Top 100 Canadian Universities

Canada is one of the most popular educational destinations among international students from all over the world. What makes the country so attractive? First of all, friendly and diverse environment, strong economy, beautiful nature, good career opportunities and, of course, high standards of education. Canadian diplomas are recognized globally and many of the national universities rank high on the lists of the best world academic institutions.

Our list of top 100 Canadian Universities is based on the recent uniRank results, published in 2021 by the Canadian University Ranking. Among the criteria, that were used for the selection of the top 100 Canadian Universities are the following aspects:

1. The university must be chartered, licensed, or accredited by the appropriate Canadian higher education-related organization;
2. The university must offer at least four-year undergraduate degrees (bachelor degrees) or postgraduate degrees (master or doctoral degrees);
3. The university must deliver courses predominantly in a traditional, face-to-face, non-distance education format.

So here is the list of the top 100 Canadian universities with their short description that can help you to make the best educational choice in life.

1. The University of Toronto, established in 1827, is a very large coeducational institution. The University of Toronto offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. All 18 of its faculties and schools are open for the enrollment of international students.
2. The University of British Columbia, established in 1908, is a non-profit public institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Vancouver with a branch campus in Kelowna. It has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and past academic records and grades with an admission rate of 40-50%. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment at UBC, one of the best among the top 100 Canadian universities.
3. The University of Waterloo, established in 1957, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Waterloo, Ontario. The University of Waterloo offers Canadian and international students courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees.

4. 

   McGill University, established in 1821,  is a non-profit public institution located in the metropolis of Montréal, Quebec with a branch campus in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. McGill University provides a number of academic and non-academic facilities and services to students and offers a wide range of research and academic programs.

5. Simon Fraser University, established in 1965,  is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Burnaby, British Columbia with branch campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. This very large coeducational institution offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees, bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. The admission rate range is 80-90% and international students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
6. The University of Alberta, established in 1908, is a non-profit public institution located in Edmonton, Alberta with a branch campus in Camrose. The university has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades and is open for international students.
7. York University, established in 1959, is a non-profit public institution located in Toronto, Ontario. The university is very large and provides courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s, master and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. 
8. Queen's University, established in 1841, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Kingston. The university has a selective admission policy (the admission rate range is 40-50%) and welcomes international students.
9. The University of Calgary, established in 1966, is the next on our list of the top 100 Canadian universities. This non-profit public institution is located in the metropolis of Calgary, Alberta. With an admission rate of 10-20%, the University of Calgary offers its students courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. 
10. The University of Victoria, established in 1963, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the small city of Victoria, British Columbia. It offers courses and programs leading to pre-bachelor and bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

11. 

    McMaster University, established in 1887, is a non-profit public institution located in Hamilton, Ontario. Open for international applicants, as the majority of the top 100 Canadian universities.

12. Western University, established in 1878,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in London, Ontario. It is one of the largest coeducational institutions among the top 100 Canadian universities and has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and past academic records and grades.
13. Université de Montréal, established in 1878, is a non-profit public institution located in Montréal, Quebec and is officially recognized by the Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, Québec. The university is averagely selective and welcomes international students.
14. Université Laval, established in 1852, is another Quebec institution among the top 100 Canadian Universities. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment, and students are offered many study abroad and exchange programs.
15. Ryerson University, established in 1948,  is a non-profit public institution located in Toronto, Ontario. Ryerson University prepares students and grants officially recognized pre-bachelor and bachelor degrees, master degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
16. Carleton University, established in 1942, is located in Ottawa, Ontario. The admission rate range high, making it a very selective institution on the list of the top 100 Canadian universities. 
17. The University of Guelph, established in 1964, is a non-profit public institution located in Guelph, Ontario with branch campuses in Ridgetown and Kemptville. 
18. The University of Ottawa, established in 1848, is a non-profit public institution officially recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities of Ontario. Open for international students, the University of Ottawa offers a wide range of educational programs.
19. Concordia University, established in 1974 is located in Montréal. This  very large institution welcomes international students and offers six areas of study: Arts and Humanities, Business and Social Sciences, Language and Cultural, Medicine and Health, Engineering, Science and Technology.

20. 

    Dalhousie University, established in 1818, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The admission rate range is 60-70% and the university is open for international enrollment too.

21. Université du Québec à Montréal, established in 1969, has branch campuses in Lanaudière, Laval, Montérégie, Ouest de l'île. It has 13 faculties and schools that offer a wide range of accredited programs.
22. The University of Manitoba, established in 1877, is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Training of the province, the University of Manitoba offers a wide range of programs on 27 of its faculties and schools.
23. The Memorial University of Newfoundland, established in 1925, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador with branch campuses in Corner Brook and Harlow. 
24. The University of Saskatchewan, established in 1907, is the next non-profit public institution on the list of top 100 Canadian Universities. It is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
25. The University of New Brunswick, established in 1785, is located in Fredericton, New Brunswick with a branch campus in Saint John. 
26. Université de Sherbrooke, established in 1954, is a non-profit public institution located Sherbrooke, Quebec. 
27. Brock University, established in 1964, is located in St. Catharines, Ontario with a branch campus in Hamilton.
28. Wilfrid Laurier University, established in 1911, is a non-profit public institution located in Waterloo, Ontario with a branch campus in Brantford. 
29. The University of Regina, established in 1911, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Regina, Saskatchewan. 
30. The University of Windsor, established in 1857, is the next non-profit public institution from Ontario on the list of top 100 Canadian Universities.
31. British Columbia Institute of Technology, established in 1960, is a non-profit public institution located in Burnaby, British Columbia. 
32. Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, established in 1969,  is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Chicoutimi, the province of Quebec.
33. The University of Lethbridge, established in 1967,  is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Lethbridge, Alberta.
34. The University of Winnipeg, established in 1871,  is a non-profit public institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
35. HEC Montréal, established in 1907,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Montréal, Quebec.
36. Lakehead University, established in 1965, is a medium-sized institution located in the rural setting of Thunder Bay, Ontario. 
37. Université du Québec, established in 1968, is a non-profit public institution located in the urban setting of Quebec City with branch campuses in Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Rimouski, Gatineau, and Rouyn-Noranda.
38. École Polytechnique de Montréal, established in 1873, is the next non-profit public institution on the list of top 100 Canadian Universities. It is located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Montréal, Quebec.
39. Trent University, established in 1963, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Peterborough, Ontario with a branch campus in Oshawa. 
40. Vancouver Island University, established in 1969, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Nanaimo, British Columbia with branch campuses in Duncan, Parksville, and Powell River. 
41. University of Prince Edward Island, established in 1969, is a non-profit public institution located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
42. Acadia University, established in 1838,  is a non-profit public institution located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
43. École de Technologie Supérieure, established in 1974, is a non-profit public institution located in the urban setting of Montréal.
44. Ontario Tech University, established in 2002,  is the next non-profit public institution on the list of top 100 Canadian Universities, located in the small city of Oshawa, Ontario.
45. The University of Northern British Columbia, established in 1990,  is a non-profit public institution located in the city of Prince George, British Columbia with branch campuses in Fort St. John, Quesnel, and Terrace.
46. Thompson Rivers University, established in 1970, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Kamloops, British Columbia. 
47. Kwantlen Polytechnic University, established in 1981, is a non-profit public institution located in the city of Surrey, British Columbia with branch campuses in Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale.
48. St. Francis Xavier University, established in 1853,  is a non-profit public institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
49. Mount Allison University, established in 1839,  is a non-profit public institution located in Sackville, New Brunswick. 
50. Saint Mary's University, Founded in 1802, is the next non-profit public higher education institution on the list of top 100 Canadian Universities. The institution is located in the medium city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
51. Mount Royal University, established in 1910, is a non-profit public institution located in Calgary, Alberta.
52. OCAD University, established in 1876, is a non-profit public institution located in Toronto, Ontario.
53. Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, established in 1969,  is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the small city of Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
54. Laurentian University, established in 1960,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the small city of Sudbury, Ontario. 
55. Université de Moncton, established in 1864, is a non-profit public institution located in Moncton, New Brunswick with branch campuses in Edmundston and Shippagan. 
56. MacEwan University, established in 1971, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Edmonton, Alberta.
57. The University of the Fraser Valley, established in 1974, is a non-profit public institution located in Abbotsford, British Columbia with branch campuses in Chilliwack, Mission, Hope, and Agassiz.
58. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, established in 1962,  is a non-profit public institution located in Edmonton, Alberta.
59. Bishop's University, established in 1843, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Sherbrooke, Quebec. 
60. SAIT Polytechnic, established in 1916, is a non-profit public institution located in the metropolis of Calgary, Alberta.
61. Trinity Western University, established in 1986,  is the next among the top 100 Canadian Universities. This non-profit private institution is located in the small city of Langley, British Columbia. 
62. Nipissing University, established in 1992,  is a non-profit public institution located in North Bay with a branch campus in Bracebridge, Ontario.
63. Brandon University, established in 1899, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Brandon in the province of Manitoba. 
64. Capilano University, established in 1968,  is a non-profit public institution located in North Vancouver, British Columbia with branch campuses in Squamish and Sechelt.
65. Mount Saint Vincent University, established in 1873,  is a non-profit public institution located in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
66. Université du Québec à Rimouski, established in 1969, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the Rimouski, Quebec. 
67. Royal Roads University, established in 1995, is a non-profit public institution located in Victoria, British Columbia.
68. Cape Breton University, established in 1974,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the small city of Sydney, Nova Scotia, and has a branch campus in New Cairo.
69. Royal Military College of Canada, established in 1876, is a non-profit public institution located in Kingston, Ontario with branch campuses in Saint-Jean sur Richelieu, Toronto, and Fort Saint-Jean.
70. Université du Québec en Outaouais, established in 1981, is a non-profit public institution located in Gatineau, Quebec. 

71. 

    Algoma University, established in 2008,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the small city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

72. Yorkville University, established in 2003,  is a for-profit private higher education institution located in the small city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and boasts branch campuses in Toronto and Vancouver. 
73. Canadian Mennonite University, established in 2000, is a non-profit private higher education institution located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
74. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, established in 1970, is a non-profit public institution located in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec with branch campuses in Val-d'Or, Amos, La Sarre, Témiscamingue, Mont-Laurier, Montréal, and Chibougamau.
75. NSCAD University, established in 1887,  is a very small non-profit public institution located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 
76. École Nationale d'Administration Publique, established in 1969, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Quebec City with branch campuses in Montréal, Gatineau, Saguenay, and Trois-Rivières.
77. Université de Saint-Boniface, established in 1818, is a non-profit private higher education institution located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
78. St. Thomas University, established in 1910, is a non-profit public institution located in the small city of Fredericton, New Brunswick.
79. The Concordia University of Edmonton, established in 1921,  is the next non-profit private higher education institution on the list of top 100 Canadian Universities and is located in Edmonton, Alberta.
80. University of King's College, established in 1789, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
81. University Canada West, established in 2005,  is a for-profit private institution located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
82. The King’s University, established in 1979, is a non-profit private higher education institution located in Edmonton, Alberta.
83. College of the North Atlantic, established in 1997, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador. This institution also has branch campuses in Baie Verte, Bonavista, Burin, Carbonear, Clarenville, Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador West, Placentia, Port aux Basques, St. John's, Conception Bay South, St. Anthony, and Doha (Qatar).
84. Emily Carr University of Art and Design, established in 1925,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
85. Quest University Canada, established in 2007, is a non-profit private higher education institution located in Squamish, British Columbia. 
86. Ambrose University, established in 1921, is a non-profit private institution located in the metropolis of Calgary, Alberta.
87. Redeemer University College, established in 1982,  is a non-profit private institution located in Ancaster, Ontario.
88. Burman University, established in 1907, is a non-profit private higher education institution located in Lacombe, Alberta.
89. Université Sainte-Anne, established in 1890, is a non-profit public institution located in Pointe de l'Église, Nova Scotia. 
90. Luther College at the University of Regina, established in 1913, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Regina, Saskatchewan.
91. The First Nations University of Canada, established in 1976,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Regina, Saskatchewan.
92. Crandall University, established in 1949, is a non-profit private institution located in Moncton, New Brunswick.
93. St Mary's University, established in 1986, is a non-profit private higher education institution located in Calgary, the province of Alberta.
94. Kingswood University, established in 1945,  is a non-profit private institution located in Sussex, New Brunswick.
95. Université de Hearst, established in 1972, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Hearst, Ontario with branch campuses in Kapuskasing and Timmins.
96. Collège Universitaire Dominicain, established in 1899, is a non-profit private higher education institution located in Ottawa, Ontario with a branch campus in Montréal.
97. St. Thomas More College, established in 1936, is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
98. Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, established in 1983,  is a non-profit private institution located in Merritt, British Columbia with a branch campus in Burnaby. 
99. Aurora College, established in 1981,  is a non-profit public higher education institution located in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories with branch campuses in Inuvik and Yellowknife. 
100. St. Stephen's University, established in 1971,  is a non-profit private institution located in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

This list of top 100 Canadian Universities provides you with a brief outlook on the best higher education institutions, both public and private. Every province of Canada has a number of universities that can attract international students and offer them lots of academic and extracurricular opportunities.

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