduate courses, this university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. It ranked 170 worldwide in the QS Global World Rankings 2022. Here are some of its popular courses:

• Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Masters of Arts (MA) in Counselling Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

Average Tuition Fees: 22,260 CAD/year

3. Quest University

This private and not-for-profit university is a relatively newer institute. It opened in 2007 with an inaugural class of 73. The curriculum is considered unconventional throughout the country as it uses the block plan. Each student must complete 32 blocks to graduate. Lessons of this university are capped at 20 students and take place in seminar-style. Instead of traditional departments, there are five divisions in this university: Arts & Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences. The institute’s most sought-after course is the Bachelors of Arts and Sciences. It was ranked 7th for the most beautiful campus in Canada by Times Higher Education. Average Tuition Fees: 34,000 CAD/year

4. University of Fredericton

Unlike its counterparts, this private university in Canada is a fully-online institution. It offers diplomas, certificates, and degree programmes to individuals worldwide. Located in New Brunswick, it offers online programmes in various fields. Through its Sandermoen School of Business, the University of Fredericton offers MBA, Master’s certificates, and an Executive MBA. The business programmes of this institute are validated and verified by the Province of New Brunswick in Canada. The University of Fredericton was ranked 25th in Canada by Times Higher Education. Average Tuition Fees: 32,000 CAD/year

5. Concordia University of Edmonton

Located in Alberta, Edmonton, this private university is accredited under the Alberta post-secondary Learning Act. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in arts, management, science, education, and more. While it is primarily funded by private donations, the Concordia University of Edmonton also receives funding from the Alberta government. The university was ranked 77th in the country by UniRank. Average Tuition Fees: 7500 CAD/year

6. Fairleigh Dickinson University

This one is a private, not-for-profit university located in Vancouver, British Columbia. As a leading innovator in global education, FDU seeks new ways to offer unique learning opportunities for learners worldwide. The fact that Vancouver is one of the most scenic and multicultural cities adds to the student’s university experience. It is ranked in the top 50 universities in the north region by US News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2022. The well-known courses offered by this university include:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Master of Administrative Science
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Master of Science in Applied Computer Science

Average Tuition Fees: 27,000 CAD/year

7. Yorkville University

Yorkville University is a renowned private university in the New Brunswick province. It was established in 2003, offering practitioner-oriented degree programmes for a professional career to individuals worldwide. As an international student, you can expect rigorous and accessible learning both on-campus and off-campus. Unlike its counterparts, this institute doesn’t have a traditional campus. The classes take place in a business park setup. The university is ranked 88th in Canada. Here are some of the sought-after courses at this university:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Interior Design
• Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling Psychology

Average Tuition Fees: 20,000 CAD/year

8. University Canada West

University Canada West or UCW was established in 2005 and is located in British Columbia. This innovative, technology-oriented institute is accredited by the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. The university is ranked 73 in the country. These are some of their popular programmes:

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business communication

Average Tuition Fees: 26,500/year CAD

9. Columbia College

This institute is one of the oldest private colleges in the country. Located on the west coast of Vancouver, this liberal arts college offers university transfer courses to individuals of different nationalities. There are about 2100+ students enrolled in this college from over 60 countries. All the courses offered are transferable to universities within and outside the province. In the 2022 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities South, Columbia College was ranked 40. Here are some of the popular courses at Columbia College:

• Associate of Business Administration
• Associate of Psychology
• Associate of Communication

Average Tuition Fees: 16,500 CAD/year

10. The King’s University

It is a private Canadian University located in Edmonton, Alberta, offering bachelor degrees in arts, music, social sciences, business, education, and more. The university is accredited by the Government of Alberta, Universities Canada. All over the world, King’s University is renowned for its award-winning professors and high-tech facilities. It is ranked 84 in Canada by UniRank. Its sought-after courses include:

• Bachelor of Commerce in Business
• Bachelor of Science in Computing Science
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology

Average Tuition Fees: 15,700 CAD/year

Admission Requirements To Study in Private Universities in Canada

Here are some documents that private universities in Canada might ask you to submit during application or admission:

• Statement of Purpose or Letter of Intent
• Bachelor’s degree (for masters or postgraduate programme)
• Certificate of secondary school, 12th grade or its equivalent
• Evidence of financial support
• Official transcripts
• Proof of English proficiency (scores of IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• Letter of Recommendation

Conclusion

Canada has some of the best and affordable private universities in the world. These universities are situated in provinces like Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Individuals can earn undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate level degrees and diplomas by enrolling in their courses. The private universities in Canada mentioned above offer diverse and specialised courses to Canadian and international students. Students can expect smaller class sizes and personalised attention at these institutes. To make your application and admission process easier, we have a team of study abroad experts. Book your free counselling session with LeapScholar today.

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