Ottawa’s two big universities publish their residence fees for 2026-27: Carleton from about $11,300 to $20,100 for the year with a meal plan, and the University of Ottawa from about $10,000 to $27,300 depending on the building and term. Both charge a deposit and both offer a guarantee to some first-year students. This guide sets out the prices, deposits and deadlines I could verify.
Details come from the Carleton and uOttawa housing pages, checked on 20 October 2026. All amounts are in Canadian dollars. Confirm them for your intake before you pay.
Carleton University residence, 2026-27
Carleton’s fees cover the room, utilities, internet, a meal plan, residence association fees and tenant insurance for September to April. The totals below are for the All Access meal plan (unlimited dining hall entry and $200 Dining Dollars).
| Room | Fall | Winter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double, traditional (Dundas, Glengarry, Grenville, Lanark, Lennox and Addington, Renfrew, Russell, Stormont) | $7,005.18 | $7,005.18 | $14,010.36 |
| Single, traditional | $7,915.18 | $7,915.18 | $15,830.36 |
| Double, Rideau House | $7,317.18 | $7,317.18 | $14,634.36 |
| Double suite (Frontenac, Prescott, Leeds) | $7,863.18 | $7,863.18 | $15,726.36 |
| Single suite | $8,903.18 | $8,903.18 | $17,806.36 |
| Studio | $9,943.18 | $9,943.18 | $19,886.36 |
| Leeds House, room only | $5,658.54 | $5,658.55 | $11,317.09 |
- Deposit: a $700 Residence Advance Payment, which is non-refundable and counts towards your fees. A $50 non-refundable application fee applies to non-guaranteed, returning, graduate, exchange, transfer and winter applications.
- Guarantee (2026 intake): first-year students admitted on or before 15 May 2026 who accepted their offer by 8 June 2026 received a traditional double room. Other applicants entered a lottery. Check the dates for your intake.
- International students: offers include an 8-month stay, and students can request May to August for up to five consecutive years, subject to availability and eligibility.
- Room types: suite-style rooms are reserved for upper-year students, and first-year students mainly get traditional doubles.
University of Ottawa residence, 2026-27
| Residence and room | Term | 2026-27 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rideau, double | 8 months | $10,934 (total) |
| Rideau, single | 8 months | $14,203 (total) |
| Friel, suite with 2 double bedrooms | 8 months | $10,043 (total) |
| Friel, single occupancy studio | 8 months | $13,968 (total) |
| Leblanc, Stanton, Marchand, Thompson, double | 8 months | $16,403 (includes $7,125 meal plan) |
| Leblanc, Stanton, Marchand, Thompson, single | 8 months | $18,733 (includes $7,125 meal plan) |
| 90U, double on the 20th floor | 8 months | $20,715 (includes $7,125 meal plan) |
| Hyman Soloway, 4-bedroom apartment room | 12 months | $15,601 (room cost, meal plan optional) |
| Annex, studio | 12 months | $26,860 (total) |
The page lists more room types than this, including 45 Mann and Henderson. Room costs include $166 for the Student Resident Insurance Program.
- Deposit: $950 paid through the Housing Portal and deducted from your fees. For 2026-27 the cancellation dates were 15 June 2026 (full refund minus $105 in fees) and 30 June 2026 (50 percent refund minus $105), with no refund after that.
- Guarantee (2026 intake): newly admitted Canadian students were offered guaranteed housing up to 1 June 2026. International students needed to apply for housing, accept their admission offer and pay the admission deposit by the deadline in the offer.
- Applications: for September 2026 they opened on 9 December 2025. Late or non-guaranteed applications are considered in order if space is available.
Residence or private rental?
| Question | Residence | Private rental |
|---|---|---|
| Meals | Meal plan built in at Carleton and several uOttawa buildings | You cook for yourself |
| Term | 8 months, or 12 months in some uOttawa buildings | Set by your lease, so read the term and exit rules |
| Upfront cost | $700 (Carleton) or $950 (uOttawa) | Ask what deposit applies and get it in writing |
I have not ranked neighbourhoods or listed private buildings, because I could not verify prices or area details against reliable sources. If you rent privately, view the unit, get a written lease and never pay before you have one. For other Canadian cities, see our guides to Toronto, Montreal and Hamilton, or browse all student accommodation in Canada.
FAQs about student accommodation in Ottawa
How much does Carleton residence cost?
For 2026-27, a traditional double with the All Access plan is $14,010.36 and a traditional single is $15,830.36, for September to April.
How much does uOttawa residence cost?
For 2026-27, from $10,043 for a Friel suite with two doubles to $20,715 for a 90U double including the meal plan, over 8 months. The 12-month buildings cost more.
Is residence guaranteed?
Both universities guaranteed housing to some first-year students who met their deadlines in 2026. Rules and dates change, so check them for your intake.
Do I pay a deposit?
Yes. Carleton asks for a $700 Residence Advance Payment and uOttawa for a $950 reservation deposit.
Sources
- Carleton: residence fees
- Carleton: apply to residence
- Carleton: room types and layouts
- University of Ottawa: residence fees and payment information
- University of Ottawa: residence dates and deadlines
All checked 20 October 2026.
