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 Ottawa, 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 University, students have an opportunity to grow their knowledge, develop real-world skills and explore their passions in the nation’s capital and around the world,” says president Wisdom Tettey. “Our inclusive, smart, caring community provides a unique environment where one can address challenges and explore opportunities by embracing innovation, bringing new ideas to life and driving change we can all be proud of.”
The university is launching four new undergraduate programs for the fall of 2025. These include a condensed, three-year nursing program, a mechatronics engineering program, a cybersecurity co-op program and a data science program. 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 both 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 May of 2025.
Campus Buzz: The highly anticipated Ottawa LRT Trillium Line opened in January, connecting the campus to downtown Ottawa and the airport.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$7,419 ($8,448 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 80% | Science: 80% | Commerce: 80% | Engineering: 80-86%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 20,049 | Part-time: 5,673
Graduates: Full-time: 3,905 | Part-time: 1,133
International Students: First-year: 10% | Graduate: 31.5%
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 3,516 (2,500 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of double room with meals: $12,825 to $13,775
Cost of single room with meals: $14,375 to $15,475
Cost of Apartment-style: $10,000 to $14,505
Standout programs
Health Sciences: This interdisciplinary, career-focused program provides a strong foundation in the biomedical mechanisms of human health and disease.
Commerce: This program offers eight concentrations including business analytics, entrepreneurship, international business and more. Students gain real-world experience through co-op and study abroad opportunities.
Economics: Students can choose one of several concentrations, and have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through lab work as well as co-op, practicum and internship placements.
