Lakehead University
A well-established university providing quality higher education. Offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs with dedicated faculty and supportive learning environment.
- Acceptance Rate
- 56.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.4
- Size
- Large (24,190 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:23
- Setting
- urban
- Graduation Rate
- 70.0%
- Retention Rate
- 80.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $8,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $35,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Student life at Lakehead's Thunder Bay campus reflects both the university's character and its northern setting. The campus provides a self-contained environment with residences, dining, recreational facilities, and the amenities students need within walking distance. This matters in a northern climate where winter travel can be challenging. Outdoor recreation defines much of student culture. Skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports take advantage of local terrain. Summer brings hiking, canoeing, and camping in the spectacular Lake Superior Provincial Park and surrounding wilderness. Students who love the outdoors find kindred spirits here, while those less experienced discover new activities. Campus organizations cover the usual range, from academic clubs to cultural groups to volunteer organizations. Varsity athletics compete in Canadian university leagues, with hockey naturally prominent in this northern setting. The smaller student body creates an environment where involvement is accessible rather than competitive. Thunder Bay itself offers a small city's amenities, from restaurants and entertainment to shopping and services. The population of about 110,000 supports a genuine urban environment while remaining connected to the surrounding wilderness. Cost of living runs lower than in southern Ontario cities, stretching student budgets further.
Location & Surroundings
Thunder Bay sits at the head of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake by surface area on Earth. The setting is dramatic, with the Sleeping Giant peninsula visible across the harbor and boreal forest stretching in every direction. This is genuinely northern territory, with winters that demand respect and summers that reward patience with spectacular natural beauty. The city serves as the economic and service center for northwestern Ontario, with port facilities, resource industry offices, and the regional hospital. This concentration of services creates employment opportunities for graduates who want to remain in the region. The city's size provides urban life without big-city congestion or costs. Getting to and from Thunder Bay requires some effort. The airport offers flights to Toronto and other centers. The Trans-Canada Highway connects to the rest of the country, though distances are significant. Via Rail provides train service. This relative isolation means students should be comfortable with the setting rather than expecting easy weekend trips to Toronto. The Orillia campus offers a different experience in central Ontario, closer to the Greater Toronto Area while maintaining Lakehead's educational philosophy. Students at this campus access regional opportunities while belonging to the same university.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition at Lakehead follows Ontario university norms, with fees varying by program and student status. Domestic undergraduate tuition runs approximately $6,000 to $8,000 annually depending on the program, with international students paying substantially more. These fees place Lakehead in the mainstream of Canadian university costs. Living costs in Thunder Bay run notably lower than in Toronto, London, or other southern Ontario cities. Residence fees and off-campus rental markets both cost less than students would pay in larger centers. This affordability partially offsets the costs of education and makes northern living financially attractive. Career outcomes for Lakehead graduates benefit from strong connections to regional employers. Education graduates find teaching positions in schools across the north. Nursing and health science graduates enter healthcare systems chronically short of professionals. Engineering and natural resource graduates work in the industries that drive the regional economy. Some graduates seek opportunities in southern Ontario or elsewhere, taking their Lakehead credentials into broader job markets. The university's reputation, while not matching Toronto's universities in some fields, carries respect particularly for programs connected to its strengths. Graduate school admissions and professional outcomes demonstrate that Lakehead prepares students effectively for next steps.
Campus Location
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