Universities in Calgary, Canada
- Rankings & Reviews -

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Calgary
  • 12 Mar, 2025: QS World University Rankings By Subject (Business & Management Studies) updated with SAIT, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology ranked highest among 38 listed universities in Calgary.
  • 03 Mar, 2025: Scimago Institutions published most recent results of Scimago Institutions Rankings. Includes 2 universities from Calgary.
  • 18 Feb, 2025: Publication of THE World Reputation Rankings. University of Calgary ranked #151.
  • 17 Jan, 2025: Publication of THE World University Rankings by Subject (Business and Economics). University of Calgary with highest ranking among universities in Calgary ranked #301.

Calgary, found in the province of Alberta, is known for its spectacular natural trails, reduced taxes, and higher wages than the national average.

Great ways to spend your free time in Calgary include taking a walk in Bowmont Park or Fish Creek, or enjoying the abundance of fun indoor activities such as their Bolder Climbing Center, Trampoline Center, or even Laser Tag and Gaming Cafes.

For those who are in the mood for enjoying some nightlife, Calgary offers numerous popular hangouts in the Downtown area.


Rankings of universities in Calgary, Canada 2025

Student satisfaction: 4.1 / 5.0 (based on 1478 student ratings)
Card image

  • #9 
  • #201 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 09 October, 2024]
  • #11 
  • #198 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 04 June, 2024]
  • #5 
  • #150 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 03 March, 2025]

Student satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0 (based on 1053 student ratings)
Card image

  • #62 
  • #3840 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 03 March, 2025]
  • #53 
  • #2754 
Nature Index: Research Leaders Academic Sector
[Published 15 June, 2024]
  • #56 
  • #2957 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]

#3
Canada

SAIT, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Student satisfaction: 4.0 / 5.0 (based on 899 student ratings)
Card image

  • #72 
  • #6367 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 12 July, 2024]


#4
Canada

Ambrose University College

Student satisfaction: 4.1 / 5.0 (based on 35 student ratings)
Card image

  • #91 
  • #10317 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 12 July, 2024]

#5
Canada

St. Mary's University College

Student satisfaction: 3.9 / 5.0 (based on 28 student ratings)
Card image


Highest subject rankings of universities in Calgary

Veterinary Sciences GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#47 
University of Calgary
Psychology URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#71 
University of Calgary
Education GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#76 
University of Calgary
Zoology URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#91 
University of Calgary
Chemical Engineering GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#101 
University of Calgary
Earth Sciences URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#147 
University of Calgary
Law GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#201 
University of Calgary
Business URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#204 
University of Calgary
Mathematics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#251 
University of Calgary
Computer Science THE World University Rankings by Subject
#301 
University of Calgary

Student Opinions About Studying in Calgary

“Calgary is the kind of place where it really helps to know what you like and seek it out, because it’s not the kind of city where everything is presented to you in the city center. There should be something for everyone here.”

“This city is known for being a little bit more conservative than the more metropolitan cities in Canada, and is sometimes called the Canadian Texas. The people are polite, but it can be hard to get the locals to stop seeing you as an outsider even after you’ve lived here a long time.”

“In my opinion local employers are really looking for people who plan to live here long term, so that seems to be one of the reasons that they tend to shy away from hiring students. You can still find something, it’s just a challenge.”

Calgary Key Facts for International Students

PROS

  • International students qualify for healthcare in Alberta just by demonstrating that they live in Alberta, and that they’re enrolled in a full-time university course.

  • The minimum wage in Alberta is among the highest in the country. Coupled with lower tax rates than many other Canadian cities, there are opportunities to do well here.

  • There are activities for almost every interest, hobby and taste in Calgary, from nature trails, to video game and board game cafés, to indoor and outdoor sport installations for most popular sports but also for more intense activities like rock climbing.

CONS

  • There had to be a catch with the high wages and low taxes. Alberta’s daily living costs are well known for being higher than in other major Canadian cities and provinces.

  • The winters in Alberta are not for the faint of heart, as temperatures sometimes drop to minus 30 or 40 degrees celsius. Those who have a car are recommended to learn to drive in icy conditions so as not to add to Calgary’s ice-related car accident statistics!

  • Unemployment rates are relatively high in Calgary, so international students without an excellent level of English are likely to struggle even more finding a job.


4 out of 5 Universities in Calgary Ranked in at least one ranking

24 Different Rankings list Universities in Calgary (18 institution and 6 subject rankings)

23 Global Rankings rank Universities in Calgary Among TOP 200

Population: 1020000

Elevation: 1048 m. above sea level

Time: GMT -7

District/province: Alberta, Calgary

Living costs for students in Calgary:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 86* (14% cheaper than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 67* (33% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 77* (23% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 7.17 C$
  • Plug Type A
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Plug Type B
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz

Map with location of universities in Calgary

google static map google map control google map control

Student Life in Calgary.

  • Calgary - Beautiful city, Alberta, Canada
    1/1

FAQ

University of Calgary ranks #1 in Calgary in our meta ranking composed of 108 university rankings.

Among all universities in Calgary University of Calgary is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 33 rankings where University of Calgary is listed.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Medicine & Health (Veterinary Sciences). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Social Studies & Humanities (Psychology). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Education (Education). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Natural Sciences (Zoology). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Engineering (Chemical Engineering). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Agriculture (Earth Sciences). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Law (Law). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Business (Business). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

University of Calgary is ranked best in Calgary for Languages & Literature (Linguistics). See all rankings for the University of Calgary.

Ranking publishers

4icu

view methodology

view methodology

British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

view methodology

view methodology

CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

view methodology

Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:

Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity

view methodology

NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

view methodology

Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index: Research Leaders Academic Sector:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

view methodology

RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

view methodology

RUY

Criteria used in ranking -Research Infosource: Canada's Top 50 Research Universities:

Total Sponsored Research Income 20% Research Intensity per Faculty 20% Total Number of Publications 20% Publication Intensity 20% Publication Impact 10% Research Intensity per Graduate Student 10%

view methodology

Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

view methodology

ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

view methodology

StuDocu

view methodology

THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

Research Reputation 66,6% Teaching Reputation 33,3%

view methodology

view methodology

view methodology

view methodology

Urap

view methodology

Us News

view methodology

Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

view methodology