Capilano University

With class sizes averaging around 22, students at Capilano University benefit from individualized attention from their instructors. Many faculty members continue to work in their fields and can offer students access to up-to-date, practical instruction and industry connections. Capilano’s North Vancouver campus is located at the foot of the North Shore Mountains, about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. The Squamish campus, which opened in 2024, offers a range of programs in arts, business and more. The school has five areas of study for students to choose from: arts and sciences, business and professional studies, education, health and human development, fine and applied arts, and global and community studies. The school’s 19 degree programs tend to be career-oriented in areas such as kinesiology, music therapy and legal studies, but broader programs, such as the bachelor of business administration and bachelor of arts in liberal studies, are also available. Capilano also offers post-baccalaureate diplomas and a wide range of certificate and diploma offerings. Capilano developed the Indigenous Digital Accelerator to provide resources, such as mentorship, workshops and training, to Indigenous students launching their own businesses. “From the moment students arrive at CapU, they know they’re joining a community that believes deeply in their potential,” says president Jason Dewling. “We are committed to co‑creating a distinct university experience—one that supports student well‑being and fosters learning and research opportunities that anticipate and respond to our rapidly changing world.”

Campus Buzz: Students at CapU’s Squamish campus can take advantage of nearby hiking, biking, mountain climbing and skiing.

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$7,378

Median Entering Grades
Arts: 74% | Science: 78% | Commerce: 76% | Engineering: 84%

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 7,970 | Part-time: 2,011
International Students: First-year: 41%

Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 633 (guaranteed for first-years at Squamish campus)
Cost of double room with meals: $10,053
Cost of single room with meals: $11,694

Standout programs

Environment and Society: Students choose an environmental studies or environmental sciences pathway, taking specialty topic modules in their upper years. The program offers a regional-specific education with opportunities for experiential learning and place-based practice.
Writing and Literature: Students choose a concentration and are taught by award-winning fiction writers, poets, memoirists and TV writers. 
Early Childhood Care and Education: This program offers theory, practice and research; it includes a focus on leadership and advocacy. Students explore how to create a learning environment for children that considers social justice and equity.

Capilano offers a range of degree, diploma and certificate programs and is profiled in both the Maclean’s Universities Guidebook and the Maclean’s Colleges Guide. To learn more about the school’s diploma programs, see the Capilano University college profile.