Higher education is a valuable dream, but the cost can be a barrier for many. Fortunately, the dream of affordable online degrees in Canada is within reach. Canadian universities are making education more accessible and budget-friendly. If you’re looking for affordable options to pursue your degree while managing your work and life, this blog is your guide to the wealth of opportunities available in Canada. We’ll explore a variety of programs, and universities, and the potential they hold for your educational journey.
Affordable Online Degrees From Universities in Canada
1. MBA Foundation Program
Program Type: Foundation Program
The MBA Foundation program is offered by the University Canada West, Vancouver. It is designed for students who do not have the professional or academic qualifications to directly enter the MBA program. The program is available online and is the first fully Open Educational Resources (OER) program at UCW. The MBA Foundation program includes three courses that cover the following areas:
- Business Communications
- Quantitative Methods
- Principles of Accounting
Tuition fees for this program is $3,871 for both domestic and international students. However, according to the school’s website, the fees will go up to $4,065 respectively. You should also know that the costs for textbooks and other study materials are not included in the tuition fee. Furthermore, there are no scholarships or grants available for online programs in this school.
2. Master of Business Administration
Program Type: Masters
The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is also offered by the University Canada West (UCW), Vancouver and it is among the most affordable online degrees in Canada. Its design provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers. The program is ACBSP and NCMA accredited and is available online.
Also, the program is flexible and convenient for students who are working professionals or have other commitments. This MBA program focuses on enhancing competencies across areas such as leadership, critical thinking, project planning, and a host of further advanced business disciplines. It includes relevant digital components and UCW collaborates with digital leaders such as Riipen, the Digital Marketing Institute, Salesforce (Trailhead), Tableau, and IBM to keep students updated with upcoming technological trends.
Just like with the MBA Foundation program, the tuition fees for this program are the same for both international and domestic students. It costs $19350 excluding books. Its cost is also expected to go up to $20325 by next year.
3. Master of Planning
Program Type: Masters
The School of Planning at the University of Waterloo offers an online Master of Planning (MPlan) degree. The MPlan program is for professionals with experience in planning who want to expand their knowledge of planning, keep up-to-date with recent developments, and obtain a graduate degree for career advancement. The program is open to both domestic and international applicants. The emphasis is on upgrading planning knowledge and skills in new areas and refreshing core concepts. Also, it is a part-time, online, course-based program.
As one of the most affordable online degrees in Canada, the tuition fee for studying MPlan in this school is $5,471 per term. Plus an additional $44.77 as incidental fees.
4. Health Informatics – Public Health and Health Systems (MHI)
Program Type: Masters
If you have a background in public health or health care and you need more knowledge about computer science and health informatics, this program is for you. The Master of Health Informatics is offered by the School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. There are full-time and part-time options, both of which are available online. However, while the full-time option lasts for only 16 months, the part-time study stretches for up to 48 months.
In the same way, while the tuition fees for the full-time study cost up to $11,304 per term, the part-time study costs almost half of that, $5,652. And the extra incidental fees that come with the part-time and full-time options are $47 and $49.82 respectively for each term.
5. Climate Risk Management
Program Type: Graduate Diploma (GDip)
To be admitted into this program, you need to have a four-year honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any humanities, social science, health, engineering, or science discipline. You should have an overall average of at least 75%. This is not only one of the most affordable online degrees in Canada, but also a useful one to have. The program is designed for early to mid-career professionals who must integrate climate risk management into their regular professional duties.
Also offered by the University of Waterloo, the Graduate Diploma in Climate Risk Management is under the Faculty of Environment. It is a coursework program type and is strictly part-time. The tuition fee for this program is $5,471 per term. While the incidental fee is $44.17 per term.
6. Bachelor of Creative Arts
Program Type: Bachelor’s Degree
Yorkville University offers its Bachelor of Creative Arts both on-site and online. The online study is 15 months and covers areas such as creative arts foundations, creative arts business and leadership, creative arts marketing and promotion, creative arts entrepreneurship, and creative arts project management. The program design provides students with advanced business and leadership skills needed to succeed in today’s creative arts industries.
Although its tuition fee is as high as $28,500, a bursary of $7,500 may be available for students. This rate applies to both international and domestic students.
7. Leadership in Social Justice
Program Type: Graduate Certificate in Education (GCE)
The Graduate Certificate in Education (GCE): Leadership in Social Justice is an online program that Yorkville University offers. The program helps leaders become agents of change by teaching them to develop policies and practices that foster equity. Also, Graduates of the program are equipped to be the pioneers, safe-keepers, and advocates of socially responsible and equitable organizational policies as they bring about a cultural shift within their organizations.
The program is 100% online. There are also both full-time and part-time options and you can complete it in as few as 10.5 months. The total cost for this program is $11,700.
8. Ergonomics & Applied Ergonomics
Program Type: Certificate Program & Applied Certificate Program
With this program, you get to receive up to two certifications if you are up for it. Firstly, you can study Ergonomics for 16 weeks and receive a Certificate for that. Then, you can go another 32 weeks and receive an Applied Certificate for Applied Ergonomics. This certificate program is offered by the University of Fredericton, a private online university.
The program equips graduates with ergonomic skills to address Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) issues in their workplace, as well as to instate effective prevention programs to minimize MSD risks. It’s a good option if you are looking for some additional practical skills to add to your portfolio.
This is one of the most affordable online degrees in Canada. You get to study either full-time or part-time at the cost of $1,900 for Ergonomics and $2,850 for Applied Ergonomics. The program includes courses that cover areas such as applied ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, and workplace ergonomics.
9. Integrated Disability Management
Program Type: Certificate Program & Diploma Program
The University of Fredericton offers two online programs in Integrated Disability Management: a Certificate and a Diploma. As the name says, these programs provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to manage disability claims and return-to-work programs effectively. The programs are designed for both full-time and part-time students and can be completed entirely online.
While the certificate program costs $2,308.35, the Diploma costs $6,877.80. They also last for a period of 24 weeks and 18 months respectively.
10. Architectural Technology
Program Type: Post-secondary program
Centennial College offers an online Architectural Technology program that emphasizes energy-efficient, sustainable design and construction strategies, as well as protecting the environment. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to work in the field of architecture. Although the program is majorly online, there is a co-op option available.
The truth about programs at Centennial College is that it favours domestic students more. For this program, while international students pay a total fee of$18,295.34, domestic students pay only $3,151.34.
Final Words
Now, you have the options of different affordable online degrees in Canada to choose from. Keep in mind that the information here is subject to change and the schools can do so without prior information. The universities we’ve discussed and many others are welcoming students from all walks of life. Also, compared to other programs that cost up to $28000 these programs are relatively cheap. So, if you’re searching for a way to make your educational dreams a reality without emptying your wallet, you can start considering the options discussed here.
