90 Best universities for Philosophy 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 Philosophy. A graph of 24.2M citations received by 844K academic papers made by 90 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 Philosophy

#4 in North America

#5 in the World

Enrollment: 102,431
Founded: 1827

2. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Philosophy

#9 in North America

#16 in the World

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

3. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Philosophy

#20 in North America

#29 in the World

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

4. McGill University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Philosophy

#29 in North America

#48 in the World

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

5. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Philosophy

#36 in North America

#64 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

6. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Philosophy

#40 in North America

#70 in the World

Enrollment: 56,000
Founded: 1852

7. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Philosophy

#42 in North America

#72 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

8. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Philosophy

#51 in North America

#108 in the World

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

9. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Philosophy

#55 in North America

#120 in the World

Founded: 1957

10. Western University

Ontario | London

For Philosophy

#56 in North America

#121 in the World

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

11. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Philosophy

#58 in North America

#125 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

12. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Philosophy

#60 in North America

#149 in the World

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

13. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Philosophy

#70 in North America

#194 in the World

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

14. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Philosophy

#75 in North America

#215 in the World

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

15. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Philosophy

#78 in North America

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

16. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Philosophy

#109 in North America

#361 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

17. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Philosophy

#112 in North America

#371 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

18. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Philosophy

#113 in North America

#372 in the World

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

19. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Philosophy

#115 in North America

#381 in the World

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

20. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Philosophy

#120 in North America

#415 in the World

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

21. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Philosophy

#125 in North America

#444 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

22. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Philosophy

#135 in North America

#491 in the World

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

23. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Philosophy

#136 in North America

#506 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

24. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Philosophy

#178 in North America

#716 in the World

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

25. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Philosophy

#179 in North America

#718 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

26. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Philosophy

#180 in North America

#727 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

27. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Philosophy

#184 in North America

#759 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

28. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Philosophy

#194 in North America

#795 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

29. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Philosophy

#195 in North America

#800 in the World

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

30. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Philosophy

#196 in North America

#802 in the World

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

31. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Philosophy

#197 in North America

#803 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

32. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Philosophy

#211 in North America

#857 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

33. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Philosophy

#216 in North America

#891 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 1964

34. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Philosophy

#251 in North America

#1105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

35. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Philosophy

#256 in North America

#1149 in the World

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

36. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Philosophy

#281 in North America

#1240 in the World

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

37. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Philosophy

#285 in North America

#1251 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Founded: 1967

38. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Philosophy

#302 in North America

#1316 in the World

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

39. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Philosophy

#315 in North America

#1382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

40. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Philosophy

#320 in North America

#1423 in the World

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

41. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Philosophy

#325 in North America

#1450 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

42. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Philosophy

#354 in North America

#1628 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

43. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Philosophy

#358 in North America

#1640 in the World

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

44. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Philosophy

#397 in North America

#1796 in the World

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

45. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Philosophy

#400 in North America

#1811 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

46. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Philosophy

#416 in North America

#1917 in the World

Founded: 2002

47. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Philosophy

#424 in North America

#1954 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

48. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Philosophy

#440 in North America

#2020 in the World

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

49. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Philosophy

#480 in North America

#2241 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1974

50. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Philosophy

#486 in North America

#2284 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

51. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Philosophy

#510 in North America

#2410 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

52. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Philosophy

#516 in North America

#2430 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

53. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Philosophy

#519 in North America

#2436 in the World

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

54. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Philosophy

#557 in North America

#2580 in the World

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

55. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Philosophy

#558 in North America

#2581 in the World

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

56. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Philosophy

#570 in North America

#2625 in the World

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

57. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Philosophy

#581 in North America

#2667 in the World

Founded: 1910

58. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Philosophy

#594 in North America

#2716 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

59. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Philosophy

#614 in North America

#2799 in the World

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

60. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Philosophy

#623 in North America

#2816 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

61. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Philosophy

#637 in North America

#2886 in the World

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

62. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Philosophy

#644 in North America

#2913 in the World

Founded: 1969

63. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Philosophy

#676 in North America

#3063 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

64. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Philosophy

#698 in North America

#3173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

65. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Philosophy

#699 in North America

#3175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

66. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Philosophy

#736 in North America

#3351 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1818

67. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Philosophy

#752 in North America

#3423 in the World

Founded: 1995

68. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Philosophy

#816 in North America

#3706 in the World

Founded: 1960

69. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Philosophy

#820 in North America

#3736 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

70. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Philosophy

#853 in North America

#3887 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

71. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Philosophy

#874 in North America

#3960 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

72. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Philosophy

#896 in North America

#4033 in the World

Founded: 1981

73. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Philosophy

#910 in North America

#4102 in the World

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

74. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Philosophy

#961 in North America

#4306 in the World

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

75. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Philosophy

#993 in North America

#4425 in the World

Founded: 1789

76. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Philosophy

#1001 in North America

#4445 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

77. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Philosophy

#1090 in North America

#4817 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

78. SAIT Polytechnic

Alberta | Calgary

For Philosophy

#1147 in North America

#5008 in the World

Founded: 1916

79. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Philosophy

#1210 in North America

#5188 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

80. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Philosophy

#1231 in North America

#5247 in the World

Founded: 1968

81. Dominican University College

Ontario | Ottawa

For Philosophy

#1284 in North America

#5420 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1899

82. University Canada West

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Philosophy

#1386 in North America

#5750 in the World

Founded: 2005

83. First Nations University of Canada

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Philosophy

#1424 in North America

#5870 in the World

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

84. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Philosophy

#1434 in North America

#5891 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

85. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Philosophy

#1457 in North America

#5937 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1921

86. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Philosophy

#1489 in North America

#6027 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1925

87. Canadian Mennonite University

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Philosophy

#1512 in North America

#6120 in the World

Founded: 2000

88. Burman University

Alberta | Lacombe

For Philosophy

#1586 in North America

#6360 in the World

Founded: 1907

89. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta | Edmonton

For Philosophy

#1603 in North America

#6427 in the World

Founded: 1962

90. NSCAD University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Philosophy

#1649 in North America

#6588 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 820
Founded: 1887

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

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