Domestic tuition: $6,200–$100/yr · Calgary shared housing: $700–$950/person/month · No provincial sales tax · Energy sector co-op wages among Canada's highest
Tuition at University of Calgary
UCalgary charges domestic undergraduate tuition ranging from approximately $6,200/year for Arts, Social Work, and Education to $9,500–$100/year for Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, and the Haskayne School of Business. Science programs range from $7,000–$8,500/year. Law and Medicine have significantly higher fees at upper years.
Alberta's no-PST environment reduces the overall cost of living. UCalgary's Students' Union U-Pass provides unlimited transit access on Calgary Transit — included in ancillary fees ($1,300–$1,700/year).
Cost of Living in Calgary
Calgary is a prosperous city with historically moderate student rental prices, though housing costs have risen since 2022 as Calgary attracted inter-provincial migrants:
- UCalgary residence (Cascade and others): $12,000–$15,500/year with meal plan
- Shared house near campus (NW Calgary): $700–$950/person/month
- 1-bedroom apartment: $1,600–$2,100/month
- Groceries (no PST): $380–$550/month
- Transit: Included in U-Pass
Student Aid Alberta for UCalgary Students
The same SAFA grants and loans available to UAlberta students apply at UCalgary. The Alberta Student Grant for full-time students from families earning under $50,000 can reach $3,500–$5,000/year. UCalgary also administers the President's Admission Scholarship (up to $100 renewable), the Eyes High Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship for graduate students, and various faculty-specific awards.
Energy Sector Co-op Income
UCalgary's proximity to Canada's oil and gas industry gives Engineering and Geoscience students access to exceptional co-op wages. A petroleum engineering co-op student can earn $28–$60/hr, generating $18,000–$38,000 per 16-week term. Even non-energy majors benefit: Calgary's financial sector, tech startups, and government all offer well-paid student work terms.
4-Year Cost Summary — UCalgary
| Category | Per Year | 4 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition + fees | $7,800–$11,500 | $31,200–$46,000 |
| Housing | $10,500–$14,500 | $42,000–$58,000 |
| Food & personal | $6,000–$8,000 | $24,000–$32,000 |
| Total | $24,300–$34,000 | $97,200–$136,000 |
🧮 Annual Cost Calculator (calcStudentUCalgary)
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