83 Best Art & Design schools in Canada

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Art & Design. A graph of 6.7M citations received by 296K academic papers made by 83 universities in Canada was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. University of Toronto

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#3 in North America

#4 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

2. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Art & Design

#18 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 71,201
Founded: 1908

3. McGill University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#31 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 37,888
Founded: 1821

4. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#36 in North America

#50 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

5. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Art & Design

#53 in North America

#94 in the World

Founded: 1957

6. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#55 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1966

7. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#56 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Enrollment: 66,972
Founded: 1878

8. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#57 in North America

#100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 53,000
Founded: 1959

9. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Art & Design

#61 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

10. Western University

Ontario | London

For Art & Design

#62 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 21,836
Founded: 1878

11. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Art & Design

#70 in North America

#136 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

12. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Art & Design

#80 in North America

#156 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

13. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Art & Design

#86 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 30,386
Founded: 1841

14. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Art & Design

#97 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 9,109
Founded: 1942

15. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Art & Design

#100 in North America

#222 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

16. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#101 in North America

#226 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

17. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#103 in North America

#242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Enrollment: 30,867
Founded: 1818

18. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#113 in North America

#286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

19. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#115 in North America

#291 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 29,800
Founded: 1877

20. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Art & Design

#121 in North America

#315 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 20,953
Founded: 1907

21. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Art & Design

#122 in North America

#329 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

22. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#123 in North America

#330 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

23. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#140 in North America

#388 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1969

24. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Art & Design

#149 in North America

#438 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

25. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Art & Design

#178 in North America

#529 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

26. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#186 in North America

#555 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

27. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Art & Design

#192 in North America

#574 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 1964

28. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Art & Design

#205 in North America

#620 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 16,092
Founded: 1857

29. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Art & Design

#209 in North America

#641 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 32,036
Founded: 1785

30. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Art & Design

#220 in North America

#702 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

31. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Art & Design

#253 in North America

#820 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

32. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Art & Design

#278 in North America

#906 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

33. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Art & Design

#289 in North America

#946 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Founded: 1967

34. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#291 in North America

#962 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

35. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#306 in North America

#1026 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1871

36. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Art & Design

#309 in North America

#1038 in the World

Founded: 2002

37. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#344 in North America

#1215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

38. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Art & Design

#347 in North America

#1230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 9,323
Founded: 1960

39. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Art & Design

#356 in North America

#1267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

40. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Art & Design

#378 in North America

#1356 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Enrollment: 28,609
Founded: 1990

41. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Art & Design

#385 in North America

#1386 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

42. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Art & Design

#407 in North America

#1485 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

43. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Art & Design

#416 in North America

#1530 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1969

44. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Art & Design

#428 in North America

#1585 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 4,336
Founded: 1969

45. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#430 in North America

#1612 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 7,281
Founded: 1802

46. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Art & Design

#434 in North America

#1617 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1969

47. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#462 in North America

#1717 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

48. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Art & Design

#463 in North America

#1719 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

49. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#482 in North America

#1801 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 4,050
Founded: 1873

50. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Art & Design

#533 in North America

#2005 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Enrollment: 2,756
Founded: 1843

51. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Art & Design

#549 in North America

#2049 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

52. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Art & Design

#572 in North America

#2157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 72,100
Founded: 1839

53. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Art & Design

#577 in North America

#2171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1981

54. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#610 in North America

#2313 in the World

Founded: 1910

55. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Art & Design

#613 in North America

#2325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

56. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Art & Design

#622 in North America

#2372 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

57. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Art & Design

#637 in North America

#2429 in the World

Founded: 1995

58. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Art & Design

#647 in North America

#2474 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

59. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Art & Design

#650 in North America

#2499 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1974

60. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Art & Design

#658 in North America

#2531 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 16,000
Founded: 1969

61. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Art & Design

#680 in North America

#2647 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

62. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Art & Design

#702 in North America

#2727 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

63. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Art & Design

#703 in North America

#2735 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 1969

64. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#705 in North America

#2737 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

65. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#740 in North America

#2905 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 4,827
Founded: 1876

66. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Art & Design

#760 in North America

#2984 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

67. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Art & Design

#859 in North America

#3413 in the World

Enrollment: 420
Male:Female: 51:49
Founded: 2007

68. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Art & Design

#901 in North America

#3604 in the World

Founded: 1981

69. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#910 in North America

#3650 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

70. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Art & Design

#974 in North America

#3955 in the World

Founded: 1960

71. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Art & Design

#1067 in North America

#4348 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1970

72. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#1074 in North America

#4380 in the World

Founded: 1789

73. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#1093 in North America

#4458 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1818

74. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Art & Design

#1104 in North America

#4514 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

75. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#1135 in North America

#4612 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

76. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#1148 in North America

#4654 in the World

Founded: 1969

77. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Art & Design

#1158 in North America

#4696 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

78. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Art & Design

#1199 in North America

#4900 in the World

Founded: 1968

79. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Art & Design

#1254 in North America

#5077 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1925

80. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Art & Design

#1307 in North America

#5258 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

81. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#1326 in North America

#5356 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1921

82. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Art & Design

#1364 in North America

#5493 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

83. NSCAD University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#1367 in North America

#5501 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1887

The best cities to study Art & Design in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Edmonton.