News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – According to figures released today by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, tuition fees for undergraduate Arts and Sciences programs in Maritime universities this fall range between $5,520 and $7,488, increasing on average three per cent in nearly all universities. By comparison, in June 2014, inflation stood at 2.4 percent in Canada.

“Although nearly all universities have increased their tuition fees by the same proportion, there still remains quite a bit of variation in tuition fees from one institution to another,” said Mireille Duguay, CEO of the commission. “Over the last 10 years however, the differences have narrowed between the tuition fees charged by Maritime universities. The difference from the lowest to the highest tuition fees this year is approximately $1,900 in Arts and Sciences, while a decade ago it was more than $3,500.”

Tuition fees are top-of-mind for students and their families in calculating the costs of education.

“Although fee increases are not inconsequential for students, our data consistently tell us that getting a university education continues to be a very good investment,” said Duguay.

To ensure that students and their families are able to make sound decisions about that investment, it is increasingly important to provide as much information as possible about costs, and the options and assistance available.

“This year, for the first time, in addition to the data on tuition fees, the commission website includes links to a number of assistance programs offered by governments,” said Duguay.

Students also pay other mandatory fees such as student association, health services and athletic fees which vary considerably across universities, and in the Maritimes range between $255 and $1,173. Duguay said that each type of fee is documented on the website. Compared to last year, these fees increased an average of six per cent. Student association fees represent on average 47 per cent of these fees.

In New Brunswick, universities were asked by government to limit tuition fee increases to three per cent, an increase ranging from $163 to $357. St. Thomas University was allowed to raise its tuition by an additional $170, above the three per cent cap. Undergraduate tuition fees in Arts and Sciences in that province range between $5,552 and $7,464.

In Nova Scotia, undergraduate tuition fee increases in Arts and Sciences were capped by the government at three per cent, increasing between $180 and $218; fees now range between $6,180 and $7,488.

In Prince Edward Island, undergraduate tuition fees in Arts and Sciences will be $5,520, up $160, or three per cent from the previous year.

These figures do not account for provincial tuition rebates or bursaries.

The tables are available online.

The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, established in 1974, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It is an arm’s length organization accountable to the ministers responsible for post-secondary education in the Maritime Provinces. It assists institutions and government in enhancing the post-secondary learning environment. The commission's 20 members are drawn from the Maritime provinces, and represent higher education institutions, provincial governments and the general public. The commission’s primary orientation in carrying out its duties is to give first consideration to improving and maintaining the best possible service to students as lifelong learners.