Canada as a Study Destination: How It Ranks and What Students Should Know

In the same survey, Canada also ranked second among six countries for being “open, safe, and welcoming.” Students cited affordability, work opportunities, and a welcoming environment as some of their top priorities when deciding where to study.

But does this perception match the reality international students face once they arrive in Canada? 

In this article, we’ll break down how Canada ranked and examine the top priorities identified by international students, see how Canada measures up in each area, and provide a reality check to help ensure expectations align with the real experience.

Key Takeaways

• Canada scores well on perception: International students view Canada as being affordable and open, safe, and welcoming. 
• Finances dominate decision-making: Four out of five top factors for choosing a study destination, tuition costs, cost of living, ability to work during studies, and post-graduation work opportunities, are money-related. 
• Reality is more nuanced: While Canada remains appealing, rising tuition, updated proof-of-funds requirements, housing challenges, and a competitive job market mean students should plan carefully to make the most of their experience. 
• Students must be strategic: Thorough research, budgeting, and staying informed on policy changes are key to making Canada a worthwhile investment. 

Where Canada Wins for International Students 

According to ApplyBoard’s Fall 2025 survey, Canada regained ground as one of the top destinations for international students, especially when it comes to perceived safety, openness, and overall attractiveness. 

• Open, Safe and Welcoming Reputation: Canada climbed back to second place globally, with 84% of respondents agreeing that the country is “open, safe, and welcoming”, a five-point increase from Spring 2025.  
• Overall Attractiveness: Canada also ranked second behind the UK for overall attractiveness, rising to 74% in Fall 2025, up three points from Spring 2025. 

What Do Students Consider When Looking at Where to Study?  

When it comes to choosing a study destination, the survey found finances dominate the decision-making process. Four of the top five drivers were tied to money, whether directly, through the cost of living and tuition fees, or indirectly, through the ability to work during and after studies to help manage expenses and build a future in the host country. Let’s break down how Canada measures up in each area.  

Cost of Studying and Cost of Living 

Perception 

According to the survey results, 91.4% of respondents stated that the cost of studying and 76.7% stated the cost of living were the most important factors when choosing a study destination.  

Canada was the only country on ApplyBoard’s survey to improve on views of affordability over the past 6 months, with 67.3% rating it as affordable. Many students still see Canada as a place where tuition and living costs are more manageable than in other destinations. 

Reality 

Affordability is a pressing issue for newcomers, and costs have continued to rise. The federal government recently increased its proof of funds requirement, which had remained at $10,000 CAD for over a decade. In 2024, it jumped to $20,635, and in 2025 it rose again to $22,895, for a single applicant.

Meanwhile, housing shortages and rent spikes in student-heavy cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Halifax add another layer of financial strain, particularly when finding accommodation as a student. Rising food, transportation, and health insurance costs are also rising faster than inflation. While Canada’s affordability reputation remains high abroad, students arriving today may find the real costs higher than expected. 

Work Opportunities During and After Study 

Perception 

According to ApplyBoard’s survey, 87.8% of students see post-graduation work opportunities as a key factor, and 74.6% consider jobs while they study as important. Considering Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), as well as the ability to work part-time (up to 24 hours a week during term time) while studying, Canada may be ticking all the boxes for this one.  

Reality 

But as always, perception doesn’t fully match reality. In late 2024, PGWP rules tightened, adding a language requirement, limiting eligibility to certain fields of study, and removing public-private partnership programs altogether. Students hoping to work in Canada after graduation must now choose their programs carefully to stay eligible. 

On the plus side, IRCC raised the work-hour limit for international students during the academic term from 20 to 24 hours per week in fall 2024, giving students slightly more flexibility to earn income. 

Still, Canada’s labour market has weakened, with unemployment rising and youth unemployment hitting 14.5% in August 2025—and up to 17.9% among returning students—making it one of the toughest job markets in over a decade (excluding pandemic years).  

So, if students choose Canada primarily for work opportunities, they should look closely at job market realities and immigration rules to ensure those opportunities align with their long-term plans. 

Welcoming Environment for Prospective Students 

Perception  

The ApplyBoard survey found 48.6% flagged how welcoming the destination is to international students as a top priority.  

Reality 

Whilst Canada is generally welcoming, the reality is a little complicated. Recent federal policies paint a different picture. In 2024 – 2025, Canada introduced a national cap on new study permits, to stabilize growth and reduce pressure on housing, healthcare, and other cost of living pressures, issues for which international students were often blamed. As a result, there was a 48% decline in study permit approvals from 2023 to 2024. 

These pressures have influenced public opinion too. According to IRCC’s transition binder on public opinion research, support for immigration has dropped sharply, reaching its lowest in 30 years. According to the latest data from November 2024, over half (54%) of Canadians said “too many immigrants” were coming to Canada. Additionally, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has faced criticism for potentially taking jobs that Canadians could fill, with some politicians even calling to end the TFWP to ‘solve’ the youth unemployment crisis. While not aimed directly at students, it shows a more cautious approach to temporary migration overall.  

What Students Can Do With This Information.  

Understanding the realities of studying and working in Canada is the first step. The next is planning strategically to make the most of your time and investment. Here’s how: 

Budget carefully: Factor in new proof-of-funds requirements, rising rent, and living costs. With high youth unemployment, don’t rely too heavily on finding part-time work right away. 

Check PGWP eligibility: If post-graduation work is important to you, confirm your program qualifies before enrolling. 

Research job prospects: Opportunities vary by industry and region—look into where your skills are in demand. 

Stay informed on policy changes: Rules for work permits, study caps, and immigration pathways can shift quickly. 

Canada remains a top choice for international students, but rising costs, stricter immigration rules, and a tougher job market mean the path isn’t as easy as it once was. Students who research carefully, plan ahead, and stay informed can still find great opportunities—but success now requires realistic expectations and strategic choices from the start.