The best Canadian universities have a reputation for academic excellence, particularly among international students. They also provide numerous opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. So, if you want to pursue a dream program at a highly ranked Canadian university, this article can help. Continue reading to see our list of the best schools in Canada.
Aside from their research-intensive degree programs, Canada's top universities provide a flexible study environment in a variety of fields. They have low tuition rates, and the average cost of living in Canada is low for students.
Students in Canada can also work to supplement their education. Furthermore, universities in Canada offer a veterans bursary program to eligible applicants in order to reduce study expenses. According to the statistics of these top universities, graduates have a high probability of employment after completing their studies.
Best Canadian Colleges and Universities
Canada Rank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
1 | 18 | 16 | University of Toronto |
2 | 37 | 35 | University of British Columbia |
3 | 44 | 51 | McGill University |
4 | 80 | 133 | McMaster University |
5 | 88 | 151 | University of Montreal |
6 | 125 | 135 | University of Alberta |
7 | 162 | 199 | University of Ottawa |
8 | 201-250 | 169 | University of Calgary |
9 | 201-250 | 199 | University of Waterloo |
10 | 201-250 | 294 | Western University |
- The University of Toronto Campus: Toronto, Ontario
43% acceptance rate
79% of students graduate.
Rank: #16 according to US News country
In 1921-1922, insulin was discovered at the University of Toronto. Because of its excellent global and local college rankings, it has since become many people's dream school. Students can select from a variety of academic programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as coding bootcamps. Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1330 and an ACT score of 29 to be admitted to the university.
- British Columbia University
Vancouver, British Columbia is the location of the campus.
46% acceptance rate
76% of students graduate.
Rank: 35 according to US News Country
Over 60,000 students are enrolled in programs at the University of British Columbia (UBC). It is well-known for its competitive research projects, from which 235 companies have emerged. A minimum SAT score of 1600 is required to enroll in UBC's online and on-campus degree programs.
- McGill University Campus: Montreal, Quebec
47% acceptance rate
85% of students graduate.
Rank: #51 according to US News country
Over a century of excellence in art and educational history has elevated McGill University's culture, prompting the establishment of a Heritage Advisory Committee in 2002. Studying here provides not only a good college experience but also excellent career planning service support. Students must have a minimum SAT score of 730 and an ACT score of 33 to be admitted to any of its academic programs.
- McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario is the location of the McMaster University campus.
59% of applicants were accepted.
79% of students graduate.
Rank: #133 according to US News country
If you want to study in a research-intensive academic program, your college search will most likely lead you to McMaster University. This university is one of the leading Ontario technology universities, with an academic environment that is also accessible to people with disabilities. To study here, you must have a minimum SAT score of 1200.
- University of Montreal
Location(s) of the University of Montreal Campus: Montreal, Quebec
50% acceptance rate
81% of students graduate.
Rank: #151 according to US News country
The University of Montreal, also known as Université de Montréal, is a popular French-language research institute in Canada. It is on several university ranking lists, including the second-largest in Canada in terms of graduates and the 37th in the world in terms of graduate employability. The minimum SAT score required here is 1400.
- University of Alberta
Location(s) of the University of Alberta Campus: Edmonton, Alberta
58% of applicants were accepted.
79% of students graduate.
ranking by US News country: #135
The University of Alberta, founded in 1908, is one of the most prestigious institutions for research and discovery. This university provides excellent undergraduate and graduate programs. It is also well-known for its arts and sciences, engineering, and business schools. Admission to the University of Alberta requires a minimum SAT score of 1200 and an ACT score of 26.
- University of Ottawa
Location(s) of the University of Ottawa Campus: Ottawa, Ontario
42% acceptance rate
77% of students graduate.
Rank: #199 according to US News country
The University of Ottawa is a prestigious research institution and medical school for applied sciences in Canada. Its graduates are primarily scientific community leaders in a variety of medical practices, including cardiovascular and mental health. In its college admissions process, this school requires a minimum SAT score of 900 and an ACT score of 18.
- University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta is the location of the University of Calgary's campus.
15% of applicants are accepted.
78% of students graduate.
Rank: #169 according to US News country
The prestigious University of Calgary was founded in 1966 as a public research university. It has five campuses and 14 faculties, and it offers students over 250 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This university has a 94 percent graduate employment rate, with 80 percent of employed graduates working in fields related to their field of study. A minimum SAT score of 1190 is required.
- University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario is the location of the University of Waterloo's campus.
53% of applicants were accepted.
79.6% of students graduate.
Rank: #199 according to US News country
The University of Waterloo, founded in 1957, accepts a large number of international and Canadian students for its undergraduate and graduate programs. Its efforts in engineering and water research have been recognized by various university rankings. For admission, this university requires a minimum SAT score of 1230.
- Western University
Location(s) of Western University Campus(es): London, Ontario
58% of applicants were accepted.
87% of students graduate.
Rank: #294 according to US News country
Western University, founded in 1878, is a public research university known for its contributions not only to research but also to education and healthcare. It has over 270,000 graduates in 160 countries serving in various roles such as university faculty, scientist, and executive. This university accepts a minimum SAT score of 1200 and has a reasonable admission rate.
Are Canadian Colleges Good?
Universities with the highest rankings
One of the main draws for international students is Canada's undeniably high standard of higher education, as evidenced by the fact that 28 universities are included in the QS World University Rankings 2022. The nation maintains a high position in the world's educational standards thanks to renowned universities such as the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, and the University of Montreal, to name a few.
Affordably priced education
High educational standards are one of the primary advantages of studying in Canada, but there are numerous other advantages. Canada's educational institutions offer a wide range of courses in a variety of academic fields. Canada is a popular study abroad destination over the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia due to lower tuition costs. The university to which a student applies and the degree they wish to pursue significantly influence the cost of their education in Canada. An MBA at a top Canadian university costs between CAD $30,000 and $130,000 per year, while it costs between USD $80,000 and USD $150,000 at a top US university.
Living expenses are reasonable.
The cost of living in Canada varies by province and place of residence, with certain cities likely to be more expensive than others. Accommodation is the most expensive part of living in Canada for students, but it can be reduced by choosing university housing. The cost of living in Canada is also more than 150 percent higher than it is in India on average.
While studying, work
This is possibly one of the best reasons to study in Canada for students who will be pursuing their education while carrying a significant burden of student loans on their backs. Students who want to earn some extra money while taking classes in order to lower the overall cost of their study abroad experience may benefit from work-while-you-study opportunities. Applicants can choose to receive the benefit of being able to work while traveling abroad.
Multicultural setting
The country has welcomed over 15 million visitors of various nationalities, faiths, and cultures. Because of the country's multicultural environment, students can interact with people from various backgrounds while studying in Canada, which broadens their horizons. Furthermore, Canada is a multilingual country where, in addition to English, French is widely spoken throughout the country. These are the official languages of Canada. Punjabi is the world's third most widely spoken non-official language. International students are more likely to interact with people from various cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and linguistic backgrounds, which eliminates the feeling of being an outsider in the country.
Are Canadian Colleges Better Than American
There are some significant differences between the United States and Canada, ranging from government structure to educational system.
If you are thinking about attending college in Canada or the United States, you should be aware of several factors, ranging from tuition costs to the campus experience.
According to a paper by Joel Westheimer, a full professor at the University of Ottawa, the following are ten ways colleges differ in the United States and Canada.
- What Americans refer to as college is known as university in Canada.
Universities in Canada are called colleges; however, smaller educational institutions in Canada are called colleges because they award certificates and diplomas rather than traditional degrees.
In the United States, college is used to refer to either a college or a university.
- Colleges in the United States are more expensive than those in Canada.
In Canada, the average tuition is $6653. A private university in the United States costs $35676.
A college education is typically less expensive in Canada. It is just one of the reasons why an increasing number of international students choose to study in the United States.
For the 2018-2019 academic year, the average cost of private tuition in the United States was $35676, while public, in-state tuition was $9716. Tuition for Canadian students ranges from $6653 to $2172 on average.
One of the most significant cultural differences between the United States and Canada is that Canadians regard education as a basic right rather than a privilege.
- Admission to Canadian universities is determined by Mostly based on GPA
Standardized tests are required for admission to American universities, but admission to Canadian universities is a little easier.
Outside of Quebec, where students must complete a Diploma of Collegial Studies, Canadians must have a high school diploma in order to apply for undergraduate programs.
Applicants with a GPA of 70% or higher are accepted by universities and colleges.
- The application process in Canada is not as competitive.
Without the pressure to outperform regulated testing, Westheimer claims that the application process in Canada is more relaxed than in the United States.
Furthermore, students apply to universities on their own rather than through a centralized application system.
- In the United States, there is a greater emphasis on the dorm experience.
Unlike in the United States, where four-year colleges require students to live on campus for at least part of their education, the residential experience in Canada is more uncommon.
- Canadian students are more likely to attend university.
In the Neighborhood People in the United States apply to colleges in their area and even across the country; however, this is not the case in Canada, where students typically live at home and commute.
According to a 2012 Canadian survey, only 10% of students leave their hometown for university.
Which Canadian Colleges Offer the Best Employment Rates
1.The University of Toronto is ranked 19th in the world for graduate employability. The University offers a variety of programs. It is home to notable alumni and provides an exceptional student community.
- University of Calgary - The University of Calgary is one of the top 50 universities in terms of global partnerships with employers. It has a graduate employability rate of 95%.
- Western University - Located in Ontario, Western University ranks among the top 200 in terms of graduate employment rate this year. Check out the university's website to learn more about its role in science and research.
- The University of Alberta is an Edmonton-based public research university. It is one of Canada's research-intensive universities, offering 170 graduate programs.
5.British Columbia University - The University of British Columbia is home to nearly 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers a variety of programs at its two campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan. It is consistently ranked among the top 40 universities in the world.
- McGill University - According to the QS World University Rankings, McGill is ranked 30th in the world. It has 40,000 students and 12 professional schools through which it provides excellent education to its students.
- University of Waterloo - With three satellite campuses and six faculties, the University of Waterloo serves nearly 31,900 undergraduate and 5,200 graduate students, respectively. The University, which was founded in 1957, has 11 faculty-based schools and four affiliated institutions.
- Queen's University - influencing higher education in Canada since 1941, Queen's University is one of the country's oldest institutions, with several colleges and faculties. Students from over 100 countries attend the university.
