Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia ยท 3,612 undergraduates
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Is it hard to get into Acadia?
What Acadia asks of an applicant from a high school in Ontario. Its own province's students apply with their own courses and, often, a different tuition rate.
Programs listed
29
29 publish an average or minimum
Lowest published average
70%
Classical Studies, the school's own figure
Highest published average
75%
Psychology, the school's own figure
Back for second year
Not published
Share of first-year students who return
| Field | School says | First-year tuition | Graduates working | Co-op |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | Yes |
| Engineering | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | No |
| Business and commerce | Minimum overall average 70%; English at least 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | Yes |
| Health sciences and kinesiology | Minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | No |
| Life sciences | Minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | Yes |
| Math and physical sciences | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | Yes |
| Social sciences | Minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | Yes |
| Arts and humanities | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | Yes |
| Fine and performing arts | Minimum overall average 70% plus audition; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 | Not published | No |
Graduates working: two years after graduating.
What are the easiest programs to get into at Acadia?
The programs with the lowest bar in the school's own figures: its published minimum or range. A low bar is not an easy program; competitive programs can take students well above it.
Lowest bar
- 1Applied BioscienceThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 2Business AdministrationThe school says minimum overall average 70%; English at least 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 3Canadian StudiesThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 4ChemistryThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 5Classical StudiesThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 6Community DevelopmentThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 7Computer ScienceThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 8EconomicsThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
Highest bar
- 1BiologyThe school says minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 2KinesiologyThe school says minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 3PsychologyThe school says minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 4Applied BioscienceThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 5Business AdministrationThe school says minimum overall average 70%; English at least 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 6Canadian StudiesThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 7ChemistryThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
- 8Classical StudiesThe school says minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off
What average do you need for each Acadia program?
29 first-year programs you can apply to straight from Grade 12, grouped by field. Open one for its required courses, extra steps, cost and the same program elsewhere.
Computer scienceevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
Engineeringevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering (Applied Science)Wolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | No | $10,986 |
Business and commerceevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business AdministrationWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; English at least 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
Health sciences and kinesiologyevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| KinesiologyWolfville | Minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off | No | $10,986 |
| Nutrition and DieteticsWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
Life sciencesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied BioscienceWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, required, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| BiologyWolfville | Minimum overall average 75%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| Environmental ScienceWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
Math and physical sciencesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChemistryWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| Environmental GeoscienceWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| GeologyWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| Mathematics and StatisticsWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| PhysicsWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
Arts and humanitiesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian StudiesWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | No | $10,986 |
| Classical StudiesWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | No | $10,986 |
| EnglishWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| FrenchWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| GermanWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| HistoryWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $10,986 |
| PhilosophyWolfville | Minimum overall average 70%; competitive, no published cut-off | No | $10,986 |
Fine and performing artsevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| MusicWolfville | Minimum overall average 70% plus audition; competitive, no published cut-off | No | $10,986 |
How much does Acadia cost?
First year, at this year's prices, for a student from Ontario. Each program's page adds up its own total.
Tuition, first year
$10,986
Depends on the program
Fees on top of tuition
$1,536 to $1,949
Compulsory student fees
Residence and meals
$14,199
First year, shared room, usual meal plan
Rent after first year
Not published
Tuition over the years
First-year arts tuition for a student from the school's own province, as the school published it each year.
What is it like at Acadia?
The same whatever program you pick.
- Who gets a room
- First-year students (no deadline printed)
- Money just for your marks
- $7,000 for 95% and up, can renew each year
- First-years who rate it good or excellent
- Not published
- Finish their degree
- Not published
- Ways in without the usual marks
- Mature student admission. People who have been out of high school for at least four years and do not meet the published admission guidelines can apply as mature students to study full-time. They send transcripts of all past study, two letters of reference from employers, a resume and an outline of future plans, and may be interviewed. Acadia may ask them first to take up to 18 credit hours of specified courses as an independent part-time student; with at least C- in each (and a CGPA of 2.00, per the calendar) they are admitted to a degree program and the credits count toward it. Who: Applicants out of high school for at least four years who plan to study full-time and do not meet the published academic admission guidelines.
- Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for admission. Acadia can recognize previous professional, cultural or lived experience and learning for admission and for credit toward Acadia programs. Students who think their prior learning should count apply for PLAR under the calendar's PLAR policy. Who: Applicants whose learning came from work, cultural or lived experience rather than formal schooling.
- Pre-University Mathematics and Chemistry (MATH 0110, CHEM 0110). Non-credit pre-university courses. MATH 0110 covers topics from high school mathematics and CHEM 0110 covers the Nova Scotia Chemistry 11 and 12 curriculum ('designed for students who have never taken high school chemistry or who would like to refresh'). Each serves as the prerequisite for university courses that need Nova Scotia Grade 11 and 12 math or chemistry or their equivalent. MATH 0110 needs the instructor's permission. Who: Students missing or refreshing high school math or chemistry.
- Axcess Acadia. A four-year inclusive post-secondary pathway for students with self-identified intellectual or developmental disabilities who would not qualify for standard admission. Students attend university courses with their peers and may earn the Axcess Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Faculty of Professional Studies. It does not lead to a degree. Who: Students with self-identified intellectual or developmental disabilities who would not meet standard admission.
What do Acadia graduates earn?
Statistics Canada does not publish pay by university, only by field for each province's graduates. Figures are for Nova Scotia bachelor's graduates, the class of 2022 two years after and the class of 2019 five years after, in 2024 dollars.
| Field | Two years after (class of 2022) | Five years after (class of 2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science | $63,700 | $90,100 |
| Engineering | $73,700 | $89,100 |
| Business and commerce | $55,000 | $70,300 |
| Health sciences and kinesiology | $43,900 | $71,100 |
| Life sciences | $42,000 | $65,700 |
| Math and physical sciences | $34,600 | $65,900 |
| Social sciences | $45,000 | $65,400 |
| Arts and humanities | $38,800 | $52,600 |
| Fine and performing arts | $34,100 | $37,700 |
What careers do Acadia programs lead to?
Two careers per field the school teaches, each with its pay, training and what the work is like.
- Software DeveloperBuild apps, websites and systems. No licence required, many roads in.$100kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Data ScientistTurn piles of data into predictions and decisions. Math, code and a lot of cleaning up.$96kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Civil EngineerRoads, bridges, water and buildings. A four-year degree, then a licence that lets you sign the drawings.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Mechanical EngineerMachines, engines, heating systems and factories. The biggest engineering discipline, with the widest choice of employers.$95kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Accountant (CPA)The money behind every business. A degree, a national exam, and a designation that travels.$84kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Financial AnalystRead the numbers behind a company or a deal and tell people what they mean. A degree, then years of exams.$90kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- PhysiotherapistGet people moving again after injury, surgery and illness. A tough master's to get into, then steady work everywhere.$96kTypical pay6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- KinesiologistMovement, exercise and rehab science. A popular 4-year degree that opens doors, often to more school.$67kTypical pay4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- BiologistStudy living things for a government, a university or a consulting firm. The degree is the easy part; the funding is the hard part.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
Compare Acadia with other universities
Side by side: programs, averages, costs and outcomes.
Or open Dalhousie University's own page, or the list of every university on Careerhelp.
Where these numbers come from
Checked 2026-10-18. Every figure is from the school's own pages or a government table; nothing is estimated.
- Residence: www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab) (www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab) ; www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab) ; www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Who gets a room: www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab) (www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Scholarships: www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab) (www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Fees: www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab) (www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Satisfaction: acadia-university.foleon.com (opens in a new tab)
- Rent: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Pay by field: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Classical Studies: www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab)
- English: www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab)
- French: www2.acadiau.ca (opens in a new tab)
How every figure in this part of the site is sourced, and the check of every link.
Careerhelp is not affiliated with any school. Check the program page before you apply; requirements change every year.
Social sciencesevery university, ranked