Top universities in Canada 2026
| Canada Rank 2026 | WUR Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | University of Toronto | 88.5 | 78.2 | 92.9 | 92.3 | 95.8 | 92.3 |
| 2 | =41 | McGill University | 77.1 | 71 | 70.8 | 86.2 | 77.5 | 89.2 |
| 3 | 45 | University of British Columbia | 77 | 64.1 | 73.9 | 88.6 | 77.4 | 93.5 |
| 4 | =116 | McMaster University | 65 | 42.2 | 49.3 | 93.1 | 100 | 84.6 |
| 5 | 119 | University of Alberta | 64.6 | 49.1 | 55.4 | 78.1 | 100 | 88.4 |
| 6 | 150 | Université de Montréal | 61.9 | 41.4 | 50.5 | 83.1 | 95.5 | 84.1 |
| 7 | =162 | University of Waterloo | 60.9 | 42.7 | 47.6 | 83.4 | 77 | 85.5 |
| 8 | =187 | University of Ottawa | 59.5 | 38.2 | 44.5 | 85.4 | 81.7 | 86.2 |
| 9 | 200 | University of Calgary | 58.7 | 37.8 | 43.1 | 83.6 | 91.4 | 83.3 |
| 10 | 201–250 | Western University | 56.4–58.6 | 39.9 | 42.6 | 77.5 | 99.8 | 86.9 |
| =11 | 301–350 | Queen’s University | 51.6–54.2 | 37.9 | 37.6 | 77.4 | 84.8 | 72.9 |
| =11 | 301–350 | Simon Fraser University | 51.6–54.2 | 26.9 | 35.6 | 79.7 | 83.5 | 90.7 |
| =11 | 301–350 | University of Victoria | 51.6–54.2 | 30.2 | 37.1 | 82.9 | 66.8 | 83.6 |
| =14 | 351–400 | Dalhousie University | 49.9–51.5 | 33.1 | 33.2 | 75.4 | 74.3 | 86.6 |
| =14 | 351–400 | University of Saskatchewan | 49.9–51.5 | 39.5 | 34 | 63 | 96.1 | 76 |
| =16 | 401–500 | Université Laval | 46.2–49.8 | 31.8 | 34.6 | 69.4 | 91.7 | 72.3 |
| =16 | 401–500 | University of Guelph | 46.2–49.8 | 34.8 | 36.7 | 64.1 | 80 | 63.6 |
| =16 | 401–500 | York University | 46.2–49.8 | 29.3 | 33.2 | 71.5 | 72.3 | 86 |
| =19 | 501–600 | Carleton University | 43.6–46.1 | 23.4 | 31.5 | 64.9 | 79.2 | 75.4 |
| =19 | 501–600 | Memorial University of Newfoundland | 43.6–46.1 | 30.3 | 25.7 | 65.2 | 82.1 | 86.2 |
| =19 | 501–600 | Université du Québec | 43.6–46.1 | 33.4 | 33.5 | 57.1 | 73.2 | 76.7 |
| =19 | 501–600 | University of Manitoba | 43.6–46.1 | 29.5 | 25.1 | 72.9 | 61.4 | 60.4 |
| =19 | 501–600 | University of Windsor | 43.6–46.1 | 30.4 | 31.4 | 60.5 | 68.2 | 87.9 |
| =24 | 601–800 | Concordia University | 39.0–43.5 | 24.5 | 25.8 | 63.7 | 68 | 74.7 |
| =24 | 601–800 | Toronto Metropolitan University | 39.0–43.5 | 22.4 | 32 | 61.1 | 69 | 62 |
| =24 | 601–800 | University of New Brunswick UNB | 39.0–43.5 | 23.8 | 19.5 | 67.1 | 63.5 | 81 |
| =27 | 801–1000 | Ontario Tech University | 35.5–38.9 | 17.6 | 25.3 | 56.4 | 60.3 | 60.6 |
| =27 | 801–1000 | University of Regina | 35.5–38.9 | 18.4 | 20.9 | 61.9 | 43.8 | 65.7 |
| 29 | 1001–1200 | Lakehead University | 32.1–35.4 | 18 | 25.6 | 52.8 | 41.6 | 58.5 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Brock University | 27.3–32.0 | 15 | 18.4 | 48 | 42.1 | 56.2 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | St Francis Xavier University | 27.3–32.0 | 17.5 | 18.2 | 43.1 | 27.9 | 51.6 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) | 27.3–32.0 | 21 | 22.5 | 44.4 | 19.9 | 57 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Wilfrid Laurier University | 27.3–32.0 | 15.8 | 16.1 | 49.3 | 58.4 | 61.2 |
| 34 | 1501+ | University of Lethbridge | 10.3–27.2 | 20.8 | 14.7 | 29.6 | 41.6 | 59.4 |
Key insights from the 2026 Canada University Rankings
- The University of Toronto remains the highest-ranked Canadian institution, consistently recognised for its research impact and academic excellence.
- University of British Columbia and McGill University continue to hold strong global positions, known for their world-class faculty and international outlook.
- McMaster University takes the fourth spot
- Quebec’s universities like Université de Montréal and McGill offer robust French-English bilingual programmes, attracting diverse student populations.
- In total, 34 Canadian universities are featured in the Canada university ranking 2026, showcasing the country's strength in higher education.
Choosing the right university in Canada
When considering the top universities in Canada, prospective students should weigh factors like programme offerings, campus culture, location, and tuition fees in Canada. Whether you’re seeking cutting-edge research, strong co-op programmes, or vibrant campus life, Canada offers a wide range of options.
Use the Canada university ranking above to explore institutions that align with your academic goals and career ambitions.
The table for the best universities in Canada was derived from data collected from the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry and international outlook. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page.
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