IVY LEAGUE
University of Toronto Brand power, unrivalled research, grand tradition, college system¬—all nestled snugly in the big city.
McGill University Big name globally, top reputation, attractive campus and who doesn't want to live in Montreal?
Queen's University Sandstone oasis, Oxbridge ambience, very smart (and occasionally overexcited) students.
University of Western Ontario Bucolic campus, high-achieving students and a consistent top performer in the Canadian University Report student survey.
University of British Columbia Queen of the West Coast; quality teaching and research—and all of this in beautiful Vancouver.
University of Alberta Top reputation for teaching and research, punches above its weight in world rankings.
University of Waterloo Co-op pioneer, bustling tech-hub setting, grads highly prized by Bill Gates et al.
McMaster University Handsome Hamilton campus with a grand tradition of interdisciplinary education and outstanding research.
BOUTIQUE SCHOOLS
Mount Allison University Undergrad-focused jewel of New Brunswick, with high name recognition among employers.
St. Francis Xavier University Excellent reputation, strong alumni network, vibrant school spirit and located in lovely Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Acadia University The archetypal small, leafy campus with an intimate ambience and strong academic tradition.
Quest University If your folks can afford $28,000 a year for tuition and fees, this private British Columbia campus is getting good reviews for its liberal arts degrees.
University of King's College Dalhousie's debonair cousin is rightly renowned for its Foundation Year program. And it's located in Halifax, an energetic student town.
401 DREAM TEAM
Southern Ontario has such a high concentration of schools, it's hard to stand out. But the University of Guelph has done pioneering work on improving the undergraduate experience, while students in our annual survey repeatedly praise the education at Wilfrid Laurier University and Trent University.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
University of Ontario Institute of Technology Boasts sparkling facilities and is known for preparing students for careers in tomorrow's industries.
Mount Royal University and Grant MacEwan University The Alberta upstarts recently broke away from the college pack and are aiming to prove their worth by bringing applied-teaching discipline to the ivory towers. In British Columbia, it's Capilano University and others who are giving the heavyweights a run for their money.
URBAN AND HIP
Ryerson University Making waves by emphasizing its digital-age cred and transforming the landscape around its expanding, downtown Toronto campus.
Concordia University Cramped and drab compared to neighbour McGill, but way cooler, boasting some cutting-edge programs.
York University Commuter-campus criticisms aside, it boasts best-in-class programs in many humanities and science fields.
University of Winnipeg Yes, we know what you're thinking, but president Lloyd Axworthy is thinking big and increasing the school's relevance.
REGIONAL HEAVYWEIGHTS
Dalhousie, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Memorial, Victoria and others. Althought they largely serve the local community, many boast high-quality and unique programs as well as excellent research facilities.
FRANCOPHONE
Université de Montreal and Université Laval Quebec's contenders for the Canadian Ivy league, both are research heavyweights with a stellar reputation.
Université de Sherbrooke Always a good performer in our student survey, it also has solid co-op programs.