If you are planning to study nursing in Canada as an international student, understanding the total cost is one of the most important parts of your preparation.
The cost of studying nursing in Canada includes much more than tuition. You also need to budget for accommodation, food, transportation, books, health-related expenses, study-permit costs and travel.
For international students, nursing tuition can vary significantly between schools and programs. Statistics Canada reports a national average international undergraduate tuition of $26,627 for nursing in 2025/2026, although individual institutions can be considerably higher or lower.
If you are a Nigerian student considering nursing in Canada, this guide explains the major costs you should plan for.
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How Much Does It Cost to Study Nursing in Canada?
There is no single tuition fee for nursing programs in Canada.
Your cost depends on:
- The university or college
- The nursing program
- Province and city
- Program length
- Your international-student status
- Mandatory student and ancillary fees
- Books and clinical supplies
As a national reference point, Statistics Canada reported an average international undergraduate nursing tuition of approximately $26,627 per year for 2025/2026. These are national averages, not guaranteed tuition prices for a particular school.
Some universities can charge substantially more. For example, the University of Toronto’s Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing lists 2026/2027 international BScN program tuition of $53,610 for Year 1, before incidental and ancillary fees. Its listed Year 1 total is approximately $57,050 when those fees are included.
This illustrates why international students should always check the current fee schedule of their specific nursing school rather than relying on an average.
Nursing Tuition for International Students
When comparing nursing schools, ask whether the published tuition includes:
- Tuition
- Student fees
- Health insurance
- Ancillary fees
- Laboratory fees
- Clinical fees
- Books and supplies
Some costs may appear separately on your student account.
For example, the University of Toronto’s published BScN figures separate program, incidental and ancillary fees.
A Simple Tuition Budget
As a general planning exercise, an international nursing student might encounter tuition ranging from the mid-$20,000s to $50,000+ per year, depending on the institution and program.
This is a planning range rather than a universal Canadian tuition rate. Always use the school’s official tuition assessment when calculating your actual budget.
Cost of Living for Nursing Students in Canada
Tuition is only one part of your budget.
You will also need money for:
Accommodation
Your housing costs depend heavily on the city and whether you:
- Rent a room
- Share an apartment
- Live alone
- Live in student housing
- Live with family
Large Canadian cities can be considerably more expensive than smaller communities.
Food
Budget for groceries, meals and other household expenses.
Preparing your own meals can help control your monthly spending.
Transportation
Your transportation costs may include:
- Public transit
- Student transportation passes
- Occasional taxis or ride-sharing
- Travel to clinical placements
Clinical placements can sometimes require transportation to locations away from your main campus, so consider this when choosing a school.
Books and Nursing Supplies
Nursing students may need to purchase:
- Textbooks
- Scrubs
- Shoes
- Clinical equipment
- Stethoscope
- Computer or other technology
- Other program-specific supplies
The exact requirements depend on your institution.
How Much Money Must International Students Show for a Canadian Study Permit?
This is particularly important when calculating your budget.
For study-permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single student studying outside Quebec must demonstrate CAN$23,448 for first-year living expenses, excluding tuition and transportation.
Therefore, you should not interpret the $23,448 figure as the total amount needed to study nursing in Canada.
You need to account separately for:
Tuition + living expenses + transportation.
For example, if your nursing tuition were $30,000 and you were a single student outside Quebec, the basic first-year calculation would include:
- Tuition: $30,000
- Required living-expense amount: $23,448
- Transportation: additional amount
That means your financial planning would need to cover more than $53,448, before considering the cost of your flight and other expenses.
The actual amount you need will depend on your school’s tuition and your personal circumstances.
Canadian Study Permit Costs
In addition to tuition and living expenses, international students need to budget for immigration-related costs.
The current Canadian study permit fee is CAN$150.
You may also need to pay a biometrics fee if biometrics are required for your application.
Other costs can include:
- Medical examination, if required
- Police certificates, if required
- Document translation
- Passport-related expenses
- Travel to a biometrics collection location
- Airfare to Canada
These costs vary depending on your circumstances.
Example First-Year Nursing Budget
Consider a hypothetical international student studying nursing outside Quebec:
| Expense | Example Budget |
|---|---|
| Nursing tuition | $30,000 |
| Required living funds | $23,448 |
| Study permit | $150 |
| Transportation to Canada | Additional |
| Books and supplies | Additional |
| Health/insurance costs | Additional |
| Accommodation deposits | Additional |
This is not a quotation from a particular school. It is an example showing why students should budget for more than tuition alone.
Your school’s actual tuition and your personal living costs should be used when preparing your financial plan.
What Does It Cost to Study Nursing in Toronto?
Toronto is home to several major educational institutions, but studying there can require a significant budget.
For example, the University of Toronto’s 2026/2027 international BScN Year 1 total is listed at approximately $57,050, including its published incidental and ancillary fees.
Students also need to budget separately for accommodation, food, transportation, books and other living expenses.
This is why comparing only tuition prices can be misleading.
What Does It Cost to Study Nursing in Other Canadian Cities?
Costs can differ considerably between cities.
Before choosing a school, compare:
- Tuition
- Rent
- Food
- Transportation
- Student fees
- Clinical-placement transportation
- Books and supplies
- Health-related expenses
A school with lower tuition is not necessarily cheaper overall if accommodation and other living expenses are substantially higher.
Can You Work While Studying Nursing in Canada?
Eligible international students may be able to work while studying, subject to the conditions of their study permit and the applicable immigration rules.
However, you should not build your initial study-permit financial plan around future Canadian employment.
IRCC specifically requires students to prove they have sufficient money without working in Canada to cover tuition, living expenses and transportation.
Employment income can potentially become part of your financial situation after you arrive, but you should have an adequate financial plan before travelling to Canada.
How Can International Students Reduce the Cost of Nursing School?
There are several ways to manage your expenses.
Choose Your City Carefully
Compare total living costs rather than tuition alone.
Compare Multiple Schools
Don’t apply to only one nursing school. Compare tuition, program structure and other costs.
Look for Scholarships
Check the university’s international-student scholarship opportunities before applying.
Share Accommodation
Sharing accommodation can significantly reduce housing expenses compared with renting alone.
Prepare a Realistic Monthly Budget
Track:
- Rent
- Food
- Transportation
- Phone
- Internet
- Personal expenses
- School supplies
Plan for the Full Program
IRCC requires students in programs longer than one year to explain how they intend to pay for the full duration of their studies.
Don’t plan financially for only the first semester.
Cost of Nursing in Canada for Nigerian Students
For Nigerian students, the Canadian dollar-to-naira exchange rate can make tuition and living expenses appear particularly significant.
When calculating your budget, don’t convert the cost only once. Exchange rates change, and your Canadian expenses will ultimately be paid in Canadian dollars.
A Nigerian student should therefore prepare a Canadian-dollar budget covering:
- First-year tuition
- Living expenses
- Transportation
- Study-permit costs
- Books and nursing supplies
- Emergency funds
Your financial documents should also clearly demonstrate the source of your funds. IRCC says applicants can use documents such as bank statements, education loans, scholarships and evidence of financial support, depending on their circumstances.
Is Nursing in Canada Worth the Cost?
For the right student, nursing can be a valuable Canadian education pathway.
However, you should consider the complete cost before accepting an offer.
Ask yourself:
- Can I afford the tuition?
- Can I cover my living expenses?
- Do I have funding for the entire program?
- Does the program fit my career goals?
- Is the program appropriate for international students?
- Have I checked the current professional-registration requirements?
- Have I investigated the applicable post-graduation work-permit rules?
Making these checks before paying tuition can help you avoid expensive mistakes.
Final Thoughts
The cost of studying nursing in Canada for international students depends on the school, program and location.
As a national reference point, Statistics Canada reported average international undergraduate nursing tuition of about $26,627 for 2025/2026, but individual schools can charge considerably more.
For example, the University of Toronto lists approximately $57,050 in total Year 1 BScN tuition and listed fees for international students for 2026/2027.
In addition to tuition, students must budget for accommodation, food, transportation, supplies and immigration expenses. For study-permit applications submitted from September 1, 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show $23,448 for living expenses, separate from tuition and transportation.
The best approach is to compare several nursing programs and calculate your total cost of study, rather than looking at tuition alone.
If you are ready to explore your options for studying in Canada, take the next step with Canadian Vocational Institute.
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