Universities in Canada ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 101 Universities in Canada

Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are concentrated in the most densely populated provinces: Ontario (Toronto), Quebec (Montreal), British Columbia (Vancouver), and Alberta (Calgary). The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all administrative divisions that include at least one Canadian higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Alberta (12)  
British Columbia (16)  
Manitoba (5)  
New Brunswick (8)  
Newfoundland and Labrador (2)  
Northwest Territories (1)  
Nova Scotia (9)  
Ontario (24)  
Prince Edward Island (1)  
Quebec (17)  
Saskatchewan (6)  

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Overview of Canadian Universities

Canada's higher education system features globally recognized institutions offering diverse programs. The sector is dominated by publicly funded universities (over 80%), which receive provincial government support while maintaining academic independence. Most universities are comprehensive, research-intensive institutions offering undergraduate to doctoral programs across disciplines like engineering, business, health sciences and humanities. Private institutions exist but represent a smaller segment. Canadian universities emphasize innovation, multicultural campuses and strong industry partnerships.

Top 10 Canadian Universities

1. University of Toronto (UofT) - #1 in Canada, #17 globally. Public research university in Toronto, Ontario (est. 1827). Comprehensive programs across all academic levels including professional degrees.
2. The University of British Columbia (UBC) - #2 in Canada, #27 globally. Public research university in Vancouver, British Columbia (est. 1908). Comprehensive programs with strengths in sustainability and technology.
3. McGill University - #3 in Canada, #50 globally. Public research university in Montréal, Quebec (est. 1821). Comprehensive programs renowned for medicine, law and engineering.
4. University of Waterloo (UW) - #4 in Canada, #62 globally. Public research university in Waterloo, Ontario (est. 1957). Specialized in STEM and co-operative education with comprehensive graduate programs.
5. University of Alberta (UofA) - #5 in Canada, #71 globally. Public research university in Edmonton, Alberta (est. 1908). Comprehensive programs with energy and health sciences expertise.
6. Simon Fraser University (SFU) - #6 in Canada, #78 globally. Public research university in Burnaby, British Columbia (est. 1965). Comprehensive interdisciplinary programs with trimester system.
7. University of Calgary (UCalgary) - #7 in Canada, #103 globally. Public research university in Calgary, Alberta (est. 1966). Comprehensive programs with engineering and business focus.
8. Université de Montréal (UdeM) (English: University of Montréal) - #8 in Canada, #111 globally. Public research university in Montréal, Quebec (est. 1878). Comprehensive French-language programs with health sciences leadership.
9. York University (YU) - #9 in Canada, #121 globally. Public research university in Toronto, Ontario (est. 1959). Comprehensive programs with largest law school and film department in Canada.
10. Université Laval (UL) (English: Laval University) - #10 in Canada, #134 globally. Public research university in Quebec City, Quebec (est. 1852). Comprehensive French-language programs with Arctic research leadership.

Analysis of University Types

Canada has 101 degree-granting universities. Public institutions dominate the landscape, comprising 83 universities (82.2% of total). Private universities constitute the remaining 18 institutions (17.8%). This distribution reflects Canada's strong public investment in higher education and research infrastructure through provincial funding models.

Global Ranking and Standing

Canadian universities achieve strong global recognition, with 16 institutions (15.8% of national total) ranked in the world's top 200. An additional 20 universities place within the top 1,000, bringing the total to 36 institutions (35.6% of Canadian universities) ranked among the world's elite. This demonstrates exceptional academic quality relative to the system's size.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many universities are in Canada?
Canada has 101 accredited degree-granting universities.

What percentage of Canadian universities are public?
82.2% of Canadian universities are publicly funded (83 institutions).

How many Canadian universities rank globally?
36 Canadian universities appear in the global top 1,000, with 16 in the elite top 200.

What is Canada's #1 ranked university?
University of Toronto consistently ranks as Canada's top institution (#1 nationally, #17 globally).

Do Canadian universities teach in English?
Most offer English instruction, while Quebec institutions typically teach in French. Bilingual options exist nationwide.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Canadian universities and their online presence.

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