St. Francis Xavier University
Tucked away in the small town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, St. Francis Xavier caters mainly to undergraduates in arts, science, business and education. Small class sizes challenge students to think critically and contribute to class discussions. “StFX provides a unique, immersive experience. Students choose to come here for the exceptional academic experience led by top faculty, often including hands-on research experience,” says StFX president and vice-chancellor Andy Hakin. The university’s commitment to social justice and community encourages students to get involved beyond the classroom. About 20 per cent of students participate in course-based and immersion experiences through the service learning program, working on issues in local communities and around the world. StFX offers post-baccalaureate diplomas for students looking to enhance their learning beyond their first degree. Available in AI, business studies, digital marketing and enterprise IT management, these programs include a co-op option. The campus is known for its Ivy League–style architecture, limestone residences and pedestrian-friendly layout. The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government features an undergraduate program in public policy; Mulroney Hall houses classrooms, research and study spaces and an auditorium. Construction will begin in the spring of 2025 on the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Hall, which will house an incubator for health research in the region, and is anticipated to open in the summer of 2027. A well-known tradition at StFX is handing out X-rings (a rectangular gold ring with a large black X in the middle) to graduating students. Many develop a sense of pride and belonging—also known as the X factor.
Campus buzz: Black students now have access to peer mentorship, study spaces and a Black student advisor at the campus’s new Agnes Calliste Academic and Cultural Centre.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$10,668 ($11,951 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 70.6% | Science: 71% | Commerce: 72.4% | Engineering: 74.2%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 3,978 | Part-time: 292
Graduates: Full-time: 123 | Part-time: 526
International Students: First-year: 4% | Graduate: 70%
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 1,782 (932 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of double room: $10,035
Cost of single room: $10,425
Cost of double room with meals: $11,755 to $15,600
Cost of single room with meals: $13,120 to $15,990
Cost of apartment-style: $6,265 to $7,630
Standout programs
Public Policy and Governance: The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government’s flagship interdisciplinary teaching program prepares students for policy-focused careers in the public and private sectors.
Applied Forensic Psychology: Students study psychology within the criminal justice and mental-health systems.
Health: Through courses like biology, psychology, sociology, chemistry, political science, human kinetics, history and much more, this well-rounded program prepares students for further study or careers in the field of health.
