University of Northern British Columbia

Where else but at the University of Northern British Columbia can you study in a teaching and learning centre with a 360-degree panoramic view that stretches all the way to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains? Wood-and-glass hilltop buildings nestle among the trees on the school’s Prince George campus. Sustainability defines UNBC, and the university responds to the region it serves. The school’s heating system, which uses biomass from sawmills, has earned environmental accolades from afar and the Wood Innovation Research Laboratory is recognized as a passive house, meaning it uses significantly less energy than a standard building. “UNBC puts students first by cultivating curiosity, encouraging exploration, building community and supporting learners at every step,” says UNBC interim president Bill Owen. “Through hands-on learning and engagement with diverse perspectives, UNBC students apply their knowledge as they make a real difference in their communities and beyond.” To further serve the north, UNBC expanded with campuses in Terrace, Quesnel and Fort St. John, and also offers courses through an agreement with the Wilp Wilx̱o’oskwhl Nisg̱a’a Institute in Gitwinksihlkw. Students at all campuses benefit from a high degree of access to their professors. Since the launch of the northern baccalaureate nursing program at UNBC’s Fort St. John campus in 2021, 29 nurses have graduated, many of which are now working in the northeast. Education programs were expanded with a revamp in Terrace and a newly established program in Quesnel. 

Campus buzz: The school’s student newspaper, Over the Edge, recently partnered with city newspaper the Prince George Citizen to distribute the student paper through the local community as a 16-page insert inside the Citizen’s print edition. 

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees) $7,385 

Median Entering Grades
Arts: 88% | Science: 89% | Commerce: 86% | Engineering: 89%

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 2,277 | Part-time: 328
Graduates: Full-time: 570 | Part-time: 67
International Students: First-year: 8% | Graduate: 32%

Housing Facts

Residence Spaces:  520 (guaranteed for first-years)
Single room: $6,372 to $7,268 
Single room with meals: $12,800 to $13,956
Cost of apartment-style: $3,186 to $3,634

Standout programs

Northern Baccalaureate: Nursing Program: After completing two years of an undergrad, students can enter this two-year degree that focuses on delivering health care in small urban and rural communities.

First Nations Studies: Students learn about the languages, legal systems, cultural traditions, histories and governing structures of Indigenous peoples across Canada, including an experiential learning course in building birch bark and dugout canoes. 

Nature-Based Tourism Management: Students in this program, which emphasizes entrepreneurial perspectives and sustainability, participate in experiential learning and field schools.

Reputation

Ranked #2 (Primarily Undergraduate) among faculty members and hiring managers in the 2025 reputation survey, powered by Angus Reid Group.