Venture into the realm of business in the land of Maple Leaf! If you are a student aspiring to become a successful entrepreneur or a corporate leader, choosing the right business school in Canada will be the best decision you will ever make. Renowned for its high-quality education system, Canada offers some of the best business schools, offering academic excellence, innovative programs, and robust alumni networks. As per the 2022 US News Report, the country is the 4th best country for education in the world, and it has consistently been featured among the top 5 countries since 2016. Today, we will take you through the 10 best Canadian business schools. Let’s get started!
Why Study Business in Canada?
Canada is known not only for its beautiful scenery, river valleys, and majestic mountains but also for its range of best universities. These top Canadian business schools offer excellent academic programs, cutting-edge research, and exceptional job opportunities. Plus, the country’s strong and stable economy, coupled with its vibrant multicultural environment, offers an enriching backdrop for business studies. Rest assured, studying business in Canada is a decision that you won’t regret! Plus, when not studying, you will always have things to do in Canada.
10 Best Canadian Business Schools
The best business universities in Canada offer exceptional business courses that are sure to prepare you for a successful career in business. Here’s a look at the top 10 business schools in Canada that stand out for their academic excellence and innovative curriculum.
1. University of Toronto
Location: Toronto
QS Ranking: #21
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Course Fees: CA$136,410 - CA$138,450
Degree: BBA
Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is one of the best Canadian business schools. The university’s programs help you build viable and scalable business models, and secure funding. You will get to work alongside active entrepreneurs who will help you gain the tools and strategies to bring your business ideas to fruition. You will learn about various business models, market intelligence & customer discovery, building & managing teams, and finding & managing finances.
2. University of Montreal
Location: Montreal
QS Ranking: #141
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Course Fees: CA$21,309 - CA$25,550
Degree: BBA
Next on our list of the top Canadian schools in the world is the University of Montreal. Home to over 67,109 students, 2,300 professors and researchers, 13 faculties and schools, and 600 programs. The university’s BBA program is offered in three formats: French, English, and Spanish. The course at the University of Montreal, one of the top b schools in Canada, will help students gain insights into business laws, diversity management in organisations, and international perspectives in business.
3. Western University
Location: London
QS Ranking: #114
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Course Fees: CA$129,750 - CA$130,750
Degree: MBA, HBA, MSC, and MMA
Western University, one of the best Canadian business schools, was founded in 1878. With more than 170 international programs in over 40 countries, the university offers not just theoretical but also practical business skills. You will learn business fundamentals and develop leadership capabilities to convert concepts into decisions and ideas into change. Additionally, you will also gain knowledge on managing operations, communicating effectively, and macroeconomics for business decisions.
4. Queen’s University
Location: Kingston
QS Ranking: #209
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Course Fees: CA$102,100 - CA$105,110
Degree: BCom and MBA
One of the best business universities in Canada, Queen’s University is home to over 4,000 students from 101+ countries, 24 research centres and institutes, and 793 faculty members. The institution’s business programs take a holistic approach to help you gain both technical expertise and interpersonal skills. For students going for an MBA, you can select from a range of specializations, including Advanced Portfolio Management, Consumer Focused Marketing, Dynamic Strategy Execution, and Finance Strategy.
5. McGill University
Location: Montreal
QS Ranking: #30
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Course Fees: CA$102,500 - CA$107,450
Degree: BCom and MBA
McGill University is also one of the top business universities in Canada that has been churning out excellent entrepreneurs since 1821. Known for its excellence in teaching and research programs, McGill University focuses on innovation and hands-on learning. Studying business at McGill, the best university in Canada for business, means gaining insights into managerial economics, management statistics, leadership & professional skills, and accounting & financial reporting. The business program focuses on experiential learning and offers students a 10-day international study trip, internships, and help with practicum under the guidance of an accomplished faculty.
6. University of British Columbia
Location: Vancouver
QS Ranking: #34
Acceptance Rate: 52.4%
Course Fees: CA$99,287 - CA$100,110
Degree: BCom and MBA
Founded in 1915, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is also one of the best Canadian business schools. It has also been ranked #1 for its business program in Canada. Combining innovative curriculum with technology, the university offers the latest theoretical and applied business knowledge. Learn about the fundamentals of business, such as organizational behavior, marketing fundamentals, managerial and microeconomics, and analytics and tech. Through internships, the Global Immersion Experience, and live case competitions and case studies, you gain hands-on experience in business.
7. Alberta School of Business
Location: Edmonton
QS Ranking: #101
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Course Fees: CA$56,000 - CA$75,000
Degree: BCom and MBA
Started in 1916, Alberta School of Business has today grown to become one of the best Canadian business schools. Renowned for its leadership in research and excellent academic programs, the school fosters innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. It offers one of the top business programs in Canada that will teach you the fundamentals of business and also help you develop interpersonal and technical skills. Students pursuing an MBA from here can choose from four electives: International Business, The Global Business Environment, Operations Management, and Organization Strategy - Managing Organizations.
8. HEC Montreal
Location: Montreal
QS Ranking: #34
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Course Fees: CA$59,100 - CA$60,175
Degree: MBA, MSc, and BBA
Next on our list of the top Canadian business schools is HEC Montreal, established in 1907. With a keen focus on practice, collaboration, exploration, and innovation, the school offers more than 150 management courses. 60 of these programs provide a combination of on-site and distance learning education. Here, you will gain invaluable knowledge in business taught by a world-class faculty. Plus, you also get access to top-notch resources and a vast network of alumni and industry professionals.
9. McMaster University
Location: Hamilton
QS Ranking: #189
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Course Fees: CA$24,109 - CA$25,600 per term
Degree: BCom, MBA, and EMBA
Established in 1887, McMaster University is also one of the best Canadian business schools. The university’s Degroote School of Business offers industry-responsive programs that combine business basics, advanced concepts, and practical applications. The university’s business course will equip you with critical skills like creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. The curriculum will teach you about financial accounting, organizational behavior, business data analytics, and marketing. You will also get good internship and job opportunities at McMaster, one of the best business universities in Canada.
10. York University
Location: Toronto
QS Ranking: #353
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Course Fees: CA$37,442 - CA$45,560
Degree: BA, BBA, BCom, and MBA
Finally, on our list of the best Canadian business schools is York University, founded in 1959. The university is home to over 10,000 students from across 172 countries, enrolled in 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs. At York, you will not just gain academic excellence but also gain invaluable business and interpersonal skills to succeed in today’s ever-changing business landscape. You can choose from a range of specializations, including Accounting, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurial & Family Business Studies, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management.
So, this was our list of the best Canadian business schools! From the innovative programs at McGill to the global perspectives at HEC and Western University, each of these best business schools in Canada has its unique strengths and advantages. The diverse and inclusive environment of these top business colleges in Canada enhances your academic learning while offering rich cultural experiences and networking opportunities. And if you’re looking to start some side hustle, you can try out these business ideas.