Top Canadian Universities Ranked in 2025 Global Academic List

The latest academic ranking has unveiled the top ten universities in Canada, showcasing the country’s premier institutions for higher education. Released by the reputable ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) evaluates 2,500 universities globally based on several rigorous criteria.

This year, three Canadian universities made it into the top 100 worldwide, with the University of Toronto claiming the top position in Canada and ranking 25th globally. The evaluation criteria include the number of staff and alumni who have received prestigious awards such as Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, as well as the number of highly cited researchers. Additional factors include publications in influential journals like Nature and Science, along with academic performance per capita.

The report states, “For each indicator, the highest scoring institution is assigned a score of 100, and other institutions are calculated as a percentage of the top score.” This approach ensures a comprehensive analysis of each university’s academic impact.

Canada’s Top Universities in 2025

The following are the top ten universities in Canada as per the latest rankings, along with their notable achievements:

1. **University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.**
– National ranking: First
– World ranking: 25
– Total score: 41.5
– Best-ranked subject: Sociology
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 16.1
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 23.9
– Highly cited researchers: 38.9
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 36.2

2. **University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.**
– National ranking: Second
– World ranking: 53
– Total score: 32.3
– Best-ranked subject: Geography
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 13.5
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 16.9
– Highly cited researchers: 30.9
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 29.1

3. **McGill University, Montreal, Que.**
– National ranking: Third
– World ranking: 76
– Total score: 28.6
– Best-ranked subject: Library and Information Science
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 28.8
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 0
– Highly cited researchers: 25.5
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 28.8

4. **McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.**
– National ranking: Fourth to fifth
– World ranking: 101 to 150
– Total score: 28.6
– Best-ranked subject: Public Health
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 17.7
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 16.9
– Highly cited researchers: 27.1
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 11.7

5. **University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.**
– National ranking: Fourth to fifth
– World ranking: 101 to 150
– Total score: 26.3
– Best-ranked subject: Agricultural Sciences
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 10.2
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 15.6
– Highly cited researchers: 20.8
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 18.2

6. **University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.**
– National ranking: Sixth to eighth
– World ranking: 151 to 200
– Total score: 20.8
– Best-ranked subject: Veterinary Sciences
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 0
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 0
– Highly cited researchers: 24.6
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 15.3

7. **University of Montreal, Montreal, Que.**
– National ranking: Sixth to eighth
– World ranking: 151 to 200
– Total score: 24.0
– Best-ranked subject: Computer Science and Engineering
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 10.2
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 0
– Highly cited researchers: 16.1
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 21.6

8. **University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont.**
– National ranking: Sixth to eighth
– World ranking: 151 to 200
– Total score: 21.8
– Best-ranked subject: Hospitality and Tourism Management
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 0
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 13.5
– Highly cited researchers: 23.7
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 10.8

9. **Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont.**
– National ranking: Ninth to tenth
– World ranking: 201 to 300
– Total score: 23.2
– Best-ranked subject: Education
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 12.5
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 19.1
– Highly cited researchers: 11.4
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 9.3

10. **University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.**
– National ranking: Ninth to tenth
– World ranking: 201 to 300
– Total score: 21.5
– Best-ranked subject: Public Health
– Alumni Nobel Prize winners: 0
– Staff Nobel Prize winners: 0
– Highly cited researchers: 20.8
– Papers published in Nature and Science (2020 to 2024): 11.8

These rankings underscore the strength of Canadian universities on the global stage, reflecting their commitment to excellence in research and education. The comprehensive evaluation not only highlights individual achievements but also serves as a benchmark for prospective students and academic professionals seeking to understand the landscape of higher education in Canada.