89 Best Law schools in Canada

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Law. A graph of 25M citations received by 796K 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: 102,431
Founded: 1827

2. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#17 in North America

#20 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

#42 in North America

#61 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

5. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#44 in North America

#64 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. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#55 in North America

#85 in the World

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

8. Western University

Ontario | London

For Law

#56 in North America

#86 in the World

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

9. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#61 in North America

#97 in the World

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

10. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#64 in North America

#101 in the World

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

11. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Law

#72 in North America

#124 in the World

Founded: 1957

12. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Law

#80 in North America

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 35,612
Founded: 1841

13. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Law

#90 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

14. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#97 in North America

#186 in the World

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

15. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Law

#104 in North America

#204 in the World

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

16. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#115 in North America

#239 in the World

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

17. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Law

#116 in North America

#244 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

18. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#117 in North America

#247 in the World

Enrollment: 56,000
Founded: 1852

19. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Law

#142 in North America

#311 in the World

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

20. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Law

#145 in North America

#330 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

21. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#148 in North America

#341 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

22. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#152 in North America

#355 in the World

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

23. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#153 in North America

#356 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

24. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Law

#188 in North America

#484 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

25. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Law

#194 in North America

#512 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

26. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Law

#195 in North America

#513 in the World

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

27. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Law

#211 in North America

#570 in the World

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

28. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Law

#219 in North America

#586 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 1964

29. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#247 in North America

#685 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

30. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Law

#250 in North America

#704 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

31. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Law

#261 in North America

#743 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

32. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#321 in North America

#997 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

33. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Law

#329 in North America

#1015 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

34. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Law

#331 in North America

#1027 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Founded: 1967

35. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Law

#336 in North America

#1045 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

36. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Law

#341 in North America

#1074 in the World

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

37. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Law

#343 in North America

#1088 in the World

Founded: 2002

38. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#363 in North America

#1177 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

#1252 in the World

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

40. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Law

#397 in North America

#1325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

41. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Law

#410 in North America

#1374 in the World

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

42. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Law

#434 in North America

#1469 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

43. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Law

#441 in North America

#1502 in the World

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

44. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#446 in North America

#1514 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

45. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Law

#489 in North America

#1706 in the World

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

46. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#523 in North America

#1860 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

47. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Law

#550 in North America

#1964 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

48. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#554 in North America

#1979 in the World

Founded: 1910

49. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#560 in North America

#1995 in the World

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

50. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Law

#563 in North America

#2015 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

51. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Law

#575 in North America

#2052 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1974

52. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Law

#580 in North America

#2074 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

53. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Law

#604 in North America

#2164 in the World

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

54. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Law

#607 in North America

#2191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

55. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Law

#623 in North America

#2256 in the World

Founded: 1995

56. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Law

#674 in North America

#2496 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

57. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Law

#682 in North America

#2547 in the World

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

58. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#700 in North America

#2610 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

59. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Law

#703 in North America

#2625 in the World

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

60. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Law

#715 in North America

#2666 in the World

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

61. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Law

#721 in North America

#2706 in the World

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

62. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Law

#769 in North America

#2970 in the World

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

63. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Law

#789 in North America

#3053 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

64. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Law

#792 in North America

#3080 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

65. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Law

#819 in North America

#3198 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

66. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Law

#820 in North America

#3199 in the World

Founded: 1981

67. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#834 in North America

#3257 in the World

Founded: 1969

68. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#848 in North America

#3322 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

69. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Law

#850 in North America

#3324 in the World

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

70. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Law

#883 in North America

#3465 in the World

Founded: 1960

71. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Law

#1021 in North America

#4127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

72. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#1055 in North America

#4260 in the World

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

73. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#1071 in North America

#4302 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

74. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Law

#1089 in North America

#4442 in the World

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

75. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Law

#1140 in North America

#4628 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

76. University Canada West

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#1147 in North America

#4673 in the World

Founded: 2005

77. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#1245 in North America

#5116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1818

78. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Law

#1307 in North America

#5341 in the World

Founded: 1968

79. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#1406 in North America

#5689 in the World

Founded: 1789

80. SAIT Polytechnic

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#1426 in North America

#5740 in the World

Founded: 1916

81. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Law

#1442 in North America

#5811 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

82. First Nations University of Canada

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Law

#1491 in North America

#5950 in the World

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

83. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#1515 in North America

#6023 in the World

Founded: 1962

84. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#1520 in North America

#6041 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1921

85. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#1534 in North America

#6116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1925

86. Burman University

Alberta | Lacombe

For Law

#1564 in North America

#6177 in the World

Founded: 1907

87. Canadian Mennonite University

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#1573 in North America

#6195 in the World

Founded: 2000

88. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Law

#1635 in North America

#6380 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

89. NSCAD University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#1699 in North America

#6626 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 820
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 Law35

Intellectual Property and Patent Law32

International Law30

International Relations and Diplomacy35

Journalism and Digital Media42

Law Enforcement34

Library and Information science65

Media Studies57

Military science34

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution35

Occupational Safety and Health37

Political Economy48

Political Science90

Public Policy / Administration51

Radio and Television broadcasting30

Special Education33

Sports / Exercise science41

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies76

Urban and Regional planning35