81 Best Art & Design schools in Canada

Updated: July 18, 2023

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 77.2M citations received by 2.86M academic papers made by 81 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

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Enrollment: 95,055
Founded: 1827

2. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Art & Design

#18 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Enrollment: 59,659
Founded: 1908

3. McGill University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#30 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 40,036
Founded: 1821

4. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#31 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1908

5. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#51 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1966

6. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Art & Design

#52 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Enrollment: 35,900
Founded: 1957

7. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Art & Design

#53 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 1965

8. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#57 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Enrollment: 53,000
Founded: 1959

9. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#64 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Enrollment: 45,360
Founded: 1878

10. Western University

Ontario | London

For Art & Design

#65 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Enrollment: 27,300
Founded: 1878

11. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Art & Design

#69 in North America

#128 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

12. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Art & Design

#71 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Enrollment: 30,117
Founded: 1887

13. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Art & Design

#78 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Enrollment: 30,386
Founded: 1841

14. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Art & Design

#94 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 20,492
Founded: 1963

15. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#103 in North America

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 18,500
Founded: 1818

16. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Art & Design

#105 in North America

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Enrollment: 27,823
Founded: 1942

17. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#106 in North America

#234 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

18. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#113 in North America

#257 in the World

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

19. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Art & Design

#115 in North America

#260 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Enrollment: 20,953
Founded: 1907

20. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Art & Design

#116 in North America

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

21. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#126 in North America

#337 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1974

22. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Art & Design

#137 in North America

#385 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1925

23. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#167 in North America

#479 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

24. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#173 in North America

#499 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

25. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Art & Design

#182 in North America

#528 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

26. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#186 in North America

#538 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1969

27. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Art & Design

#188 in North America

#546 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1785

28. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Art & Design

#189 in North America

#551 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Enrollment: 16,092
Founded: 1857

29. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Art & Design

#192 in North America

#554 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Enrollment: 18,824
Founded: 1964

30. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Art & Design

#208 in North America

#621 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Founded: 1911

31. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Art & Design

#251 in North America

#788 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

32. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Art & Design

#264 in North America

#825 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Founded: 1963

33. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#267 in North America

#830 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

34. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Art & Design

#283 in North America

#879 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Enrollment: 8,059
Male:Female: 42:58
Founded: 1967

35. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#284 in North America

#897 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

36. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#293 in North America

#930 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1871

37. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Art & Design

#307 in North America

#992 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 2002

38. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Art & Design

#333 in North America

#1106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 9,323
Founded: 1960

39. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Art & Design

#348 in North America

#1152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1965

40. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#352 in North America

#1164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

41. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Art & Design

#367 in North America

#1246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1853

42. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Art & Design

#379 in North America

#1311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

43. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Art & Design

#388 in North America

#1333 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1990

44. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Art & Design

#408 in North America

#1423 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1969

45. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Art & Design

#426 in North America

#1501 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Founded: 1838

46. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#430 in North America

#1513 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Enrollment: 7,281
Founded: 1802

47. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Art & Design

#434 in North America

#1523 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1969

48. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Art & Design

#496 in North America

#1753 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 4,336
Founded: 1969

49. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#502 in North America

#1771 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Enrollment: 4,050
Founded: 1873

50. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Art & Design

#534 in North America

#1898 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1864

51. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#539 in North America

#1915 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1971

52. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Art & Design

#555 in North America

#1953 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1839

53. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Art & Design

#560 in North America

#1967 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Enrollment: 2,756
Founded: 1843

54. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Art & Design

#592 in North America

#2099 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1981

55. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Art & Design

#595 in North America

#2113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1899

56. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#625 in North America

#2255 in the World

Enrollment: 12,577
Founded: 1910

57. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Art & Design

#644 in North America

#2335 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 4,838
Founded: 1992

58. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Art & Design

#649 in North America

#2378 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

59. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Art & Design

#672 in North America

#2467 in the World

Founded: 1995

60. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#678 in North America

#2488 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

61. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Art & Design

#682 in North America

#2503 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Enrollment: 16,000
Founded: 1969

62. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Art & Design

#699 in North America

#2570 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 3,500
Founded: 1974

63. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Art & Design

#700 in North America

#2575 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 1986

64. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Art & Design

#714 in North America

#2619 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 1969

65. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Art & Design

#777 in North America

#2877 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

66. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Art & Design

#788 in North America

#2909 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

67. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#864 in North America

#3231 in the World

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

68. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Art & Design

#873 in North America

#3262 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1981

69. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#969 in North America

#3699 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Founded: 1789

70. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Art & Design

#1003 in North America

#3863 in the World

Founded: 1960

71. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Art & Design

#1011 in North America

#3903 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Enrollment: 420
Male:Female: 51:49
Founded: 2007

72. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#1050 in North America

#4068 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 989
Founded: 1818

73. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Art & Design

#1097 in North America

#4273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1970

74. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#1102 in North America

#4292 in the World

Founded: 1969

75. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Art & Design

#1104 in North America

#4294 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

76. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Art & Design

#1152 in North America

#4494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Founded: 1890

77. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#1157 in North America

#4518 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

78. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Art & Design

#1162 in North America

#4570 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

79. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Art & Design

#1192 in North America

#4681 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 1,700
Founded: 1925

80. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Art & Design

#1213 in North America

#4775 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1968

81. NSCAD University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#1269 in North America

#5019 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.