Short answer: Laurier tuition for an Ontario student in arts or science is $6,180 for two terms, with incidental fees adding roughly $2,100, books about $1,500, and residence plus meal plan another $17,000 or so. Most first-year students pay under $27,000 all in.
Laurier publishes tuition by program, so your number depends on what you study. Arts and science sit at the low end. Lazaridis Business and some professional programs charge more. Here’s the breakdown.
Tuition and fees by program
| Item | Cost (two terms) |
|---|---|
| Arts or science tuition | $6,180 |
| Lazaridis Business (BBA) | Higher, per-credit rate climbs each year |
| Computer science / data science | Higher, and rising about 5% a year |
| Incidental fees | $2,132 to $4,189 depending on program |
| Books and supplies | About $1,500 |
Incidental fees cover student services, the campus recreation and student-union fees, and, unless you opt out, the health and dental plan. The health plan alone runs about $486.74 for 12 months plus $143.74 for dental, so opting out with proof of other coverage is worth about $630.
Residence and food
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Residence is guaranteed for first-years who apply with the $600 deposit by June 1. Rates for 2026–27, per year:
| Room type | Year cost |
|---|---|
| Traditional double (dorm) | $8,373 |
| Traditional single (dorm) | $9,449 |
| Apartment double | $9,022 |
| Apartment single with ensuite | $11,760 |
Every Waterloo residence student also picks a meal plan. The 5-day all-access plan is $7,211.58 for the year including flex dollars; the 7-day plan runs $7,800.12. The plans are tax exempt, and flex dollars work at every campus food outlet.
The full first-year bill
For an Ontario student in arts living in a traditional double room:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,180 |
| Incidental fees | ~$2,100 |
| Books and supplies | ~$1,500 |
| Residence (double) | $8,373 |
| Meal plan | $7,212 |
| Personal spending | ~$2,000 |
| Total | ~$27,400 |
Laurier’s own all-in estimate ranges from about $26,000 to $44,000 depending on program and room. Living off campus cuts the housing line roughly in half: shared apartments near campus run $750 to $1,000 per room, though you then budget your own groceries, about $3,300 a year is a common estimate.
How the payment dates work
- September 10: fall fees due. Late balances accrue 1.25% per month.
- January 11: winter fees due.
- OSAP funding arrives about 10 business days after Laurier confirms your enrolment, so apply at least two months before your term starts.
Cutting the bill
- Entrance scholarships are automatic. An 85% admission average gets you $2,500, 90% gets $3,000, and 95% gets the $4,000 President’s Gold Scholarship, renewable for four years with a 10.5 GPA. No application for any of them.
- The Laurier Scholars Award is the big competitive one, up to $40,000 total over four years plus a $10,000 experiential learning award. Apply at admission.
- The student profile is one application for most competitive bursaries. It closes September 24.
- The Tuition Bursary is need-based for upper years: apply October 1 to 22 for fall, February 2 to 24 for winter.
The bottom line
Plan on about $27,000 for first year in arts with residence, more for business programs or pricier rooms. The automatic scholarships and the September 24 profile deadline are where most students leave money on the table, so start there before looking anywhere else.
For the week-one dates, see our Laurier first week guide. For where to eat cheap, see cheapest food on campus at Laurier.
This guide is general information for Canadian students, not personalized financial advice. Program rules and dollar amounts change, so confirm the details with the official government source before acting on them.
