13 Top Public Universities In Canada: Top Courses, Tuition Fee, Admission Process & More

It's no surprise that many overseas students pick Canada as their destination for higher education. 28 Canadian universities are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The country offers great quality and variety, with 15,000 academic programs offered by 96 public universities in Canada. Apart from the traditional in-class lectures, public universities employ a variety of practical teaching and training methods. 

It includes research-based projects, internships, group activities, one-on-one mentoring, etc. This helps you implement the concepts you learn, thereby making you stand out in employability assessments. This blog details the top Canada public colleges wherein you can choose to pursue the course of your choice. 

Top 13 Public Universities In Canada

31 universities of Canada are listed among the best educational institutions by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. We have chosen the top 13 public universities in Canada based on the quality of education, student-tutor ratio, international student experience, and employability score, amongst several other factors. We have detailed them below.

• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo
• York University
• Queen’s University
• McGill University
• Western University
• University of Ottawa
• Trent University
• Dalhousie University
• University of Regina
• University of New Brunswick
• Conestoga University
• University of Windsor

1. University of Toronto

University of Toronto is one of the top universities in the world for research opportunities driven to create and innovate. This multi-campus university provides education to over 93,000 students with over 23,000 international students and also offers 980 programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. International students who are willing to study in the best public universities in Canada will have the opportunity to learn from work with outstanding thought leaders through a multidisciplinary network of teaching and research faculty.

2. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is one of the first universities in the world to give undergraduate students access to state-of-the-art computers. It is one of the top public universities in Canada offering 100 undergraduate degrees along with 190 graduate programs with an excellent academic syllabus and goes the further mile to make sure its students are well-prepared to challenge the unsettling tasks of the real world.

3. York University

York university is one of the cheap public universities in Canada for international students and home to 28 research centres and 11 faculties. It includes Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Faculty of Science, Glendon College, Schulich School of Business, Lassonde School of Engineering, Faculty of Education and among others. The university features a great platform and innovative educational opportunities for international students to succeed well in their expressive careers.

4. Queen’s University

Queen’s university is one of the top universities in Canada, with a total number of 25,260 students from over 100 countries. It is highly opted for public relations courses in Canada.  It offers many undergraduate degree programs, over 125 graduate courses, and more than 140 online courses in its 8 faculties and schools. The university welcomes and supports students from all countries and backgrounds to a safe, vibrant and supportive community.

5. McGill University

McGill University is Canada's top-ranked university known for offering the best medical institutes in Canada. It offers different undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various subjects, such as business analytics, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, architecture, chemistry and anthropology. The university claims to have 400+ programs through its 50 research centres and institutes.

6. Western University

Western University is one of the affordable public universities in Canada that focuses on research-oriented tasks and has united with different universities and institutes for integrated programs. The university permits research in areas including musculoskeletal health, sustainability and green energy, child and youth development, neuroscience, global health equity and social innovation, wind engineering and, among others. 

7. University of Ottawa

University of Ottawa is the public universities in Canada for international students offering a wide variety of academic programs through its multiple faculties which are well-regarded for their quality of education and ranking in respective fields including faculty of science, faculty of engineering, faculty of law, faculty of health sciences, Telfer school of management and among others. The university has approximately 8,332 international students from 150 countries, accounting for 30% of the student population.

8. Trent University

Trent university is one of the cheapest public universities in Canada for international students offering certificate, degree, diploma and knowledge in diverse fields like accounting, anthropology, arts and science, African studies, archaeology and biology. It also supports international students by providing facilities in terms of academics, finances, housing and health insurance.

9. Dalhousie University

Dalhousie university falls under the list of public universities in Canada. It has a diverse mix of students worldwide, with over 115 countries signified. The university offers 147 undergraduate degrees and diplomas, 84 graduate programs, and 7 professional programs. To work while studying in Canada, this university permits international students to work in limitations as per immigration regulations.

10. University of Regina

University of Regina is ranked number one among comprehensive universities in international research collaboration by Resource Infosource Inc. It tops the list of list of public colleges in Canada for research-intensive courses. It offers 120 UG programs and 78 PG Degrees in over 15 disciplines, which include social work, health, business administration, engineering, media, and many more. International students from about 90 countries are studying in this university, which covers 17.7% of the total student population. 

11. University of New Brunswick

University of New Brunswick has campuses in Saint John and Fredericton. It falls in the list of top Government universities in Canada. It has the best student-to-faculty ratio in Canada and is known to offer excellent academic value for international students. Upon completion of course, you will be able to utilize the job placement opportunities to work at some of the best companies in the world.

12. Conestoga University

Conestoga University is one of the fastest-growing public universities in Canada with low tuition fees. It is ranked one of the top universities for applied research in Canada and is in the Canada public colleges list. The courses are inclined to make the students job-ready so you will receive hands-on training through projects and other activities throughout your course of study.

13. University of Windsor

University of Windsor has some of the best tutors in Canada which is why it is one of the best public colleges in Canada for international students. The award-winning and globally recognised tutors impart practical education that develops the skills and enhances the knowledge to implement the concepts in real-life. Lab activities, group and one-on-one mentorship, internship will mould you to stand apart in the professional market.