U of A ranks fourth in Canadian university rankings

The University of Alberta recently ranked fourth in CourseCompare‘s 2025 list of top Canadian universities. Additionally, the U of A also ranked first in CourseCompare’s list of top Master’s in Counselling Psychology programs and second in its list of top Canadian nursing schools.

CourseCompare produces catalogues of highly-rated courses from various institutions across Canada to help prospective students know their options. The website refers to itself as “Canada’s marketplace for education,” Jessica Robinson, content marketing manager at CourseCompare, said.

The platform ranks institutions based on outcomes, enrolment data, job placement rates, employer reputation, and student satisfaction, she explained.

“The idea is to help prepare Canadians — and those abroad who want to come to Canada — for their future,” Robinson said. “Our goal is to help people make informed decisions about their education.”

U of A is “holding its own” among top Canadian universities, Robinson says

The U of A’s emphasis on industry, embedded experience, and hands-on training are key factors contributing to its top four ranking, Robinson said. CourseCompare also cited the U of A’s 21:1 student-teacher ratio as a competitive advantage.

“We’re in a really competitive education landscape, especially among universities in Canada. We’ve got some really strong global players and the U of A is really holding its own in that competitive category,” Robinson said. “The U of A cracking the top five [Canadian universities] is no small feat.”

The university ranked in the top five of all CourseCompare’s health categories this year, Robinson said. This includes best Canadian medical and nursing schools. According to Robinson, another competitive advantage is the U of A’s online and hybrid-learning course options.

“The ability to accommodate a diversity of delivery methods [and] a diversity of preferred learning methods for students is going to make a school more flexible and desirable,” she said.

Referring to Canada’s education landscape, Robinson said that the reduction in international student enrolment is “the question of the moment.” The reduction in international students is placing financial strain on institutions, she said.

“Institutions across the country are tightening their belts a little bit,” Robinson said. “I think in Alberta — and specifically at the university level — you’re probably going to see lesser impacts, but certainly still some.”

Additionally, the rapid pace of artificial intelligence (AI) is creating anxiety among Canadian universities, she added.

“Embracing that challenge — as opposed to shying away from it — is going to be a true marker of an institution that is going to weather those biggest storms of change.”