Best Online Universities In Canada (2026 Guide)

If you’re looking for the best online universities in Canada, you’re probably trying to find a program you can finish online, with enough flexibility to fit around work, family, or life in general. The tricky part is that “online” can mean anything from a few remote courses to a full degree you can complete without needing to show up on campus.

In this guide, you’ll see Canadian universities that clearly offer online and distance education options, including universities that are built around online learning, plus campus universities that publish fully online programs.

Key Takeaways

• If you want a university that’s built for online study, Athabasca University is the most obvious place to start.

• If you want flexible online and distance programs from a public university, Thompson Rivers University (Open Learning) is a strong option.

• If you want asynchronous online study with bilingual options and full program pathways, Laurentian University is worth comparing.

• If you want fully online undergraduate and graduate options from a traditional campus university, Memorial University of Newfoundland publishes a dedicated list of online programs.

• If you want a private option with at least one clearly stated 100% online degree, Yorkville University is one to look at, especially for business.

What “Online University” Means in Canada

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In Canada, you’ll usually see two models:

1. Online-first universities: These are designed around distance education, so the online experience is the default.

2. Campus universities with online programs: These are traditional universities that also offer select programs fully online, plus a larger set of online courses.

Knowing which model you want makes the “best” decision much easier.

Best Online Universities in Canada

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Athabasca University

Athabasca positions itself as Canada’s Open University and focuses heavily on online and distance education. It publishes a wide range of online undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across areas like business, health, technology, science, and humanities.

Best for: you want an online-first university with broad program choice.

What to check: your target program page, plus whether the structure fits you (self-paced vs term-based options can vary by program).

Royal Roads University

Royal Roads is worth considering if you are open to either fully online or blended learning. It’s very clear that some programs are fully online, while others combine online study with on-campus components (blended learning).

Best for: you want career-focused programs and you are open to blended formats if required.

What to check: the delivery model listed on the program page (online vs blended vs on campus) before you assume you can complete it fully online.

Thompson Rivers University (Open Learning)

TRU Open Learning is built around flexible online and distance learning, and it states you can complete courses and programs anytime, anywhere. TRU also describes Open Learning as offering hundreds of courses and dozens of programs, including the ability to complete an entire credential through Open Learning.

Best for: you want flexibility and the option to progress course-by-course while working.

What to check: whether your program is fully online or has any in-person requirements, since delivery can vary by credential.

McGill University (McGill Online)

McGill runs a portal for online learning and states that professional and academic programs are offered fully online, with online programs designed to be delivered and completed entirely through digital platforms (no campus presence required).

Best for: you want an online program from a globally recognized Canadian university, and you are willing to be flexible on program selection.

What to check: the specific faculty or school offering the online program, because “online” options can vary by unit and credential type.

Laurentian University (Laurentian Online)

Laurentian Online lists degree program options and a large catalog of asynchronous online courses, and it highlights flexibility to complete a full program of study online (or to complement on-campus study). It also positions itself as a major bilingual distance education option.

Best for: you want asynchronous online learning, bilingual options, and a clear online program pathway.

What to check: the specific online degree option you want, and the course availability by term (so you can plan a realistic timeline).

Yorkville University

Yorkville is a private university, and its program pages can be very direct about online delivery. For example, it explicitly states its online Bachelor of Business Administration is 100% online.

Best for: you want a clearly online business degree pathway, and you’re comfortable comparing private university options.

What to check: the delivery format and admissions details on the specific program page, because “online” can differ across programs.

Memorial University of Newfoundland (Online Programs)

Memorial publishes a page dedicated to online programs and states it offers fully online undergraduate and graduate programs, along with hundreds of online courses. It also notes you can choose a completely online experience or a mix of online and in-person learning, depending on your goals and program.

Best for: you want online options offered by a traditional campus university, with the ability to stay fully online where your program allows.

What to check: whether the exact program you want is fully online or blended, since Memorial supports both models.

University of Fredericton

If you specifically want a private, online-first option in Canada, the University of Fredericton positions itself as a 100% online university and promotes a fully online MBA with flexible delivery.

Best for: you want a fully online private-university option in Canada, especially for graduate-level business.

What to check: your exact program structure, start dates, and admissions requirements on the program page, since private universities can differ a lot from public universities in pacing and policies.

Queen’s University (Arts And Science Online)

If you want a traditional Canadian university with fully online degree options, Queen’s Arts and Science Online is one place to look. It offers online courses and program options through its Arts and Science Online unit.

Best for: you want an online degree pathway tied to a well-known campus university.

What to check: availability. Queen’s notes that Arts and Science Online is not accepting distance student applications at this time, and course availability can change by term.

Pros and Cons of Online University in Canada

The Pros

• You can study from anywhere, so you do not need to relocate or commute.

• Online programs often work better if you are balancing a job, caregiving, or a busy schedule.

• You can sometimes progress more gradually (part-time or course-by-course), which can make a full degree feel more manageable.

The Cons

• You need self-discipline, because you are not physically “held” by a campus routine.

• Help can feel less immediate if you prefer face-to-face support.

• Some “online” programs are actually blended, so you may still need to attend occasional in-person components.

Academic and Language Requirements

Your requirements depend on the university and the program, but in most cases, you should expect:

• Standard academic prerequisites (high school requirements for undergraduate, a prior degree for many graduate programs)

• Proof of language proficiency if you are applying in English or French, and you did not study in that language previously

The simplest approach is to shortlist two or three programs first, then check admissions requirements on those exact program pages, because requirements vary even within the same university.

Low-Cost Options and a Tuition-Free Alternative

If cost is a big factor, start by comparing public-university online options where you can complete a credential online and pay standard tuition rates for that institution. In many cases, the best savings come from choosing the right format (part-time, online, no relocation costs), not just chasing the lowest sticker price.

If you also want to consider an alternative that is open to students in Canada, University of the People is a tuition-free, fully online university where you pay a one-time application fee and per-course assessment fees instead of tuition. Fees are as follows:

• $60 one-time application fee

• $160 per undergraduate course assessment fee

• $400 per M.Ed. course

• $450 per MBA/MSIT course

It is accredited by WSCUC.

FAQs

What is the best online university in Canada?

If you want an online-first Canadian university, Athabasca is usually the most direct match. If you mean “best online option overall,” it depends on your program and whether you need fully online (not blended) delivery.

Are online degrees from Canadian universities respected?

Generally, yes, as long as you choose a recognized university and a legitimate program. The key is confirming whether the credential is a full degree program delivered online, or simply online courses.

Can you complete a full degree online in Canada?

Yes, but not at every university and not in every subject. Always confirm the program delivery model, because some programs are fully online while others are blended.

Are all “online programs” actually fully online?

No. Some universities offer fully online programs and blended programs under the same umbrella, so you need to check the delivery mode on the specific program page.

Which online university is best for working adults?

Look for asynchronous delivery, clear part-time pathways, and strong student support. Universities that explicitly position themselves around flexible online learning (or have an Open Learning division) are usually the best starting point.