.jpg)
Tuition fees in Saskatchewan have risen sharply over the past several years, leaving students paying some of the highest rates in the country outside of Atlantic Canada, according to new Statistics Canada data.
Since 2018, the average annual tuition in the province has increased from $7,257 to $9,863, a jump of nearly 36 per cent. This fall, the University of Saskatchewan raised tuition by 3.8 per cent, while the University of Regina increased fees by four per cent.
Post-secondary institutions attribute the increases in part to provincial funding reductions and the lack of a new four-year funding agreement. The rising costs come at a time when demand for skilled workers in healthcare, education, policing, and trades remains high.
Student advocates warn that the higher tuition could make post-secondary education less accessible and contribute to increased student debt. Efforts to address the issue include petitions and community outreach by advocacy groups calling for more stable funding and reduced tuition costs.