89 Best Law 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 Law. A graph of 23.1M citations received by 774K academic papers made by 89 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.

1. University of Toronto

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#5 in North America

#6 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

2. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#19 in North America

#22 in the World

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

3. McGill University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#39 in North America

#55 in the World

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

4. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Law

#43 in North America

#63 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

5. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#45 in North America

#65 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

6. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Law

#46 in North America

#68 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

7. Western University

Ontario | London

For Law

#56 in North America

#85 in the World

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

8. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#57 in North America

#86 in the World

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

9. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#61 in North America

#94 in the World

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

10. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#66 in North America

#102 in the World

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

11. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Law

#73 in North America

#123 in the World

Founded: 1957

12. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Law

#83 in North America

#142 in the World

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

13. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Law

#91 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

14. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#97 in North America

#183 in the World

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

15. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Law

#104 in North America

#202 in the World

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

16. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#114 in North America

#232 in the World

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

17. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Law

#116 in North America

#238 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

18. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#123 in North America

#249 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

19. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Law

#142 in North America

#310 in the World

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

20. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Law

#145 in North America

#321 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

21. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#148 in North America

#335 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

22. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#152 in North America

#351 in the World

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

23. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#158 in North America

#365 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

24. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Law

#189 in North America

#482 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

25. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Law

#195 in North America

#510 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

26. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Law

#212 in North America

#566 in the World

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

27. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Law

#219 in North America

#587 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 1964

28. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Law

#232 in North America

#634 in the World

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

29. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#247 in North America

#683 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

30. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Law

#250 in North America

#697 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

31. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Law

#262 in North America

#744 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

32. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#323 in North America

#981 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

33. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Law

#330 in North America

#1006 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

34. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Law

#331 in North America

#1010 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Founded: 1967

35. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Law

#336 in North America

#1025 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

36. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Law

#342 in North America

#1058 in the World

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

37. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Law

#352 in North America

#1087 in the World

Founded: 2002

38. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#366 in North America

#1162 in the World

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

39. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#379 in North America

#1229 in the World

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

40. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Law

#398 in North America

#1294 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

41. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Law

#413 in North America

#1355 in the World

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

42. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Law

#433 in North America

#1433 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

43. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Law

#447 in North America

#1505 in the World

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

44. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#450 in North America

#1510 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

45. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Law

#489 in North America

#1676 in the World

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

46. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#539 in North America

#1893 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

47. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Law

#549 in North America

#1928 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

48. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#564 in North America

#1981 in the World

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

49. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#568 in North America

#1998 in the World

Founded: 1910

50. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Law

#572 in North America

#2005 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

51. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Law

#575 in North America

#2025 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

52. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Law

#586 in North America

#2054 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1974

53. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Law

#612 in North America

#2161 in the World

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

54. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Law

#629 in North America

#2238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

55. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Law

#645 in North America

#2302 in the World

Founded: 1995

56. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Law

#677 in North America

#2475 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

57. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Law

#683 in North America

#2504 in the World

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

58. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Law

#702 in North America

#2574 in the World

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

59. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#714 in North America

#2608 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

60. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Law

#718 in North America

#2638 in the World

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

61. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Law

#729 in North America

#2701 in the World

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

62. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Law

#774 in North America

#2939 in the World

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

63. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Law

#792 in North America

#3012 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

64. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Law

#797 in North America

#3040 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

65. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Law

#827 in North America

#3170 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

66. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Law

#831 in North America

#3199 in the World

Founded: 1981

67. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#840 in North America

#3258 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

68. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#841 in North America

#3261 in the World

Founded: 1969

69. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Law

#862 in North America

#3347 in the World

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

70. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Law

#884 in North America

#3421 in the World

Founded: 1960

71. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Law

#1021 in North America

#4065 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

72. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#1072 in North America

#4277 in the World

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

73. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#1078 in North America

#4302 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

74. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Law

#1102 in North America

#4441 in the World

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

75. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Law

#1156 in North America

#4665 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

76. University Canada West

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#1226 in North America

#4985 in the World

Founded: 2005

77. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#1256 in North America

#5102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1818

78. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Law

#1316 in North America

#5334 in the World

Founded: 1968

79. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#1414 in North America

#5670 in the World

Founded: 1789

80. SAIT Polytechnic

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#1425 in North America

#5693 in the World

Founded: 1916

81. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Law

#1456 in North America

#5822 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

82. First Nations University of Canada

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Law

#1494 in North America

#5932 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1976

83. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#1518 in North America

#6026 in the World

Founded: 1962

84. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#1522 in North America

#6040 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1921

85. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#1555 in North America

#6142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1925

86. Canadian Mennonite University

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#1567 in North America

#6161 in the World

Founded: 2000

87. Burman University

Alberta | Lacombe

For Law

#1589 in North America

#6218 in the World

Founded: 1907

88. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Law

#1631 in North America

#6355 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

89. NSCAD University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#1693 in North America

#6614 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1887

The best cities to study Law in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa.

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Canada

Broadcast Journalism31

Classics and Ancient History53

Communications and Public Relations68

Criminology and Criminal Justice49

Early Childhood Education36

Education Majors74

Forensic Science29

Gender Studies64

Human Rights Law36

Intellectual Property and Patent Law32

International Law30

International Relations and Diplomacy35

Journalism and Digital Media41

Law Enforcement34

Library and Information science65

Media Studies57

Military science35

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution35

Occupational Safety and Health38

Political Economy47

Political Science90

Public Policy / Administration50

Radio and Television broadcasting29

Special Education33

Sports / Exercise science41

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies76

Urban and Regional planning34