Maple News reports that the University of Toronto has once again secured the top spot in the 2026 Times Higher Education Canada University Rankings, maintaining its long-standing leadership in Canadian academia. The annual report evaluates universities based on teaching quality, research impact, international outlook, and industry income.
The 2026 rankings feature 34 Canadian institutions in total. Following close behind the University of Toronto are McGill University—which has climbed to second place this year—and the University of British Columbia, which now ranks third nationally after previously holding the second spot in 2025.
The rest of the top ten has remained stable compared to the previous year. McMaster University, the University of Alberta, and Université de Montréal occupy the fourth through sixth spots, respectively. The University of Waterloo, University of Ottawa, University of Calgary, and Western University round out the top ten.
In the middle tier, Queen’s University, Simon Fraser University, and University of Victoria share the 11th position. Dalhousie University and University of Saskatchewan are tied for 14th place. Meanwhile, Université Laval, University of Guelph, and York University are grouped together at 16th.
The rankings also illuminate the strength of regional universities such as Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Manitoba, and University of Windsor, all tied at 19th. Other institutions like Toronto Metropolitan University, University of New Brunswick, and Concordia University hold their ground within the top 25.
These rankings not only highlight academic excellence across the country but also play a key role in helping international and domestic students make informed choices about where to pursue higher education in Canada. With consistent performance from its leading universities, Canada continues to be a globally respected destination for quality education.
According to Maple News, Times Higher Education’s rankings serve as a trusted indicator for students, educators, and policymakers. The methodology emphasizes performance across various academic pillars, offering an evidence-based view of each institution’s strengths.