Whether seeking more affordable options or less politicized campuses, U.S. families are increasingly exploring universities abroad, and neighbor nation Canada is experiencing a burst of interest: the University of British Columbia, for example, saw a 20% jump in campus tour registrations from U.S. high school students in just one month. Since Canadian universities more closely resemble UK institutions than U.S. ones, they present distinct differences both in the application process and the educational experiences they offer. For business-oriented students, in particular, strong Canadian programs can offer attractive alternatives to the hyper-competitive, and pricy U.S. undergraduate business schools.
CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES: MORE AFFORDABLE?
Canadian universities are typically less expensive, even taking into account international tuition and fees. For a U.S. student at the University of Toronto in 2025-26, for example, tuition and fees are $62,950, with room and board costs varying based on residence hall ($14,395 – $26,221). The same student attending Cornell would be billed $72,270 for tuition and fees and $20,574 for room and board. Sticker price, though, does not tell the whole story. U.S. institutions offer more financial aid options and some provide merit scholarships, which may result in a discounted rate for some families.
Bottom line: Compare costs in the context of your family’s finances and location (will more expensive airfares eat into any potential savings?).
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HOLISTIC REVIEW VS TRANSCRIPT REVIEW
What makes U.S. colleges and universities attractive to many overseas applicants is also what makes their application processes more complex and confusing. Drawing on the Greek tradition of teaching students both knowledge and intellectual skills, the earliest New England colleges embraced a liberal arts ideal and the notion of producing citizens of the young republic who were both intellectually and civically prepared for the future. In practical terms, over time this ideal was expressed through college classes that employed both lecture and discussion as teaching methods and curricula that required some breadth of study (typically math, science, the arts and humanities), rather than a focus on a single subject. Too, U.S. colleges and even public universities evolved to encompass rich residential life, with athletics, arts performances, clubs, and recreation offered as significant features of the undergraduate experience.
While many students are drawn to this potentially more engaging way of learning and living and the greater choice of subjects in their early years of study, the process of selecting students who will be successful and happy at U.S. institutions has expanded beyond a review of academic records to a process known as “holistic review.” Admission to selective U.S. colleges today typically requires transcripts, test scores, lists of extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and multiple essays about both academic and non-academic topics, while factors that can enhance an application include campus visits, interviews, athletic talent, legacy status, or a history of giving to the institution.
Conversely, Canadian universities like McGill focus on applicants’ academic preparation, requiring only transcripts and test scores for admission consideration. Ratcheting down the stress, minimum GPAs and test score information is available, so applicants can assess their competitiveness in advance. For students with strong academic credentials but relatively weaker extracurricular profiles, the Canadian application process is a much better fit. Students who know the academic program they wish to pursue may also prefer the Canadian system of applying directly to a specific course.
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DOING BUSINESS IN CANADA
Whether applying to college in the U.S. or Canada, business-minded students should consider whether to study economics or another related field (and pursue an MBA later) or whether to earn an undergraduate business degree. In general, studying economics will be more versatile and will provide a stronger credential when applying for MBA programs. An undergraduate business degree will likely allow you to specialize earlier, gain more relevant skills, but provide less depth in theory and quantitative methods. In the U.S., it’s important to note that business schools are typically more competitive in the admissions process.
In Canada, undergraduates seeking a focused Bachelor of Commerce or Business Administration degree might consider these top schools:
- Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
- Offers access to a state-of-the-art Financial Research and Trading Lab and co-op programs (at the Scarborough campus)
- Located in a major financial hub, with excellent internship and job placement opportunities
- Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
- Has a strong international reputation based on its global orientation, strong research output, and focus on sustainability and ethics
- Boasts the highest admission standards of any undergraduate business program in Canada
- Ivey Business School, Western University, London, Ontario
- Its undergraduate HBA (Honours Business Administration) program is known for its case-study method of teaching
- Has a strong record of job placement for finance and consulting
- Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario
- Emphasizes teamwork and leadership and promises a tight-knit community and strong alumni network
- Offers a Certificate in Social Impact and plentiful study abroad options
- Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
- Focuses on sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship and offers co-ops
- Vancouver offers connections to a vibrant tech and startup ecosystem
- Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, Ontario
- Offers short or semester-long study programs at 65 international partner schools
- Specializations available in 11 areas, from finance to business analytics to strategic management and more
When considering pursuing a business degree at a Canadian university, be sure to look into the teaching style, campus culture, location, costs and program focus as you decide whether the next step on your journey might take you to a new region of the U.S. or beyond its borders.
ARE CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES YOUR NEXT STEP?
If you plan to explore top international programs, Top Tier Admissions offers expert guidance to help you navigate the complexities of applying to schools abroad. Our expert team provides personalized strategies and unparalleled support to ensure your application stands out, no matter where in the world you’re aiming to go.
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