Want to find the best way to get an idea of how great the public universities in Canada are? Read our list! Here are the top 20 public universities in Canada.
A university education is an important investment in your future, but the actual price of that education can vary wildly depending on where you choose to go.
The best public universities in Canada offer you all the same quality education and opportunities that their private-school counterparts do.
Canada is a country that has many public universities. Some are larger than others, but they all have their own unique characteristics.
We’ve put together this list of the 20 best public universities in Canada so that you can be sure you’re seeing only the cream of the crop when it comes to academic institutions here!
Table of Contents
Study in Canada
Canada is one of the most popular countries in the world when it comes to studying abroad.
There are many reasons why people choose to study in Canada, such as the low tuition rates, high-quality education, and safe environment.
With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which school is best for you. We have compiled a list of 20 public universities in Canada that are among some of the top choices when it comes to higher education.
What is the Cost of Universities in Canada?
The cost of education in Canada is a big topic, and there are many factors that go into it. The first thing you need to know is the average tuition fee for university students in Canada.
The second thing you need to know is how much it would cost if you lived on campus or off campus at your school’s dorms, ate dinner with friends every night, and bought groceries only when they were on sale (which never happens because why waste time waiting?).
Finally, we have listed below all the things that come out of your pocket during your stay at the university:
- tuition fees
- rent/mortgage payments
- food costs
- transportation costs
- health care services such as dental checkups or eye exams needed by students who don’t have access to affordable private care options…etc
List of the Best Public Universities in Canada
Below is the list of the top 20 public universities in Canada:
- University of Toronto
- The University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- University of Waterloo
- York University
- Western University
- Queen’s University
- Dalhousie University
- University of Ottawa
- University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
- Simon Fraser University
- McMaster University
- Universite de Montreal
- University of Victoria
- Universite Laval
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- University of Guelph
- Carleton University
- University of Saskatchewan.
Top 20 Public Universities in Canada
1. University of Toronto
- Town:Â Toronto
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 70,000
The University of Toronto is a public university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on the grounds that surround Queen’s Park.
The university was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King’s College. It is commonly known as U of T or just UT for short.
The main campus covers more than 600 hectares (1 square mile) and has about 60 buildings ranging from simple faculty housing to magnificent Gothic-style structures like Garth Stevenson Hall.
Most of these are located within walking distance from each other along Yonge Street which runs along one side of the campus at its southern end, this makes it easy to get around campus quickly.
2. The University of British Columbia
- Town: Vancouver
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 70,000
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university in Vancouver, British Columbia.
It was established in 1908 as the McGill University College of British Columbia and became independent from McGill University in 1915.
It offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees through six faculties: Arts & Science, Business Administration, Education, Engineering & Computer Science, Health Services Management & Policy Analysis, and Nursing/Nursing Studies.
3. McGill University
- Town: Montréal
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 40,000
McGill University is a public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
It was established in 1821 by royal charter and named for James McGill (1744–1820), a Scottish entrepreneur who bequeathed his estate to the Queen’s College of Montreal.
The university bears its name today on its coat of arms and the grand Academic Quadrangle building that houses faculty offices, classrooms, and laboratories for both undergraduate and graduate students.
The university has two satellite campuses, one in the Montreal suburb of Longueuil and another in Brossard, just south of Montreal. The university offers academic programs in 20 faculties and professional schools.
4. University of Waterloo
- Town: Waterloo
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 40,000
University of Waterloo (UWaterloo) is a public research university located in Waterloo, Ontario.
The institution was founded in 1957 and offers more than 100 undergraduate programs, as well as graduate-level studies.
UWaterloo has been ranked number one in Maclean’s Magazine’s annual ranking of Canadian universities by alumni satisfaction for three consecutive years.
In addition to its undergraduate program, the university offers over 50 master’s degree programs and ten doctoral degrees through its four faculties: Engineering & Applied Science, Humanities & Social Sciences, Science, and Human Health Sciences.
It is also home to two dramatic art venues: Soundstreams Theatre Company (formerly known as Ensemble Theatre) and the Arts Undergraduate Society.
5. York University
- Town: Toronto
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 55,000
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada’s third-largest university and one of the country’s highest-ranked universities.
It has more than 60,000 students enrolled and over 3,000 faculty members working across two campuses located on the grounds of York University Hospital.
York University was founded as a college in 1959 by amalgamating several smaller colleges within Toronto including Osgoode Hall Law School, Royal Military College, Trinity College (founded 1852), and Vaughan Memorial School for Girls (1935).
It took its current name in 1966 when it was granted “University” status by royal charter from Queen Elizabeth II who visited on her summer tour across Canada that year.
6. Western University
- Town: London
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 40,000
Western University is a public university located in London, Ontario, Canada. It was established as an independent college by the Royal Charter on May 23rd, 1878, and awarded university status in 1961 by the Canadian government.
Western has over 16,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries studying on its three campuses (London Campus; Kitchener-Waterloo Campus; Brantford Campus).
The university offers bachelor’s degrees at its main campus in London or online via distance learning courses offered through its Open Learning approach, which allows students to earn credit for their work through self-study or mentorship by instructors who are not associated with the institution itself but rather teach outside of it.
7. Queen’s University
- Town: Kingston
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 28,000
Queen’s University is a public research university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It has 12 faculties and schools across its campuses in Kingston and Scarborough.
Queen’s University is a public university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1841 and is one of the oldest public universities in the country.
Queen’s offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as professional degrees in law and medicine. Queen’s has been consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Canada.
It was named Queen’s College because it was given royal assent by Queen Victoria as part of her coronation regalia. Its first building was built at its current location over two years and opened in 1843.
In 1846, it became one of three founding members of the Canadian Confederation alongside McGill University and the University of Toronto.
8. Dalhousie University
- Town: Halifax
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 20,000
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was founded in 1818 as a medical college and is one of Canada’s oldest universities.
The university has seven faculties offering over 90 undergraduate programs, 47 graduate degree programs, and an annual enrollment of more than 12,000 students from all over the world.
Dalhousie University was ranked 95th in the world and second in Canada by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2019-2020
9. University of Ottawa
- Town:Â Ottawa
- Total Enrollment: Over 45,000
The University of Ottawa is a public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The university offers a wide variety of academic programs, administered by ten faculties and seven professional schools.
The University of Ottawa was founded in 1848 as Bytown Academy and incorporated as a university in 1850.
It is ranked 6th among francophone universities worldwide by QS World University Rankings and 7th among all universities worldwide. Traditionally known for its engineering and research programs, it has since expanded into other fields such as medicine.
10. University of Alberta
- Town:Â Edmonton
- Total Enrollment: Over 40,000
The University of Alberta was founded in 1908 and is the largest university in Alberta.
It is ranked as one of the top 100 universities in Canada and offers more than 250 undergraduate programs, over 200 graduate programs, and 35,000 students. The campus is located on a hillside overlooking Edmonton’s downtown core.
The school has several notable alumni including filmmaker David Cronenberg (who graduated with an honors degree in English), athletes Lorne Michaels (who graduated with a bachelor’s degree), and Wayne Gretzky (who graduated with an honors degree).
11. University of Calgary
- Town: Calgary
- Total Enrollment:Â Over 35,000
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta. It was founded on 1 October 1964 as the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (FMS).
The FMS became an independent institution on 16 December 1966 with an expanded mandate to include all undergraduate and graduate programs except dentistry, nursing, and optometry. It received full autonomy from the University of Alberta on 1 July 1968 when it was renamed “University College”.
The university offers more than 100 undergraduate programs across faculties including Arts, Business Administration, Education Sciences, Engineering & Computer Science, Health Sciences & Humanities/Social Sciences, Law or Medicine/Science or Social Work (along with many others).
The university also offers over 20 graduate degree programs such as Master’s degrees through its College of Graduate Studies & Research which includes in addition to MFA Creative Writing Programs too.
12. Simon Fraser University
- Town: Burnaby
- Total Enrollment: Over 35,000
Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public research university in British Columbia, Canada with campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver, and Surrey.
It was established in 1965 and is named after Simon Fraser, a North American fur trader, and explorer.
The university offers more than 60 undergraduate degrees through its six faculties: Arts & Humanities, Business Administration & Economics, Education (including teacher’s college), Engineering & Computer Science, Life Sciences, and Nursing Science (including nurse practitioner program).
Undergraduate programs are offered on the Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver campuses, while graduate degrees are offered through its six faculties at all three locations.
The university is ranked as one of Canada’s top comprehensive institutions and is frequently cited as one of the country’s leading research universities.
13. McMaster University
- Town: Hamilton
- Total Enrollment: Over 35,000
McMaster University is a public research university located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1887 by Methodist bishop John Strachan and his brother-in-law Samuel J. Barlow.
The main campus of McMaster University is located on an artificial hilltop within the city of Hamilton and includes several smaller satellite campuses across Southern Ontario including one in downtown Toronto.
McMaster’s undergraduate program has consistently been ranked among the best in Canada by Maclean’s Magazine since 2009 with some programs being ranked among the best in North America by U.S.-based publications such as The Princeton Review and Barron’s Review of Finance (2012).
Its graduate programs have also received high rankings from industry experts such as Forbes Magazine (2013), Financial Times Business School Rankings (2014), and Bloomberg Business Week Rankings (2015).
14. Universite de Montreal
- Town: Montréal
- Total Enrollment: Over 65,000
Université de Montréal (Université de Montréal) is a public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
It was founded in 1878 by the Catholic clergy of the Congregation of Holy Cross, who also founded Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Laval University in Quebec City.
The university has three campuses the main campus is located mainly north of downtown Montreal between Mount Royal Park and St Catherine Street East along Rue Rachel Est #1450.
15. University of Victoria
- Town: Victoria
- Total Enrollment: Over 22,000
The University of Victoria is a public research university located in British Columbia, Canada. The school offers bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees as well as doctoral programs.
It has an enrolment of 22,000 students from around the world with its main campus being located on Point Ellice in Victoria’s Inner Harbour district.
The university was founded in 1903 as British Columbia College by Royal Charter granted by Queen Victoria who named it after Prince Arthur (later Duke) Edward, Duke of Kent, and Strathearn who had been Governor General of Canada between 1884-1886.
16. Universite Laval
- Town: Quebec City
- Total Enrollment: Over 40,000
The University of Laval is a public research university in Quebec, Canada. It is the largest French-language university in the province of Quebec and one of the largest universities in Canada.
The institution first opened its doors to students on September 19, 1852. as a seminary for Catholic priests and nuns, it became an independent college in 1954.
In 1970, Université Laval became an independent university with full autonomy over its operations and governance structure through an act passed by Parliament.
The university offers more than 150 academic programs across four faculties: Arts & Social Sciences, Science & Technology, Health Sciences, Engineering & Computer Science.
The campus spans over 100 hectares (250 acres), including 27 buildings with more than 17 000 student bedrooms spread across them.
In addition to these infrastructure developments, there have been several major additions made lately like the construction of new residence halls addition of new classrooms, etc.
17. Toronto Metropolitan University
- Town: Toronto
- Total Enrollment: Over 37,000
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is a public university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
It was created in 2010 from the merger of Ryerson University and the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and operates as a federated school with the University of Toronto.
As well as being one of Canada’s largest universities, TMU has been ranked among the top 20 public universities in Canada by Maclean’s magazine.
The university offers over 80 undergraduate programs across four colleges, Arts & Science, Business, Nursing, and Health Sciences & Technology.
The graduate programs include an MBA program through its Faculty of Management which also offers an Executive MBA course every summer period.
18. University of Guelph
- Town: Guelph
- Total Enrollment: Over 30,000
The University of Guelph is a research-intensive university that offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs. The university’s faculty includes many internationally renowned scholars in their fields who have won numerous awards for their work.
The University of Guelph was founded in 1887 as an agricultural college with a focus on teaching practical skills like dairy farming and beekeeping.
It continues to educate students through its College of Agriculture & Environmental Studies (CAES), which offers four-year bachelor’s degrees with specializations in food security, bioresources management, resource sustainability, renewable energy systems engineering technology, aquaculture science and engineering, horticulture science & technology design, soil health monitoring & assessment systems design.
19. Carleton University
- Town: Ottawa
- Total Enrollment: Over 30,000
Carleton University is a public research university located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Founded in 1942, Carleton University is the second-largest university in the country and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Originally named after Sir Guy Carleton, the institution was renamed to its current name in 1966. Today, it has over 46,000 students enrolled as well as 1,200 faculty members.
Carleton’s campus is located in Ottawa, Ontario. Programs offered are primarily in arts, humanities, and sciences.
The university also has more than 140 areas of specialization including music theory, cinema studies, astronomy and astrophysics, international affairs with human rights law, Canadian literature in English or French (in which they offer the only North American doctoral program), computer science and engineering technology management among others.
One notable thing about Carleton is that they’re considered to be one of the most accessible universities when it comes to studying abroad because they have partnerships with institutions all around the world.
20. University of Saskatchewan
- Town: Saskatoon
- Total Enrollment: Over 25,000
The University of Saskatchewan is a public research university, founded in 1907.
It has an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students and offers over 200-degree programs across the fields of arts and humanities, science, technology and engineering (ISTE), law/social sciences, management, and health sciences.
The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is located on the south side of Saskatoon along College Drive East between University Avenue North and University Drive South.
A second campus is located in Saskatoon’s downtown core at the intersection of College Drive East / Northgate Mall & Idylwyld Drive off Highway 11 West near Fairhaven Park.
This location serves as a hub for research facilities such as the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) which houses facilities used by researchers from across Canada who come to conduct their work because it has access to large amounts of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines or solar panels that can produce electricity when needed without having to buy power directly from producers like coal plants.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best university to go to?
The answer to this question depends on a few different factors, such as what you want to study and where you live. Remember, not all universities are created equal. Some schools have a better reputation than others. If you're thinking about studying engineering, then you should consider one of these top 20 Canadian public universities for higher learning.
How can I pay for my education at one of these institutions?
Most students finance their higher education through loans or grants which they repay with interest once they graduate with a job that pays well enough to service their debt.
What is the tuition cost?
Tuition fees vary depending on your program but generally range from $6,000 CAD to $14,000 CAD per year depending on your degree program and whether you are considered an out-of-province or international student. Financial aid may be available in some cases such as based on need.
Do students receive financial aid from the government or private organizations?
Some schools offer merit scholarships based on academic excellence; however, most funding is awarded to those who demonstrate financial need through proof of income levels, parental occupation/education level, family size, housing status, etc.
We Also Recommend:
- 15 Best Public Universities in France You would Love
- Top 40 Public Universities in the World
- Public Universities in Germany that Teach in English
- 10 Best Public Universities in Italy for International Students
- 40 Best Private and Public Universities in Canada.
Conclusion:
Public universities are a great place to start your education. If you have the opportunity to attend a public university, do not be discouraged by the lack of prestige or money.
Public universities offer an affordable education that is just as valuable as attending an Ivy League institution.
They also provide opportunities to explore your interests and take courses outside of your major. At a public university, you will meet people from all backgrounds and walks of life.