88 Best Law schools in Canada

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Law. A graph of 16.3M citations received by 677K academic papers made by 88 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

#5 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

2. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#18 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 20,893
Founded: 1908

3. McGill University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#39 in North America

#53 in the World

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

4. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#42 in North America

#60 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

5. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Law

#44 in North America

#65 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

6. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Law

#45 in North America

#66 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

7. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#55 in North America

#82 in the World

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

8. Western University

Ontario | London

For Law

#59 in North America

#87 in the World

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

9. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#62 in North America

#95 in the World

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

10. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#68 in North America

#112 in the World

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

11. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Law

#75 in North America

#122 in the World

Enrollment: 35,900
Founded: 1957

12. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Law

#85 in North America

#144 in the World

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

13. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Law

#89 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

14. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#99 in North America

#183 in the World

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

15. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Law

#114 in North America

#223 in the World

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

16. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#116 in North America

#228 in the World

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

17. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Law

#121 in North America

#238 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

18. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#128 in North America

#253 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

19. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Law

#146 in North America

#307 in the World

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

20. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Law

#150 in North America

#334 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

21. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#156 in North America

#352 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

22. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#174 in North America

#411 in the World

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

23. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Law

#184 in North America

#449 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

24. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#194 in North America

#485 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

25. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Law

#197 in North America

#502 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

26. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Law

#211 in North America

#538 in the World

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

27. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Law

#221 in North America

#574 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Enrollment: 18,824
Founded: 1964

28. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Law

#228 in North America

#601 in the World

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

29. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#246 in North America

#660 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

30. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Law

#252 in North America

#682 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

31. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Law

#258 in North America

#705 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

32. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#295 in North America

#842 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

33. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Law

#325 in North America

#946 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

34. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Law

#327 in North America

#956 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

35. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Law

#328 in North America

#959 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 8,059
Male:Female: 42:58
Founded: 1967

36. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Law

#351 in North America

#1053 in the World

Founded: 2002

37. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#367 in North America

#1110 in the World

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

38. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#371 in North America

#1131 in the World

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

39. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Law

#400 in North America

#1237 in the World

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

40. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Law

#405 in North America

#1252 in the World

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

41. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Law

#415 in North America

#1280 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

42. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Law

#420 in North America

#1295 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

43. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Law

#438 in North America

#1377 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

44. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Law

#461 in North America

#1455 in the World

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

45. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Law

#540 in North America

#1761 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

46. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Law

#544 in North America

#1784 in the World

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

47. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Law

#556 in North America

#1825 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

48. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#560 in North America

#1833 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1971

49. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#564 in North America

#1850 in the World

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

50. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#598 in North America

#1980 in the World

Enrollment: 12,577
Founded: 1910

51. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Law

#601 in North America

#2002 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 3,500
Founded: 1974

52. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Law

#613 in North America

#2045 in the World

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

53. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Law

#632 in North America

#2136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

54. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Law

#648 in North America

#2194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

55. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Law

#668 in North America

#2301 in the World

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

56. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Law

#672 in North America

#2318 in the World

Founded: 1995

57. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Law

#685 in North America

#2382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 4,838
Founded: 1992

58. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#697 in North America

#2426 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

59. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Law

#713 in North America

#2495 in the World

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

60. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Law

#731 in North America

#2592 in the World

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

61. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Law

#739 in North America

#2611 in the World

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

62. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#745 in North America

#2667 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

63. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Law

#779 in North America

#2802 in the World

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

64. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Law

#789 in North America

#2839 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

65. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Law

#805 in North America

#2925 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

66. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Law

#807 in North America

#2938 in the World

Founded: 1981

67. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Law

#812 in North America

#2977 in the World

Founded: 1969

68. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Law

#859 in North America

#3185 in the World

Founded: 1960

69. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Law

#887 in North America

#3288 in the World

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

70. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Law

#944 in North America

#3517 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

71. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#1071 in North America

#4141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

72. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Law

#1104 in North America

#4275 in the World

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

73. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Law

#1154 in North America

#4477 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

74. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Law

#1160 in North America

#4504 in the World

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

75. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#1250 in North America

#4900 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 989
Founded: 1818

76. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Law

#1301 in North America

#5087 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

77. First Nations University of Canada

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Law

#1356 in North America

#5298 in the World

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

78. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Law

#1386 in North America

#5410 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1968

79. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#1399 in North America

#5448 in the World

Founded: 1789

80. University Canada West

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#1428 in North America

#5548 in the World

Founded: 2005

81. SAIT Polytechnic

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#1448 in North America

#5623 in the World

Founded: 1916

82. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Law

#1477 in North America

#5731 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

83. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Law

#1521 in North America

#5906 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1921

84. Canadian Mennonite University

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Law

#1535 in North America

#5961 in the World

Founded: 2000

85. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta | Edmonton

For Law

#1539 in North America

#5982 in the World

Founded: 1962

86. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Law

#1547 in North America

#6003 in the World

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

87. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Law

#1639 in North America

#6357 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

88. NSCAD University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Law

#1663 in North America

#6491 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 Edmonton.

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Canada

Broadcast Journalism32

Classics and Ancient History51

Communications and Public Relations66

Criminology and Criminal Justice46

Early Childhood Education37

Education Majors72

Forensic Science28

Gender Studies62

Human Rights Law35

Intellectual Property and Patent Law32

International Law31

International Relations and Diplomacy36

Journalism and Digital Media37

Law Enforcement35

Library and Information science64

Media Studies53

Military science37

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution36

Occupational Safety and Health38

Political Economy44

Political Science90

Public Policy / Administration47

Radio and Television broadcasting30

Special Education33

Sports / Exercise science41

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies76

Urban and Regional planning29