Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, Canada - Ranking, Reviews, Courses, Tuition Fees

Overview

About Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology

Founded in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1967, Confederation College has delivered exceptional education and training to over 3500 full-time students annually, including more than 950 international students from nearly 50 countries. The college is renowned for its straightforward, hands-on education that secures graduates jobs.

The college’s highly trained instructors and dynamic learning environment ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience they require to succeed in their chosen careers. Confederation College offers students a wide range of programs at all levels of study, from certificate to diploma and degree, to suit their needs at every stage of their academic journey.

Confederation College provides students with modern facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and technology. The college houses a 59,000-square feet Aviation Centre of Excellence facility, located at the Thunder Bay International Airport, comprised of two hangars, shops, classrooms, and labs for all aviation programs.

Confederation College has strong connections with community organizations and industry partners. Small class sizes allow for students to receive personalized attention and support. Beyond the classroom, the college hosts an annual job & career fair on campus, alongside multiple employer connection events throughout the year, giving students direct access to the industries that are hiring.

Confederation College's main campus is located in the heart of Thunder Bay – a vibrant city with all the amenities students need: shopping centres, restaurants, healthcare facilities, and a welcoming international community. The campus itself is set on beautiful green grounds with walking paths and open spaces among stunning natural landscapes.

Graduate outcomes

Confederation College places strong emphasis on employability, with programmes designed to prepare students for successful entry to the workforce through practical, hands-on learning.

Career-focused services are free and readily available to support students as they transition into employment. These include campus employment services, job search support, CV mentorship, interview training, access to industry networks, and much more.

The college’s strong regional connections contribute to employment opportunities across northwestern Ontario and beyond, and the college’s practical approach to education ensures that graduates are equipped with a host of transferable skills and experiences needed for success.

Overall, a qualification from Confederation College positions graduates as versatile, employment-ready graduates with a strong support network and community-focused outlook, and this makes them highly desirable to employers.

This is reflected in strong graduate outcomes, including a graduate employment rate of 91.1 per cent within six months of graduation, which is consistently higher than the Ontario average.

Similarly, at 83.5 per cent the college’s graduate satisfaction rate sits higher than the provincial average, indicating the quality of student experience that the college delivers.

What makes Thunder Bay uniquely compelling is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a federal program that sets this region apart from most other Canadian study destinations. With 358 designated employers actively participating and over 475 recommendation certificates issued in its first year alone, the RCIP creates a direct, supported pathway for skilled graduates who want to build their long-term future in Canada. For international students, this means Thunder Bay isn't just a place to study, it's a place to build their future.

What's new

Choosing the right program is a key step in planning for international students when it comes to their education and future career. Students who plan to work in Canada after graduation should ensure that their chosen program qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

To support decision-making, the college has curated a list of programs that align with the latest PGWP eligibility guidelines set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This list may be updated from time to time.

Finances

How much will it cost?

Average tuition fees per year

10,48,620 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

11,04,759 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

10,95,423 Vocational Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

Scholarships & funding

Confederation College offers a range of financial support options to help students manage the cost of their education. These include entrance awards, bursaries, and financial aid resources designed to support both domestic and international students, and funding is available for both merit-based and needs-based criteria. Each year, the college distributes approximately CAD 150,000–CAD 200,000 in entrance awards to first-year students, giving them the resources needed to study in confidence.

Students can access information on tuition fees, funding opportunities, and financial aid through dedicated support services online and on campus. The college’s financial aid team assists students in understanding eligibility criteria and application processes for funding options, through the college, and also through external organisations.

In addition to scholarships, students may benefit from campus employment opportunities, which allow them to gain work experience while supporting their finances. These opportunities are complemented by advice and resources aimed at helping students plan and manage their budgets during their studies.

Eligibility

Entry requirements

Entry requirements at Confederation College vary depending on the programme level and specific subject area, however all applicants must demonstrate that they meet the academic and language criteria for their chosen course.

Programs are delivered in English, so international applicants are typically required to submit transcripts from high school, college, or university, along with proof of English language proficiency if English is not their first language. Confederation College has two application processes: one for International Students and one for Canadian Students, so prospective students should be careful to research which one is applicable to them.

Applications are submitted through the college’s international application system, with a non-refundable application fee. Once submitted, applications are assessed based on academic performance and the timing of submission, as many programmes operate on a first-qualified, first-offered basis. Applicants may receive an unconditional or conditional offer, depending on whether all requirements have been met at the time of submission.

Full application steps and document requirements are available to view on the college’s official admissions page, and all prospective students are encouraged to review these before submitting their application.

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

Teaching at Confederation College focus on applied learning, combining classroom instruction with hands-on experience to ensure students graduate with job-ready skills. This approach is supported by strong outcomes, including a graduate employment rate of 91.1 per cent within six months of program completion.

This strong employment rate is also backed up by the college’s 83.5 per cent graduate satisfaction rate, which shows that as well as getting the academic results, students are pleased with the quality of tuition and overall educational experience.

Faculty members bring a wealth of industry experience into the classroom, helping to connect curriculum content with real-world applications. Small class sizes allow for more personalised support, enabling tutors to engage directly with students and adapt teaching to individual needs.

Many of Confederation College’s programmes include paid co-op placements or other unpaid work-integrated learning opportunities, giving students direct exposure to their chosen fields, and the college maintains strong connections with employers and industry partners, which ensures that program content remains professionally relevant and up to date.

Department structure

Confederation College is organised into three main academic schools, each focused on delivering specialised, career-oriented education. These are the School of Aviation, Engineering Technology and Trades; the School of Business, Hospitality and Media Arts; and the School of Health and Community Services.

Across these schools, the college offers more than 65 programmes in over 11 areas of study, of which 25+ are PGWP eligible. These include fields such as aviation, business, health sciences, community services, media arts, and natural resources, and programmes are designed to reflect current industry needs, with an emphasis on practical training and applied skills.

In addition to its main Thunder Bay campus, Confederation College delivers programmes through regional campuses across northwestern Ontario. These campuses provide access to education in smaller and more remote communities, although programme availability may vary by location and prospective students are encouraged to consult the college website to confirm whether their course of interest is offered in their desired campus location.