Is Johns Hopkins or McGill more affordable for an undergraduate student?

McGill is typically more affordable than Johns Hopkins at the published, before-aid cost, especially for Quebec and other Canadian residents. Its tuition is charged in Canadian dollars and varies substantially by residency and faculty, while Johns Hopkins has a much higher U.S. private-university sticker price. Montreal also tends to offer lower off-campus rent and day-to-day costs than Baltimore, although housing availability and lifestyle choices still matter.

The important exception is need-based financial aid. Johns Hopkins commits to meeting demonstrated financial need for admitted U.S. students, so a student from a lower-income U.S. family could receive enough grant aid to make Hopkins comparable to, or even less expensive than, McGill. Its financial-aid calculation, however, may differ from what your family expects to pay.

McGill’s price depends heavily on whether you are a Quebec resident, another Canadian resident, or an international student; international tuition also differs by program. Even when international tuition is higher, McGill often remains less expensive overall than Hopkins without substantial Hopkins aid. Compare each school’s official net-price estimate using the same family income and assets, then add health insurance, books, travel, visa costs if relevant, and likely housing costs. Since the schools quote expenses in different currencies, convert McGill’s full annual estimate to U.S. dollars before making the final comparison.