15 Cheap Universities in Alberta

Are you planning to study in Canada without spending too much money, Cheap Universities in Alberta has some great options for you. There are 15 universities in Alberta. Most of them are affordable. If you choose one of these schools, it can help you save money while still getting a good education. 

So, if you are thinking about studying in Alberta, you should take a look at our list of cheap universities in Alberta. In this article, we will cover the top cheap universities in Alberta. Let’s learn more about them. 

How To Get An Admission in Alberta?

When you are applying to cheaper universities in Alberta, you will need to meet certain requirements. These requirements can vary and depends on the degree you want to pursue and the university you choose. Some common requirements include:

• Fill out admission forms
• Provide proof of language skills
• Get a visa

What Can You Study at Top Cheap Universities in Alberta?

In Alberta, international students can choose from a variety of programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many universities in Canada offer cheap bachelor’s and master’s degrees. For example, at the Alberta University of the Arts, you can study subjects like: 

• Visual Communication Design
• Drawing
• Photography 
• Craft Media (Master’s Degree)

Top 15 Cheap Universities in Alberta

Here are the top cheap universities in Alberta. While doing our research, we made sure to provide the best-updated information. But we will recommend you to cross-check the details with the university’s official website. With that being said, let’s learn more about these universities:

1. Red Deer Polytechnic

At Red Deer Polytechnic, you can learn lots of technical stuff and do research. The name comes from the city – Red Deer. They teach both domestic and international students. 

It used to be called Red Deer College, but in 2021, it became Red Deer Polytechnic. It is the only college in that city. 

• Location: Red Deer
• Acceptance rate: 37%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 15,000 CAD to 27,930 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 5,054 CAD to 7,980 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Dallas Soonias – Volleyball player
  • Tara Veer – Former Red Deer City Councillor
  • Kari Matchett – Canadian actress

2. Burman University

Burman University is a private university in Lacombe, Alberta. It is connected with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Even though it’s private, it still gets money from the Canadian government. 

Because of this, the university sticks to its Christian beliefs while offering a top-notch education. The university has made some great leaders and individuals who want to help others.

• Location: Lacombe
• Acceptance rate: 70%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 15,840 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 15,840 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Dr. Loren Agrey – President of Burman University

3. Concordia University of Edmonton

Concordia University of Edmonton was started as a small college just for men. It was set up by the Lutheran Church in Alberta. But then, they welcomed women too. In 1939, they started offering different types of courses. Later, in 1987, it became a proper university that gives out degrees. 

Even though it is not linked to any religion anymore, its main goal to make a community of good people who care about the world has not changed. They are proud of being a small university where everyone knows each other. 

• Location: Edmonton
• Acceptance rate: 47%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 17,440 CAD to 18,304 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 9,640 CAD to 10,504 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Nathan Fillion – Canadian-American actor
  • Sarah Hoffman – Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
  • Ashley Callingbull – Canadian actress and model

4. Ambrose University

At Ambrose University, you can study and learn about lots of various things. Ambrose University is a special university because it is based on two old colleges that came together: Alliance University College and Nazarene University College. 

It is located in Calgary. These colleges have been around for a long time. At this university, you can study your favorite subjects while also exploring your beliefs. It is like getting the best of both worlds.  

• Location: Calgary
• Acceptance rate: 70%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 19,830 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 13,230 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Cecil R. Paul – Civil Servant

5. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology is a top polytechnic in Canada. It was started in 1962 to train electricians. NAIT has grown into an awesome university.  They offer all kinds of courses. Whether you are into degrees or hands-on skills, NAIT has something for everyone.

• Location: Edmonton
• Acceptance rate: 58%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 20,460 CAD to 24,570 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 6,000 CAD to 8,496 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Bryan Mudryk – Canadian sports commentator
  • Abraham Dukuly – Ghanaian soccer player

6. MacEwan University

In Alberta, MacEwan University started as a community college. It has grown a lot over the years. The goal of the university is to give you a great education.

This approach will help you grow and achieve your goals. MacEwan University is in Edmonton. It is a big city in Alberta. They offer lots of different programs for you to study.

• Location: Edmonton
• Acceptance rate: 59%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 13,662 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 5,760 CAD to 7,860 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Ruth B – Canadian singer-songwriter
  • Damien Atkins – Canadian actor and playwright
  • Briana Buckmaster – Canadian actress and singer

7. University of Calgary

At the University of Calgary, you can do research and come up with new ideas. UCalgary is part of a group called the U15. It is a club for the best universities in Canada. 

At the University of Calgary, the faculty is into helping students start businesses. They even have a special place called a business incubator where you can get the help to start your own business. 

• Location: Calgary
• Acceptance rate: 20%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 22,189 CAD to 30,066 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 6,166 CAD to 7,533 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Kent Hehr – Canadian Politician
  • Stephen J. Harper – Former Prime Minister of Canada
  • Naheed Nenshi – Former Mayor of Calgary

8. Athabasca University

Athabasca University is a  university in Canada. Anyone can study here, no matter how old you are or where you come from. The only rule is that you have to be at least 16 years old to enroll. 

Athabasca University is an online university. This means you can learn from anywhere because they don’t have a physical campus. It is the only university in Canada that is completely online. All their classes are made just for the internet.

• Location: Athabasca
• Acceptance rate: 75%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 13,700 CAD to 19,800 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 5,070 CAD to 10,000 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Ralph Klein – Former Premier of Alberta
  • Christian Farstad – Canadian olympian
  • Deidra Dionne – Canadian freestyle skier

9. Mount Royal University

Mount Royal University is a school in Calgary, Alberta. It started small, with just a few students in a tiny campus called “The Barn.” But now, it has grown a lot. Almost 15,000 students are studying there. They have classes in various subjects at two campuses: Lincoln Park and Springbank. 

Mount Royal University is special because it is built on the land of local communities. They care about respecting local knowledge and people. The university wants to make sure every student gets the help they need to succeed

• Location: Calgary
• Acceptance rate: 34%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 23,110 CAD to 24,900 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 13,700 CAD to 22,360 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Chris Gailus – Canadian news anchor
  • Paul Brandt – Canadian musical artist
  • Bruce McCulloch – Canadian actor and comedian

10. Lethbridge College

Lethbridge College is one of the first community colleges in Canada. It was created because more people were moving to southern Alberta. But there were not many schools there. 

At first, they just had a few classrooms to teach in. But now, they have a big campus. They offer lots of different programs, like diplomas, degrees, certificates, and apprenticeships. Their focus is on learning. You will get to do lots of hands-on stuff. 

• Location: Lethbridge 
• Acceptance rate: 80%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 15,068 CAD to 25,571 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 4,268 CAD to 21,052 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Troy Reeb – Canadian journalist
  • Dustin Molleken – Canadian baseball pitcher
  • Brent Fikowski – Canadian athlete

11. Bow Valley College

At Bow Valley College, you learn practical stuff for work. They have all kinds of programs to teach you the skills you need to get a job. You can learn about business, arts, health, and tech stuff there. 

They want to make sure everyone can get an education, so they have campuses in different places like Airdrie, Banff, Cochrane, and Okotoks. But the main university is located in Calgary.

• Location: Calgary
• Acceptance Rate: 37%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 22,665 CAD to 27,005 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 8,080 CAD to 9,345 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Michal Kovács – Slovak Politician

12. Alberta University of the Arts

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is known for art and design. Earlier, it was called the Alberta College of Art. It was a part of another school called the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. AUArts is one of four universities in Canada that is all about art, craft, and design. 

The university has made a big impact on art not just in Canada, but all over the world. The university wants to change the world through art and design. They have had lots of graduates who have become famous artists and designers, both in Canada and in the world. 

• Location: Calgary 
• Acceptance rate: 65%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 17,100 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 5,130 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Chris Cran – Canadian visual artist
  • Katie Ohe – Sculptor
  • Luke Lindoe – Canadian painter and sculptor

13. King’s University

King’s University is a private Christian university in Edmonton, Alberta. They are all about helping you succeed, both while you are studying and after you graduate. The university offers internships, hands-on learning, and career advice to make sure you are ready for the real world experience. 

Their classes are small, so you can easily get involved and ask questions. That is why they are known for their great teaching and there is a close relationship between students and professors at the university. 

• Location: Edmonton
• Acceptance rate: 78%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 19,702 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 13,702 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • John Keats – English Poet
  • Thomas Hardy – Novelist and Poet
  • Virginia Woolf – English Writer

14. University of Lethbridge

The University of Lethbridge is a research university located in a city called Lethbridge in Southern Alberta. This university is not just about research though, it is also known for encouraging students to talk openly and think critically. 

They believe in fairness. The faculty at this university make sure everyone feels included, especially those who might face challenges. They have even made a special campus in Calgary for people who need flexible learning options, like online classes or evening programs.

• Location: Lethbridge 
• Acceptance rate: 93%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 20,293 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 6,093 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Andrew N. Iwaniuk – Canadian biologist
  • Taylor Kitsch – Canadian actor and model
  • Rachael Thomas – Shadow Minister for Canadian Heritage
  • Gil Cardinal – A Canadian filmmaker

15. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology is located in Calgary. It was started in 1916. SAIT offers all sorts of programs, from certificates to bachelor’s degrees. 

They have four campuses in Calgary. The university offers a place named the Tastemarket, where you can eat and learn at the same time. 

• Location: Calgary
• Acceptance rate: 95%
• International Bachelor’s Tuition: 21,261 CAD to 26,526 CAD
• Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 6,600 CAD to 7,950 CAD
• Notable Alumni:
  • Ted Godwin – Artist
  •  Jason Hale – Canadian Politician
  • Ken Allred – Former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In Canada, lots of students from around the world are choosing to study in Alberta. This is possible because of its great education. Many cheap universities in Alberta offer high-quality education at a reasonable and affordable cost. We worked extremely hard on this article to make sure you get all the relevant information. We hope you will find the best affordable university in Alberta for your higher education.