2023 Maclean's University Rankings: Comprehensive Schools

Find out which schools made Maclean's list for Canada's best comprehensive universities in 2023.

Have you ever wondered which schools are the best of the best? Some schools may have better undergraduate programs, some may have better graduate programs, some may excel in one specific program, and so on. But, which schools are the best, well-rounded educational institutes? Well, look no futher! Maclean’s has released their 2023 rankings for Canada’s best comprehensive universities. If you're looking for more recent rankings, check out the Maclean's University Rankings 2024: Comprehensive Schools.

These are universities that have a significant amount of research activity and a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs without focusing heavily on any one area in particular. Maclean's has determined this list using 12 performance indicators, such as student awards, student/faculty ratio, total research dollars, scholarships/bursaries, and more. Explore Maclean's University Rankings 2023: Methodology for more information.

Check out 2023’s rankings:

1. Simon Fraser University

Last year's rank: 1*

The Simon Fraser University is Canada's leading comprehensive university. With over 35,000 students and three vibrant campuses, the university equips their students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that prepare them for life in this ever-changing and challenging world.

2. University of Victoria

Last year's rank: 1*

The University of Victoria is located in Victoria, British Columbia. It is one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities with 22,000 students. The University of Victoria combines three elements: dynamic learning, vital impact, and their extraordinary academic environment. Together, these three elements nurture an environment of discovery, innovation, and creativity.

3. University of Waterloo

Last year's rank: 3

With more than 42,000 students attending annually, the University of Waterloo is #1 in Canada for experiential learning and employer-student connections. UW fosters innovation to solve problems on a global scale.

4. University of Guelph

Last year's rank: 4

The University of Guelph offers more than 80 undergrad programs, more than 100 graduate and post-doctoral study programs, co-op education in a wide variety of disciplines, support for international students, continuing education for lifelong learners, diploma programs, and access to a unique form of higher education at the University of Guelph-Humber.

There you have it — Canada's 2023 best comprehensive schools! Don't worry if you don't see a school that you're interested in on this list. Rankings aren't everything, and you need to choose the best school for you! Remember to consider program offerings, campus feel, extracurricular activities, and other factors that make each campus unique!