Tuition set for 2022-2023 academic year, remains low compared to other U15 post-secondary institutions

On Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, the University of Calgary’s Board of Governors approved a proposal to increase tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year. The increases are intended to ensure we continue to offer quality programs to our students and to align tuition rates more closely with our U15 peers. Despite these increases, UCalgary’s tuition rates remain lower in many programs compared to other U15 post-secondary institutions across the country.

We held tuition consultation sessions this fall with students and student leaders and are appreciative of the time everyone took to participate. The university has been transparent with our students and the campus community over the last three years regarding our plans to increase tuition in alignment with the Alberta Tuition Framework. We value student feedback and continue to listen closely to our students, and the feedback informed the final proposals.

The decision to increase UCalgary’s tuition and fees is not an easy one to make. However, to help address cuts to our Campus Alberta grant that have totalled $88.6 million since 2019, it has been necessary to work closely across administration, staff, and students to mitigate the impact of the budget reductions.

We have reduced the number of leaders and staffing complements, increased the effectiveness and efficiency of processes, and frozen most administrative salaries for the past six years. Tuition increases are a part of offsetting the government reduction. In addition, we continue to examine and implement new ways to generate revenue.

Provincial tuition regulation

There was a five-year tuition freeze from 2014-15 through 2019-20. At the end of the freeze, the Government of Alberta amended the Tuition and Fees Regulation (TFR) in 2019 to allow domestic tuition to increase by seven per cent in each of the following three years (with no individual program increasing by more than 10 per cent).

We are now in the final year of this three-year window. Tuition increases are necessary to address budget reductions and rebalance public and private investments in post-secondary education as outlined in the provincial government’s Alberta 2030 strategy. The rates approved by the Board of Governors fall within the cap allowed under the TFR. There are no provincially set limits for international student tuition increases.

Bursary options

UCalgary continues to work diligently to provide support for students in need, and to maintain quality student experience. We committed to continuing the tuition reinvestment bursary program and it is available to students who meet the required criteria. More information can be found here. There are also other awards, scholarships, and bursaries available to students that can be accessed here.

Tuition increases

The following tuition fees will take effect starting May 1, 2022:

Tuition increases for domestic students (undergraduate)

• 7%: Most programs including Arts, Business, Engineering, Medicine, Law and Veterinary Medicine
• 10%: Nursing and Education (first year and new)
• 7%: Foreign Trained Lawyer Program

Tuition increases for international students (undergraduate)

• 10%: Most programs including Arts, Business, Engineering, Medicine, Law and Veterinary Medicine
• 10%: Nursing and Education (first year and new)
• 7%: Foreign Trained Lawyer Program

Tuition increases for domestic students (graduate)

• 2%: Thesis-based programs (thesis-based MSc, MA, and PhD), Doctor of Education
• 7%: Most course-based graduate certificates
• 7%: M. Engineering, course-based (three-unit course)
• 2%: Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Design
• 7%: Executive MBA

Tuition increases for international students (graduate)

• 2%: Thesis-based programs (thesis-based MSc, MA, and PhD), Doctor of Education
• 10%: Most course-based graduate certificates
• 56%: M. Engineering, course-based (three-unit course)*
• 2%: Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Design
• 7%: Executive MBA

*for new students starting Spring 2022 or later, 10 per cent for students admitted pre-spring 2022.

General fees (effective May 1, 2022) 

A seven per cent increase to the Student Service and Campus Recreation fees has been approved. There was a four per cent increase to the Athletics fees. The increase to the Student Service Fee equates to a $18.03 increase for full-time undergraduates registered in fall/winter and $36.04 annually for full-time graduate students. The increases to the Campus Recreation and Athletics fees are $2.81 and $2.21 respectively for undergraduates registered in fall/winter and $8.42 and $2.21 for graduate students.

Residence fees increase (effective May 1, 2022)

Residence fee increases range from two per cent to five per cent depending on the building and bedroom type. There will also be a 10 per cent incentive allowance. Residence Services currently consists of 2,824 residence spaces and 250 townhomes across 10 residence communities. They provide accommodations to all students including undergraduate, graduate students and students with families.

Meal plan program fee increase (effective May 1, 2022)

A three per cent increase to meal plans has been approved. The meal plan rates for 2022-2023 do not include uni dollars. All students, regardless of whether they live in residence, are free to add uni dollars to their Unicard accounts for spending at various campus food merchants. In removing mandatory uni dollars in 2021-2022, students have the choice to pay for whatever amount of food funds supports their needs. 

Parking rate increases (effective April 1, 2022)

Student parking permit rates on campus will be increasing by three per cent. The last increase was in 2019-2020. Staff permit rates are not being adjusted as they were increased 10 per cent in 2019-2020. Additionally, Spyhill parking permits for staff and students will increase by three per cent. This rate was previously held for several years. Also, re-entry privileges and 50 per cent off day-rate during exams (for students) in lots 10, 11, and 32 will be permanent programs.