Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest university tuition in Canada, and one nursing degree you can earn at six sites across the province. This guide explains how the province’s nursing degree works and reviews the three schools that teach it.
Imagine earning a nursing degree for a fraction of what it would cost in most of Canada, with the same degree whether you study in St. John’s, Corner Brook or Happy Valley-Goose Bay. That is the deal in Newfoundland and Labrador.
How nursing degrees work in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador works differently from other provinces. There is one Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Collaborative) programme, taught by three schools. They share a curriculum and all award the same Memorial University degree, so instead of ranking them we review what each school offers. None of them appears in the QS 2026 nursing rankings.
Where to study nursing in Newfoundland and Labrador (2026)
| School | City | Nursing degree options | QS Nursing 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial University Faculty of Nursing | St. John’s, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay | Four-year BScN (Collaborative) | Not ranked |
| Centre for Nursing Studies | St. John’s | Four-year BScN (Collaborative); LPN bridging from spring 2027 | Not ranked |
| Western Regional School of Nursing | Corner Brook | Four-year BScN (Collaborative) | Not ranked |
The three nursing schools reviewed
Memorial University Faculty of Nursing
Memorial’s Faculty of Nursing teaches the collaborative BScN at four sites, including Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador. This gives students across the province a way to study close to home.
- Degree options: Four-year BScN (Collaborative)
- World ranking: not in the QS nursing table
- Best for: students who want to study outside St. John’s, including in Labrador
Centre for Nursing Studies
The Centre for Nursing Studies is a school run within the provincial health system in St. John’s. From spring 2027 it will also offer an LPN bridging option for practical nurses who want to become RNs.
- Degree options: Four-year BScN (Collaborative); LPN bridging from spring 2027
- World ranking: not in the QS nursing table
- Best for: students in St. John’s and LPNs who want to bridge to an RN degree
Western Regional School of Nursing
Western Regional School of Nursing teaches the same degree on the west coast of the island, with clinical placements in western Newfoundland.
- Degree options: Four-year BScN (Collaborative)
- World ranking: not in the QS nursing table
- Best for: students on the west coast of Newfoundland
The programme has received the full seven-year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing four times in a row, and students complete more than 1,600 hours of clinical practice. Its accelerated option is paused and will not take students for fall 2027.
What does nursing school cost in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Statistics Canada puts average undergraduate tuition in Newfoundland and Labrador at about $3,746 a year for Canadian students in 2025/2026, the lowest of any province and less than half the national average of $7,734. International students pay much more: the national average for international undergraduates is about $41,746 a year.
But is the cheapest degree always the best choice?
Low tuition is a big advantage, but before you apply, also check:
- Approval: make sure the programme is on the approved list of the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, so you can register as a nurse when you graduate.
- Accreditation: most Canadian nursing degrees are also accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). Ask about the programme’s current status.
- Exam results: registered nurses in Canada (outside Quebec) write the NCLEX-RN. Ask each school for its graduates’ first-time pass rate.
- Admission competition: nursing seats are limited and admission averages are high. Apply to more than one site.
- Clinical placements: where students train, and whether you may be placed far from campus.
Your next step: Decide which site suits you best, then check the admission requirements and deadlines on Memorial University’s nursing admissions page. Many Canadian nursing programmes close applications early in the year.
Related: Moving to Canada as a nurse: NNAS, NCLEX and immigration steps · Nurse salaries in Canada by province
Sources: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (Nursing), the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University nursing admissions, Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, Statistics Canada Tuition and Living Accommodation Costs survey 2025/2026. Programmes and fees change; always confirm with the school.
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