The University of Guelph is the No. 1 comprehensive university in Canada for student satisfaction, according to Maclean’s magazine.

U of G earned top marks in the magazine’s national survey of more than 10,800 current university students and recent graduates. It’s the first such survey the national magazine has conducted in more than a decade.

“I’m pleased and gratified to see U of G being ranked first,” said Brenda Whiteside, associate vice-president (student affairs).

She said the ranking reflects the University’s focus on the whole student experience — from the classroom to health and safety to residence halls to extracurricular offerings.

“We also recognize that success is enhanced through student engagement. Our students are actively involved both inside and outside of the classroom — on campus, in the community and beyond. It’s this sense of community that I believe creates this level of Gryphon pride and satisfaction.”

The survey is part of Maclean’s annual ranking issue now on newsstands. It’s also included in a new web-based information hub the magazine launched this week.

Guelph was No. 1 in five of eight key areas — student life staff, mental health services, least “red tape,” extracurricular activities and student residences.

“The Student Affairs team is committed to creating a community that is supportive and enriching, and it’s rewarding to see their passion recognized by our students,” Whiteside said.

U of G placed second in sexual assault prevention and administrative staff, and third for course instructors.

Maclean’s classifies 15 Canadian universities as “comprehensive,” defined as those with significant research activity and wide-ranging undergraduate and graduate programs. Its two other categories are medical/doctoral and primarily undergraduate.