Carleton University
Carleton University takes advantage of its location in the nation’s capital: many students work as political aides and pages on Parliament Hill. Carleton was the first university in Canada to establish a graduate degree in public administration, and it is also home to the country’s oldest four-year journalism program. Computer science students participate in paid co-op placements at leading technology companies in the city, such as Shopify and Ericsson. The school boasts one of the largest engineering faculties in the country and continues to expand its cognitive science program. Many of Carleton’s programs focus on wellness and sustainability.
“At Carleton, students build strong connections and gain real-world skills while taking advantage of the many opportunities that go with studying in a dynamic capital city,” says interim president Jerry Tomberlin. “The university’s smart, caring community challenges what’s possible by engaging in world-changing learning and research.”
The Institute for Advanced Research and Innovation in Smart Environments (ARISE)—which focuses on applied research in clean technology, health technology and communications technology—and the Health Sciences Building are state-of-the-art facilities. A new 450-bed student residence, Rideau House, which has been designed to meet a high level of sustainability, is expected to be completed in April of 2025.
Campus Buzz: Incoming students can look forward to new and updated food service stations, thanks to an expansive dining hall renovation.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$7,279 ($7,970 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 80% | Science: 80% | Commerce: 80% | Engineering: 80-86%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 19,908 | Part-time: 6,255
Graduates: Full-time: 3,780 | Part-time: 735
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 3,604 (2,800 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of double room with meals: $12,305 to $12,605
Cost of single room with meals: $13,655 to $13,995
Cost of Apartment-style: $9,320
Standout programs
Health Sciences: This interdisciplinary, career-focused program provides a strong foundation in the biomedical mechanisms of human health and disease. Students can choose from among five concentrations, including environment and health, global health, and disability and chronic illness.
Commerce: This program offers eight concentrations including business analytics, entrepreneurship, international business, marketing and supply chain management. Students gain real-world experience through co-op and study abroad opportunities.
Engineering: Students collaborate on projects and get real-world training. Specializations include communications engineering, biomedical and mechanical engineering, and sustainable and renewable energy engineering.
