Private Colleges in Canada: Ranking, Courses & Tuition Fees

Canada is a globally renowned higher education destination offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses to students from all over the world. The courses are offered through both private and public colleges in Canada. A public college is subsidized by the Canadian Government whereas private colleges in Canada depend on tuition fees, endowments, and private donations to cover the operating costs.

Most of the colleges in Canada are public colleges. One of the main differences between both the colleges is that private colleges in Canada have a smaller student population leading to smaller class sizes. Academically, there is no difference between private and public colleges in Canada. Public colleges in Canada charge a lower tuition fee for in-state students as compared to that of out-of-state and international students. Private colleges in Canada, however, charge the same tuition fees for all students and offer more financial aid options to international students. 

Today, Canada has private colleges and universities that are religious in nature. Quest University in British Columbia is the only secular private institution in Canada. Know more about private colleges/ universities in Canada with detailed information on the courses and fee details for international students.

Table of Contents

• Top Private Colleges for International Students in Canada
• Difference Between Public and Private Colleges in Canada

Top Private Colleges for International Students in Canada

Canada houses a limited number of private colleges in the provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Ontario. These colleges do not receive funding from the federal or provincial governments and depend totally on tuition fees to operate. The list of private colleges in Canada for international students is given below:

1. The King’s University
2. St. Mary's University
3. Quest University
4. Trinity Western University
5. Fairleigh Dickinson University
6. Canadian Mennonite University
7. University of Fredericton
8. Yorkville University
9. University Canada West
10. Columbia College

The King’s University

The King’s University is a private Christian university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is ranked #82 by the UniRank Rankings. It offers 650+ courses in the form of undergraduate certificates, diplomas, and degrees in various disciplines such as accounting, business, science, drama, etc. The King’s University is accredited by the Government of Alberta, Universities Canada, and is globally renowned for its world-class and national award-winning professors. Some of the popular courses at the King’s University with their fee details are given below:

• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computing Science: $9,812
• Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com] in Business: $9,812
• Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Psychology: $9,812
• Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com] in Environmental Management: $9,812

St. Mary's University

St. Mary's University is a private university founded in 1986 as St. Mary’s College. It was recognized as St. Mary's University in 2004 and is affiliated with several Christian-Catholic associations. It is also accredited by the Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education. It is ranked #93 by the UniRank Rankings. Some of the popular courses at St. Mary's University with their fee details are given below:

• Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in English: $11,385
• Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Psychology: $11,385
• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc]: $14,862
• Bachelor of Education [B.Ed]: $14,862

Read More: St. Mary's University

Quest University

Quest University is Canada’s first independent liberal arts and science university accredited by the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) under the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education. It is ranked #85 by the UniRank Rankings and also ranks at the top in almost every category in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Some of the popular courses at Quest University with their fee details are given below:

• Bachelor of Arts and Sciences: $26,910

Read More: Quest University

Trinity Western University

Trinity Western University is a Christian liberal arts and science university and is the largest independent Christian liberal arts institution in Canada. It is ranked #61 by the UniRank Rankings. Some of the popular courses at Trinity Western University with their fee details are given below:

• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computing Science: $16,695
• Masters of Business Administration [M.B.A] in Business: $17,100
• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Biotechnology: $16,695
• Master of Arts [M.A] in Counselling Psychology: $15,300

Read More: Trinity Western University

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is a non-profit, nonsectarian university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various disciplines. It is also ranked #64 in the best universities in the North region by U.S. News & World Report Rankings. Some of the popular courses at Fairleigh Dickinson University with their fee details are given below:

• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: $47,719
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: $47,719
• Master of Science in Applied Computer Science (MSACS): $20,700
• Master of Administrative Science (MAS): $20,700

Read More: Fairleigh Dickinson University

Canadian Mennonite University

Canadian Mennonite University is a private university located in one of the most affordable cities in Canada, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is religiously affiliated to Mennonite Church Canada and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba. It is ranked #73 by the UniRank Rankings. Some of the popular courses at Canadian Mennonite University with their fee details are given below:

• Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]: $13,500
• Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A] in Business Management: $8,929
• Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A]: $8,929
• Master of Arts [M.A] in Theological Studies: $5,887

Read More: Canadian Mennonite University

University of Fredericton

The University of Fredericton is a fully-online, degree-granting institution offering certificate, diploma, and degree programs to students from all over the world. Some of the popular courses at the University of Fredericton with their fee details are given below:

• Executive Master of Business Administration: $30,385
• Master of Business Administration: $25,235
• Master’s Certificate: $7,416

Yorkville University

Yorkville University is a private university that provides practitioner-oriented degree programs for a professional career. It offers flexible degree programs with rigorous and accessible learning either on-campus or off-campus (online) or a combination of both mediums. It is ranked #72 by the UniRank Rankings. Some of the popular courses at Yorkville University with their fee details are given below:

• Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A]: $21,075
• Master of Arts [M.A] in Counselling Psychology: $14,437
• Master of Education [M.Ed]: $10,057
• Bachelor of Interior Design: $21,656

Read More: Yorkville University

University Canada West

University Canada West is a private, for-profit, business-based, innovative, technology-oriented university located in British Columbia, Canada. It is accredited by the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, and it has the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) accreditation. It is ranked #81 by the UniRank Rankings. Some of the popular courses at University Canada West with their fee details are given below:

• Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]: $13,162
• Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com]: $13,050
• Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Business Communication: $14,175

Read More: University Canada West

Columbia College

Columbia Collegeis one of Canada’s oldest international private colleges located in the west coast of Vancouver Canada. It is a liberal arts college offering university transfer courses to students belonging to different nationalities. It is ranked #57 in the regional universities south by US News and World Report Rankings. Some of the popular courses at Columbia College with their fee details are given below:

• Associate of Business Administration: $12,307
• Associate of Computer Science: $12,307
• Associate of Psychology: $12,037
• Associate of Communication: $12,307

Read More: Columbia College

Difference Between Public and Private Colleges in Canada

Private and public colleges in Canada are hardly different when it comes to their academics. The courses offered in private colleges in Canada are limited in number and also have less student enrollment. Find below some of the main differences between public and private colleges in Canada:

• Tuition Fees: The tuition fees charged at private colleges in Canada is the same for domestic and international students. Public colleges in Canada charge lower tuition fees for in-state students and the tuition fees are slightly higher for out-of-state and international students. Private colleges can sometimes also be cheaper than public colleges in Canada.
• Financial Aid Options: Private colleges in Canada offer scholarships and grants to students who are academically exceptional. These scholarships cover the cost of tuition, boarding, and study materials. 
• Education: There is no much difference in the education provided at both private and public colleges in Canada. Private colleges are also well staffed and provide well-directed, sophisticated methods of teaching to students. However, due to the small class sizes, there is increased interaction between students and their mentors in private universities that ensures individual attention to students. Public colleges in Canada may not be able to provide focussed teaching time to each student. Students may also not have the flexibility to change the structure of a syllabus based on their interests.
• Class Size: The student population in private colleges in Canada consists of students from all over the country. There is a diverse student community that facilitates interaction between a variety of people from different backgrounds. The total number of students in private colleges is less as compared to a public college leading to smaller class size. On the other hand, students attending public colleges come from the local area as the cost of attending national colleges can become quite expensive. In addition to this, the class sizes in public universities are larger with increased student enrollment at a time. 
• Career Opportunities: Students pursuing studies in private colleges in Canada have an option to work for up to 20 hours per week during the course of their studies. International students may also work full-time during Winter and Spring breaks. Private colleges also have connections with multinational corporations to offer internships and placement opportunities to students. On the other hand, public colleges allow international students to stay and work in Canada after the completion of their studies. Students graduating from public colleges in Canada are often chosen to work for companies in the government sector.

Conclusion

Both public and private colleges in Canada offer quality education to students from all over the world. Public colleges are globally recognized for their heritage and this is one of the reasons for both domestic and international students to pursue courses at public universities in Canada. Private colleges, too, have good reputations and offer unique courses to their students. Private colleges in Canada have well-equipped labs and modern technology and sometimes outpace public colleges when infrastructure and top facilities are taken into consideration. Students pursuing research-based courses prefer private colleges in Canada due to their good-quality infrastructure and latest technological innovations.