Maple News reports that Canada has leapfrogged the United States in university research according to MeasuresHE’s 2026 Country 100 report. Canada ranks third in research among the top five countries, with the United States in fourth place. The top five overall are: United Kingdom (1st, 95.2), Netherlands (2nd, 91.7), Canada (3rd, 89.4), United States (4th, 89.0), and Sweden (5th, 88.3).
The Research score is designed to reflect the quality and global influence of research published by a country’s universities between 2020 and 2024, using metrics such as citation frequency and contributions to breakthrough knowledge.
Canada also outperforms the U.S. on academic integrity (Canada 100 vs. U.S. 99.6) and international integration (84.0 vs. 60.4). The measures are compiled across seven pillars, with the weighting: Research 35%; Global standing 20%; Openness 10%; Academic integrity 10%; Demographics and investment 10%; International integration 10%; and Sustainability 8%. The final country score is the weighted sum of performance across these pillars, with the Research pillar carrying the most influence as a gauge of leadership and impact in higher education.
MeasuresHE, a rising analytics firm dedicated to higher education metrics, published the ranking on April 28, 2026, examining the 100 best countries for higher education. Founded in 2025 by data analysts David Watkins and Billy Wong (who previously contributed to Times Higher Education’s global rankings), MeasuresHE aims to provide a forward-looking view of global higher education dynamics. For prospective students and potential immigration pathways, the findings underscore Canada’s growing prominence in research excellence and international collaboration — factors that often accompany opportunities for study and long-term residence.