Tuition Increases

On this page:

Tuition increases are an important part of ensuring the U of A continues to provide students with world-class, high-quality learning and research opportunities; and in turn, our programs and our graduates will remain not only competitive, but also leaders in their fields.

If approved, part of the proposed tuition increases will be reinvested back into student financial support — whether it’s at the start of your program or during the year, the university can provide you with financial support for your post-secondary needs. 

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate Tuition Model

Graduate Tuition

Graduate Instructional Fees

Tuition Governance

In Alberta, post-secondary education is a shared cost between students, post-secondary institutions, and government. The Government of Alberta regulates most student tuition and fees at 20 institutions across the province via its tuition regulations and the Alberta tuition framework.

Tuition consultations happen annually as part of the U of A’s budget planning, and follow a rigorous process. Any proposed tuition increase must receive approval from the University of Alberta Board of Governors.

Tuition Budget Advisory Committee (TBAC)

The University of Alberta’s official mechanism for consultation with the student councils, as required in the regulation and framework, is the Tuition Budget Advisory Council (TBAC). This committee includes senior administration and the presidents of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and Students’ Union (SU).

2025/26 Proposed Tuition Costs

Proposed increases to tuition costs

The University of Alberta is proposing the following increases to tuition costs:

  • 2% increase for domestic undergraduate students for Fall 2025.
  • 2% increase for domestic graduate students for Fall 2025.
  • 10% increase for new international undergraduate and course-based graduate students except for undergraduate programs in Engineering (4.6% increase) and Master of Business Administration and Executive Master of Business Administration (5% increase) in Fall 2026.
  • There will be no increase to international tuition for thesis-based Master’s and Doctoral programs in Fall 2026. The Advisory Working Group on Thesis-Based Tuition will provide data-informed recommendations for implementation in 2027/28 based on the impact of minimum guaranteed funding and research practices at other institutions.

The 2025/26 cohort tuition for international undergraduate and graduate students was approved in March 2024.

The university will maintain the domestic tuition offset funding for student financial support at its current level of ~$8.5M per year. In light of the 2% tuition cap, which creates a revenue gap for the university, growing the offset is no longer sustainable. The international tuition offset of 8.55% continues, generating an additional ~$795,000 for student financial supports. 

Impacts of Government of Alberta tuition cap 

  • As part of Budget 2023, the Government of Alberta announced plans to limit domestic tuition increases to 2% annually, starting in 2024-25 and continuing for future academic years. 
  • The legislated tuition cap creates a funding gap. The difference between a 2% domestic tuition increase and an increase at the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3.2% creates a $3M revenue gap for the University. 
  • The U of A now has the lowest per-student funding of any major university in western Canada.

Tuition-setting processes

See also: Student Tuition Consultations 2024/25

  • The U of A follows a rigorous tuition-setting process that includes extensive consultation with students. Student engagement and participation are essential to this process.
  • Tuition-setting processes are a shared responsibility between students, post-secondary institutions and government -- and ultimately approved each year during the winter session of the U of A governance process. 
    • In Alberta, post-secondary education is a shared cost between students, post-secondary institutions and government. Through the Alberta Tuition Framework, the Government of Alberta regulates most student tuition and fees at 20 institutions across the province. 
  • The Tuition Budget Advisory Committee (TBAC) is the university’s official mechanism for consultation with students on tuition. With the agreement of student leaders on TBAC, this year’s consultation process included discussions at the Council on Student Affairs (CoSA), the Students’ Union (SU) Council, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Council and the International Students’ Association Council. The consultation process also included three town halls organized by the SU and the GSA and were open to all students.

Comparing U of A’s tuition costs to other post-secondary institutions

  • The U of A is one of the top 5 institutions in Canada, and our programs offer not only a globally recognized degree, but also a wide variety of additional experiences, including co-op and work experience opportunities, research opportunities, as well as a chance to work with, and be mentored by, world-renowned instructors. 
  • In comparison to other U15 universities, the U of A is below the average for tuition costs.
    • International undergraduate, MA and PhD tuition costs are lower than the U15 average (excluding u of A). Domestic undergraduate tuition is slightly below the U15 average (excluding U of A), domestic graduate tuition is lower than the U15 average (35% lower at the masters level, and 2% below at the PhD level). For international PhD tuition, some institutions offer automatic waivers that reduce international PhD tuition to the domestic rate.
  • University of Alberta tuition has not kept pace with inflationary pressures and cost increases in program delivery, partly due to a domestic tuition freeze between 2014-2019, and the current sub-inflationary 2% cap.
  • The proposed tuition increase will allow the U of A to improve the quality of its programs and services while remaining at a tuition rate aligned with other Canadian schools.

International and domestic tuition rates and increases

  • Tuition for domestic and international students are different.
  • The Government of Alberta subsidizes tuition for Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada, whereas international students pay the full cost of their tuition.
  • The U of A's program-based tuition model (introduced in 2020) was designed to provide international students with a guaranteed tuition amount for the duration of their program.

Program-based tuition model for international students

  • In 2019, the University of Alberta moved to a program-based tuition model for incoming international students. Under this model, tuition is assessed based on an annual and total program tuition guarantee. This guarantee means the total cost of program tuition is calculated based on the requirement to complete the program and remains in place for the standard length of the program as defined by the government plus one additional year.
  • While tuition consultations happen annually throughout the fall and winter for the following academic year, the rate for cohort-based tuition for new international students is set one year in advance so we can provide the guarantee at the time of admission. 
  • The 2025/26 cohort tuition was approved in March 2024.

Advocating for increased funding from government

  • Students need to make themselves heard, not just to the university administration but to our largest funder, the Government of Alberta. The Students’ Union and the Graduate Students’ Association are already engaged in those discussions. 
  • Students can also help us understand how we can support them in terms of their experience and affordability, such as how we fund student financial support and what kinds of cost pressures they face. 

What does my tuition cover?

Tuition cost drivers 

  1. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation
  2. A desire to maintain quality of instruction and our academic mission 
  3. Increases in our cost drivers
    1. Salaries and benefits - merit compensation and benefit increases (57% of costs)
    2. Materials and supplies - impacted by CPI increases (18% of costs)
    3. Utilities - impacted by CPI increase and rate of utilities (3% of costs) 
    4. Maintenance (4% of costs)
  4. Gaps in our revenue

In order to submit a balanced budget as required by the government, it is necessary to find a source of revenue to cover expected increases in expenditures.

Expenses covered by tuition 

Tuition covers all expenses related to instruction at the university, including: 

  • Instructor salaries 
  • Creation and maintenance of classrooms 
  • Creation and maintenance of study spaces 
  • Disposable supplies for teaching, activities and labs (materials owned or leased by students are covered by other fees) 
  • Utilities 
  • Research that supports instruction and discovery
  • Libraries 

Tuition goes to fund anything associated with the delivery of programs. This includes financial support for students as well. $23.2M (5.5%) of tuition revenue goes directly to student financial supports (2024-25).

Other revenue streams for the university

  • The university is constantly looking at ways to bring in revenue to help enhance the academic and student experience. This includes research grants, professional certification and building relationships with industry partners and individual donors. In using the proposed additional tuition funds to increase the quality of our programming and services, we believe we will make the university and our programs a more attractive draw to potential donors. 
  • Gifts to faculties and colleges are restricted and allocated for specific purposes. They are not included in the university’s operating budget; as such, they can’t replace government grants and tuition as a source of funding.
  • Through the Shape the Future fundraising campaign, the university is aiming to raise $100 million in funding over three years to support scholarships and bursaries, experiential learning and student spaces. 

Ensuring tuition hikes improve the quality of instruction

  • It’s important to note that tuition increases don't cover inflationary cost increases. 
  • The university is committed to an improved student experience and we're looking within our current available resources to improve teaching and learning, including integrating AI into the classroom and implementing Igniting Purpose: The Student Experience Action Plan which will allow us to focus on allocating resources towards areas of importance to students.

Offsetting tuition increases with cuts to administration

  • Administrative cuts are already happening and have been happening for several years. We've already removed over $160 million worth of administrative costs, yet we're still not covering the cost of our program delivery with a 2% increase for domestic students. 
  • Through a university-wide restructuring, we have taken many services and reimagined them entirely to ensure they cost less and are more sustainable. It was necessary not just because of the budget cuts, but because we want to put as much funding into the academic mission as possible. 
  • We will continue to look at every cost savings possible, making sure students receive the quality education they deserve at the same time as making sure we deliver a balanced budget.

Student Financial Supports

  • Whether students need financial assistance from the start or during the school year, the U of A can provide support for post-secondary financial needs. Learn about finances, funding and support »
  • The U of A awards more than $40 million each year in undergraduate scholarships, awards, and financial support to all kinds of students. View all undergraduate entrance awards »
  • The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research awards approximately $29 million each year to graduate students at the University of Alberta, including approximately $3 million in recruitment and entrance scholarships. View graduate awards opportunities »
  • From awards and scholarships to student loans, bursaries, and emergency funding, U of A advisors can help guide students to the right support through the Student Service Centre.

Government loan funding

  • For information on government loan funding, visit Alberta Student Aid. 
  • If you have applied for and exhausted all available government funding, please take a look at our Finances, Funding and Support website for more information on other sources of funding you may be eligible for, including scholarships and bursaries. 

Communicating financial support information to students

  • Orientation
  • Information made available to professors to include in speaking notes and course syllabi
  • SU/GSA Handbooks
  • Application opening dates for scholarships and bursaries communicated through:
    • Undergraduate Digest 
    • Graduate Digest 
    • International Student Digest
    • Faculty-specific student channels
    • Dean of Students channels as appropriate 
    • YouAlberta newsletter 
  • Finances, funding and support web page launched in 2024 to provide a hub for the U of A’s financial support programs, resources and more.
  • Financial support information shared year-round on the U of A Student Life Instagram account.
  • Council on Student Affairs (CoSA)

Program Impacts

Tuition amounts when changing programs 

  • If you are planning to apply to a different program for future academic years, your tuition and fees will change, and you will be assessed the tuition amounts for the new program you are applying to. 
  • Please make sure to take a look at the Registrar's Costs, Tuition and Fees information to be able to anticipate and plan for the costs of your program (Note: approved tuition increases for 2025/26 will be posted after March 28, 2025).
  • Our advisors at the Student Service Centre can advise you on funding options, including government student loans, scholarships and bursaries, to help with your financial planning.

Refunds on tuition deposits

  • The tuition deposit for undergraduate programs is non-refundable. 
  • Graduate programs do not require tuition deposits. If you have changed your mind and would like to withdraw your acceptance of admission, please contact the department to discuss options. 

Changing programs to one with lower tuition

  • Before deciding to change your program, we invite you to have a conversation with our Student Service Centre advisors for more information on available financial aid options, as we’d like to support you in pursuing the program and career you are most interested in. 
  • Both graduate students who have already been admitted into programs for Fall 2025 and those who have already submitted applications but yet have to hear a decision should contact their departments to explore the possibility and implications of a program change. 

Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees

  • Mandatory Non-instructional Fees (MNIF) are fees that all students must pay for specific goods or services agreed to with the student body that enhance the student experience and student success. 
  • The university has three MNIFS: The Athletics and Recreation fee, the Student Health and Wellness fee, and the Student Academic Support fee. 
  • Many services supported by the mandatory non-instructional fees are offered virtually, providing students with the ability to access them regardless of location. 
  • MNIFs are overseen by a Joint University Student Oversight Committee, with an agreement between the university and student associations that describes how fee increases are managed.
  • MNIFs increase annually by a cost-driver formula, known as the Academic Price Index. The API for Fall 2025 is 3.04%.

On this page: