Domestic tuition: $7,200–$12,500/yr · Halifax shared housing: $750–$1,050/person/month · Nova Scotia Student Assistance: income-tested · Strong medicine, law, ocean sciences
Tuition at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University charges domestic undergraduate tuition ranging from approximately $7,200/year for Arts and Social Sciences to $11,500–$12,500/year for Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) and the Rowe School of Business. Science programs are approximately $8,000–$9,500/year. Dalhousie's Faculty of Medicine (MDCM) and Schulich School of Law are professional programs with higher fees at upper levels.
Nova Scotia's tuition rates are among the highest in Atlantic Canada — Dalhousie is the province's flagship university and charges accordingly. However, the provincial government offers significant student assistance to partially offset costs.
Cost of Living in Halifax
Halifax has become more expensive in recent years as the city attracts remote workers and interprovincial migrants, but it remains significantly cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver:
- Dal residence (Howe Hall, Risley Hall): $11,500–$15,000/year with meal plan
- Shared house near campus (South End Halifax): $750–$1,000/person/month
- 1-bedroom apartment: $1,600–$2,100/month
- Groceries: $380–$550/month
- Halifax Transit (U-Pass): ~$75/month
- Personal + entertainment: $300–$500/month
Nova Scotia Student Assistance
Nova Scotia students access the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program alongside the federal Canada Student Grant and Loan. The Nova Scotia Bursary provides up to $1,900/year for students from low-income families. Nova Scotia also offers the Nova Scotia Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Professionals — graduates who stay in NS after completing healthcare degrees can have up to 100% of their provincial loan forgiven.
Part-Time Work in Halifax
Halifax's economy is anchored by government (federal naval base, fisheries), healthcare (QEII Health Sciences Centre), tech (IBM, Innovacorp), and education. NS minimum wage is $15.65/hr in 2026. Campus and research jobs pay $17–$24/hr. Halifax's tech sector is growing rapidly and offers paid co-op placements for CS and Engineering students at $20–$40/hr.
4-Year Cost Summary — Dal
| Category | Per Year | 4 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition + fees | $8,500–$13,700 | $34,000–$54,800 |
| Housing | $11,000–$15,000 | $44,000–$60,000 |
| Food & personal | $6,000–$8,500 | $24,000–$34,000 |
| Total | $25,500–$37,200 | $102,000–$148,800 |
🧮 Annual Cost Calculator (calcStudentDal)
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