Canada is one of the most popular study abroad destinations that is home to well-ranked universities. Students can either enrol in public or private educational institutions to gain quality education. So, here’s what you must know about these universities, their differences, and other interesting details.

Key Highlights

• Public universities in Canada: An overview
• Private universities in Canada: An overview
• Public vs private universities in Canada: Key differences
• Popular public colleges in Canada for international students
• Best private colleges in Canada
• How to select a university?

Public universities in Canada: An overview

Public universities are state-financed and hence owned by the state. These universities aim to provide quality education to a wide range of students, including international aspirants. At present, 90+ Canadian public universities offer more than 15,000 courses in various domains. Some advantages of studying at public varsities are as follows:

• The public universities offer internationally recognised degrees that enhance students’ employability prospects.
• Many Canadian public universities are ranked among the top educational institutions in the world, offering excellent research opportunities to students, strengthening their domain knowledge, and ensuring academic success.
• These universities attract students from several nations, thereby promoting a multicultural learning environment.

Also Read: Popular colleges in Canada for PG diploma

Private universities in Canada: An overview

Private universities are not owned by the government. Instead, they receive funds from tuition fees, alumni donations, and private investors for their smooth operations. You can study in Canada at a private university to gain the following benefits:

• These universities have a low student-teacher ratio. Thus, students get personalised attention from faculty members.
• State-of-the-art infrastructural facilities and cutting-edge technology enhance the overall learning experiences of students.
• Private universities adopt world-class education standards to make students job-ready. Moreover, these institutions also offer comprehensive support services to students, such as career guidance, mentorship programs, housing support, etc.

Public vs private universities in Canada: Key differences

Tabulated below are some primary differences between private and public universities.

Factor	Public universities	Private universities
Tuition fees	Tuition fees are lower than private universities due to government funding.	Tuition fees are higher than public institutions.
Class size	The class size tends to be large. However, these universities focus on providing exceptional education.	The class size is small. Student can build good rapport with their mentors, which can enhance their learning experience.
Admission process	Due to the less stringent admission process, it is easy to secure a seat in a public university.	A strict admission process and thorough evaluation are followed. It can be sometimes challenging to secure a spot in your chosen program.
Courses available	These universities offer a wide range of academic programs.	These universities offer education in specific academic areas like Management, Engineering, etc., which cater to specific career paths.
Accreditation	These universities are accredited by the national or state government.	These universities are accredited by the national government.

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Popular public colleges in Canada for international students

Some popular public universities in Canada, along with rankings, are mentioned below:

Sr. No.	Universities	QS Rankings 2024	THE Rankings 2024
1	University of Toronto	1	1
2	McGill University	2	3
3	The University of British Columbia	3	2
4	University of Alberta	4	5
5	University of Waterloo	5	7
6	Western University	6	10
7	Universite de Montreal	7	6
8	University of Calgary	8	9
9	McMaster University	9	4
10	University of Ottawa	10	8

Best private colleges in Canada

Top private universities in Canada that offer master’s and other courses in various domains are as follows:

• University Canada West (UCW)
• Columbia College
• Canadian Mennonite University (CMU)
• Yorkville University
• University of Fredericton
• Quest University
• Trinity Western University
• Crandall University
• Ambrose University
• Tyndale University

How to select a university?

Both private and public universities in Canada offer quality education and globally recognised degrees and have their own sets of advantages. However, you should select a university after considering factors like your course choice, academic goals, university rankings, placement scenarios, and student-teacher ratio, to name a few. Therefore, think wisely before starting your academic journey to Canada.

Also Read: What students must know about SOP for Canada

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