Alberta is more than a place to study—it’s a vibrant ecosystem of opportunity, diversity, and academic excellence framed by sweeping landscapes from the rockies to the grasslands to the prairies. For international students, educators, and post-secondary institutions, Alberta offers unmatched quality, value, and global connectivity.

International post-secondary student presence

  • Alberta hosts over 62,000 international students annually, contributing to a dynamic, inclusive, and globally engaged academic community.1
  • Approximately 70% of these students pursue post‑graduate work permits, supporting retention of global talent within the province.2

Economic strength & affordability

  • Alberta boasts the highest GDP per capita among Canadian provinces, recently estimated between $70,700 and $72,500, significantly above the national average and far exceeding Ontario, Quebec, and BC.3
  • Alberta’s median disposable household income stands notably above the national average, reflecting strong purchasing power.4
  • The province maintains a 0% provincial sales tax, making it one of Canada’s most cost-effective regions.5

Diversity & language

  • With a population above 4.9 million, Alberta is home to speakers of over 180 languages—including Tagalog, Punjabi, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish—underlining its multicultural and multilingual character.6
  • Nearly 6.1% of the population identifies as bilingual in English and French, placing Alberta among the top provinces for French-English bilingualism.7

Institutional depth & excellence

  • Alberta is comprised of 26 publicly funded post-secondary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, colleges, and unique entities like the Banff Centre, offering pathways from certificates to research-driven doctoral programs.
  • Leading post-secondary institutions, such as the University of Alberta, welcome over 8,000 international students from more than 150 countries and provide a vast range of undergraduate and graduate programs.8

Economic & investment indicators

  • Representing a base for high economic productivity, Alberta’s non-residential capital investment per capita reached approximately $14,900 per person in 2024—about 67% higher than the Canadian average. Such investment fuels infrastructure, research, and talent-demanding industries.9
  • Output per hour worked in Alberta is around 32% higher than the national average, particularly in energy, manufacturing, and high-value services.10
  • Alberta maintains a comparatively low net debt-to-GDP ratio—currently around 8% (as of 2024–25), among the lowest across Canadian provinces. Projections indicate a gradual rise to approximately 9% by 2027–28, still comfortably below 10%, reflecting continued fiscal prudence.11 12
  • Alberta’s unemployment rate hovers around 6–8% depending on region, with high-demand sectors driving educational and career opportunities.13
  • The province continues diversifying its economy beyond oil and gas, expanding into sectors like cleantech, transportation, education, and professional services—broadening pathways for international graduates.