Impressive ranking a reflection of strong research reputation, supportive student experience and more
The University of Guelph has once again earned recognition as one of Canada’s leading universities, ranking fifth among Canada’s 19 mid-sized institutions in this year’s Maclean’s University Rankings.
This year, U of G ranked first or second nationally in five key performance indicators. The strong showing reflects U of G’s exceptional student experience, research excellence and outstanding faculty who distinguish themselves in classrooms, laboratories and within the community.
U of G claimed the top spot in student retention as well as first place in graduation rates among mid-sized universities — two remarkable recognitions that speak to the welcoming and vibrant community that brings students back to campus each year.
“An excellent student experience is central to what we do at the University of Guelph,” says Dr. Rene Van Acker, president and vice-chancellor. “We want every student to feel supported, connected to our community and challenged to succeed. Seeing students continue their studies and graduate is an important measure of how well we’re delivering on that commitment.”
Strong research, welcoming campus
U of G’s reputation continues to rise in the rankings, with the University now in fourth place in this ranking amongst mid-sized institutions, up from sixth last year. These results demonstrate that academic and business leaders recognize U of G as one of the best universities in the country.
When it comes to research impact and volume, U of G ranked an impressive second in both, underscoring the strength of the University’s research enterprise and the contributions made to advancing knowledge.
Maclean’s highlighted the University’s excellence in physical and biological sciences, social sciences, arts and business, along with the University’s focus on finding innovative ways to feed the world’s growing population. It also spotlighted the well-known beauty of the campus, with its many green spaces, such as Johnston Green and the world-renowned Arboretum.
The University stood out in the rankings for faculty awards, placing fifth among mid-sized universities.
U of G’s faculty have earned many prestigious recognitions that include the Nobel Sustainability Trust’s Sustainability Award for Outstanding Research and Development in Biodiversity, the Royal Society of Canada Awards and recent national prizes such as the Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research.
Among other metrics, U of G earned top marks in its category for library acquisitions, placing first for its reputation for ensuring that students have the best access to the materials and resources needed to pursue their academics.
U of G also placed sixth for students awards, celebrating achievements of students receiving prestigious recognitions such as the Rhodes and Fulbright scholarship and scholarships from Canada’s top federal granting agencies.
Maclean’s updated criteria
For 2027, Maclean’s replaced its ranking classification, grouping institutions into three categories of small, mid-size and large, rather than undergraduate, comprehensive and medical/doctoral. U of G falls into the mid-size category, with a student population of between 10,000 and 30,000.
Last year, under the different criteria, U of G ranked sixth out of Canada’s comprehensive universities.