Canada: College tuition increases five percent

Canadian undergraduate college students will pay an additional five percent in tuition over last year, according to Statistics Canada. The agency stated the average tuition bill last year was $5,313, but this year students are paying $5,581.

According to the agency, tuition fees rose in every province with the exceptions of Newfoundland and Labrador, where they haven’t increased since 2003-2004. However, including the increase, tuition fees in Quebec are $2,774, just above the $2,649 charged in Newfoundland and Labrador, while Ontario students paid an average of $7,180 in tuition. The lowest average tuition rates in the country are enjoyed by undergrads in Newfoundland/Labrador and Quebec, while Ontario students pay the highest tuition in Canada as a whole. Dentistry students pay the highest average undergraduate fees at $16,910 while tuition for medical students averages $11,891 and pharmacy students, $10,297. All undergraduate tuitions increased, ranging from 2.7 per cent in agriculture, natural resources and conservation to 6.8 per cent in business, management and public administration. Average tuition fees increased 2 percent in British Columbia and 10.1 per cent in Quebec. Graduate students paid the highest fees in Ontario ($8,041), followed by students in Nova Scotia ($7,613) and British Columbia ($7,593).