Capilano University

Key Highlights

• Founded as Capilano College in 1968 and redesignated Capilano University in 2008
• Public university recognized by the Province of British Columbia
• Locations in North Vancouver, Lower Lonsdale, Squamish and Sechelt
• Approximately 9,000 students in for-credit programs within a broader annual learner population

Student Life & Environment

Student life is distributed across CapU’s locations, so the experience will depend partly on where a student’s program is based. At the North Vancouver campus, the Student Life team runs transition and community activities such as New Student Orientation, Welcome Wednesdays, a street party and a new-student mixer. Its Student Life Hub is staffed by student leaders who help peers locate services and identify ways to become involved. The university’s support network includes academic advising, accessibility services, career support, resources for Indigenous and new students, and services available both on campus and virtually. Student Life also provides well-being education and programming related to consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention. These services provide several entry points for students who need academic, personal or community support, though availability and delivery format should be checked by campus. University-operated housing is available in North Vancouver and Squamish. Published 2026–2027 residence prices include mandatory meal plans, and the room configuration differs by location. Housing requires a separate application and payment, so admission to an academic program should not be treated as a housing guarantee. Prospective residents should compare residence dates with the academic calendar and budget for the application and confirmation payments as well as the term charge.

Location & Surroundings

Capilano University’s main campus is at 2055 Purcell Way in North Vancouver. The university describes it as approximately a 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, although actual journey times will depend on traffic and the student’s starting point. This location places students on Vancouver’s North Shore rather than in the city’s downtown core. The university also operates CapU Lonsdale in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood, kálax-ay on the Sunshine Coast in Sechelt, and a campus in Squamish. Squamish is the newest location, having opened in fall 2024. These sites serve different programs and communities; applicants should confirm where required classes take place before choosing accommodation or planning a commute. The multi-location structure creates distinct practical choices. North Vancouver students can remain near the metropolitan services of the Vancouver area, while Squamish and Sechelt provide smaller-community settings farther from the main campus. Students should evaluate transportation, residence availability and the frequency of any required travel between sites. The official location pages, rather than the record’s city field alone, are the appropriate planning reference.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For the 2026–2027 academic year, Capilano University publishes standard tuition of C$152.62 per credit for Canadian citizens and permanent residents and C$724.24 per credit for international students. These figures are base rates, not complete annual prices. Specialized programs and courses may carry different tuition, surcharges or consumable fees, while books, supplies and other mandatory charges can add to the total. Applicants should use the university’s 2026–2027 estimator with their exact program and status rather than multiplying a generic full-time course load without checking program-specific costs. Housing is another substantial expense. At North Vancouver for fall 2026 or spring 2027, the published per-term total is C$6,250 for a shared double room or C$7,150 for a single room, including the mandatory meal plan. Squamish’s published single-suite total is C$6,566.80 per term, also including its required meal plan. Rates may change. A C$50 non-refundable housing application fee and C$500 confirmation payment also apply. Career preparation is supported through the Career Development Centre, which offers advising, coaching, workshops and events. It connects students with job, volunteer and experiential-learning opportunities and works with employers and academic units. Academic programs may additionally include co-op, internships, practica, clinical or field placements, but these opportunities are program-dependent. No verified graduate salary, placement-rate or employer-outcome statistics were found in the selected current sources, so students should evaluate career fit through the curriculum, required practical components and professional recognition relevant to their intended field.