Now that Ontario has lifted its domestic tuition freeze, Queen’s has approved tuition increases for the next two academic years.
On May 8, the Board of Trustees released the Tuition Fee Report 2026-27 and 2027-28, approving in province tuition increases of two per cent annually over the next two years. Out of province undergraduate tuition will increase by five per cent annually, while international tuition rates will remain unchanged for most programs.
The School of Computing, Juris Doctor of Law, and Master of Engineering were all approved for higher-than-standard increases for both in province and out of province tuition, rising by 7.5 per cent per year starting in 2026-27.
This was approved under the province’s tuition anomalies program, which allows higher increases than normal, up to a maximum level equivalent to the average tuition for similar programs within Ontario.
The University has chosen to utilize the maximum increase thresholds set by the province in all domestic tuition rates.
In a statement to The Journal, Queen’s said tuition fees are the primary revenue source for the University. “While the financial picture at Queen’s is better than it was a year ago, we’re only projecting a small surplus for 2025-26 and a return to small deficits over the next three years,” Queen’s wrote. “Rising compensation costs of four per cent per year and inflationary costs are expected to absorb much of [the] gains within a few years, so continued budget discipline and careful spending remain important.”
This increase does not extend to international rates. In the report, Queen’s proposes a $10,000 cut to international Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) tuition in an effort to remain competitive in international student recruitment.
International students beginning direct-entry undergraduate programs in the next two years will face the same tuition for the duration of their studies.
The tuition recommendations outlined in the report mark a shift in how the University sets student fees. Going forward, it is proposed that domestic and international tuition be approved two years in advance as opposed to annually.
While the report mentions “due regard for student demand, market considerations, academic quality, and student access,” students remain concerned about the feasibility of financing their education.
The AMS and the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) 2026-27 executive teams shared a joint statement with The Journal. While they understand the “balancing act” Queen’s is facing in funding a quality education at a reasonable price, they explained they cannot ignore student concerns.
The Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey indicates, for the first time, financial and work pressures are ranked highest among obstacles affecting academic progress across Canadian post secondary institutions.
The statement also referenced results from an AMS survey on student experience. The results showed over 55 per cent of students identified tuition, ancillary fees, and financial aid as their primary advocacy priorities for student leadership.
“Our primary concern is how the annual 2 per cent increase in tuition compounds the collective impact of a rising cost of living that is currently in contention with the university’s stagnant funding for financial aid and the provincial government’s extreme cuts to OSAP grants,” the AMS and SGPS wrote.
The effects of an increasing cost of education, “not just tuition,” but the compounding cost of living and projected financial aid, are already leading to “unsustainable” demand on student service, according to the SGPS and AMS statement.
The statement said AMS Food Bank usage increased by 30 per cent between 2024 and 2026, while the SGPS Financial Assistance Program used around 96 per cent of its allocated funding in 2025-26.
The University said in the report that “Queen’s commitment to student financial assistance meets and exceeds the Tuition SetAside provision mandated by the Ontario government’s tuition framework and Student Access Guarantee.”
However, the AMS and SGPS have taken issue with the application of the Student Access Guarantee. “According to the University’s budget presentation, they expect the ‘Ministry to enhance Student Access Guarantee to maintain affordability,’ however, we have yet to see how the Ministry has actively demonstrated its interest and efforts in supporting students financially,” the executive teams said.
The AMS and SGPS said they will continue advocating for programs addressing the rising cost of education. The groups also called on the University to support accessible and affordable education.
Tags
Board of Trustees, SGPS, Tuition Fees, tuition freeze, tuition increase
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