The University of Alberta has seen a rise in global rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it climbed 15 places to 96th, showcasing strong academic reputation and research influence.
However, in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, it dropped slightly from 109 in 2024 to 116 in 2025, indicating room for improvement in teaching and research metrics.
In the U.S. News & World Report, the university stood at 150th spot in 2025, reflecting its growing global impact. Across subject-specific rankings, it ranks 7th in Nursing, 4th in Petroleum Engineering, and 37th in Agricultural Sciences, affirming its excellence in multiple disciplines.
University of Alberta World Rankings 2024-25
The University of Alberta has demonstrated a significant upward trajectory in global rankings. Notably, it ascended from 111th place in 2024 to 96th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
Below are the university's rankings over the past three years:
Ranking Body
2023
2024
2025
QS Rankings
110
111
96
THE Rankings
118
109
116
U.S. News & World Report
N/A
N/A
150
Below is a graphical representation of these rankings to give you a clearer view of the trends over time.
The University of Alberta’s QS World University Ranking improved from 111 in 2024 to 96 in 2025, showing a 15-rank jump. This rise reflects strong faculty research, academic reputation, and employer perception. In contrast, THE Rankings dropped slightly from 109 in 2024 to 116 in 2025, indicating a minor decline in teaching or research influence.
The U.S. News & World Report ranking in 2025 stands at 150, suggesting room for improvement in global impact metrics. Despite slight fluctuations, the significant rise in QS Rankings reinforces Alberta’s position as a top academic institution.
Moving on to the next section, it's essential to explore how the university performs across specific disciplines. This analysis provides deeper insights into its academic strengths.
Subject-Wise Rankings of the University of Alberta 2025
The University of Alberta has achieved notable positions in various subject-specific global rankings for 2025. For instance, it secured the 74th spot in Medical and Health disciplines and 7th spot in Nursing.
Now, here’s a closer look at the specific rankings provided by different organizations.
QS Rankings 2025
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, the University of Alberta excelled in several disciplines. Notably, it ranked 7th globally in Nursing, reflecting its commitment to healthcare education.
Below are the university's top five subject rankings according to QS:
Subject
Global Rank
Nursing
7
Petroleum Engineering
4
Mining & Mineral Engineering
12
Medicine
86
Computer Science & Information Technology
110
These rankings highlight the university's strengths across various fields.
Shifting focus to another reputable ranking system, let's examine the university's performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings for 2025.
THE Rankings 2025
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025 recognized the University of Alberta's excellence in multiple disciplines. Notably, it ranked 74th globally in Medical and Health disciplines, underscoring its strong healthcare programs.
Here are the top five subject rankings according to THE:
Subject
Global Rank
Medical and Health
74
Computer Science
80
Education Studies
76
Engineering
88
Life Sciences
100
These rankings reflect the university's commitment to providing quality education across various fields.
Next, let's explore the university's performance in the U.S. News & World Report's 2025 rankings.
U.S. News Rankings 2025
The U.S. News & World Report's Best Global Universities Rankings 2025 also highlighted the University of Alberta's strengths in several disciplines. For example, it ranked 37th globally in Agricultural Sciences, showcasing its excellence in this field.
The table below presents the university's top five subject rankings according to U.S. News:
Subject
Global Rank
Agricultural Sciences
37
Artificial Intelligence
54
Biology and Biochemistry
93
Chemistry
130
Clinical Medicine
100
These rankings demonstrate the university's diverse academic strengths.
Having explored the subject-wise rankings, let's now move on to the miscellaneous rankings for 2025.
Miscellaneous Rankings 2025
In 2025, the University of Alberta secured prominent positions in various global rankings, reflecting its dedication to academic excellence and research innovation.
Below is a summary of these miscellaneous rankings:
Ranking Body
Rank
Description
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
6
Recognized for significant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
106
Acknowledged for outstanding research output and academic performance.
National Taiwan University Rankings
101
Evaluated based on research productivity and impact.
SCImago Institutions Rankings
64
Assessed for research output, innovation, and societal influence.
EduRank
64
Overall global performance across various disciplines.
The University of Alberta's 6th place in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings underscores its commitment to addressing global challenges and promoting sustainability. Its position at 106 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities highlights its robust research capabilities and academic reputation.
The 101st spot in the National Taiwan University Rankings reflects its consistent research productivity. Additionally, ranking 64th in both the SCImago Institutions Rankings and EduRank showcases its comprehensive performance across multiple disciplines and its influence in the global academic community.
Now, let's delve into the University of Alberta's excellence and achievements.
University of Alberta: Excellence and Achievements
The University of Alberta (U of A) has consistently demonstrated excellence in academics, culture, and community engagement, solidifying its position as a leading institution.
Let's delve into these areas to understand the university's notable accomplishments.
Academic Excellence
U of A's commitment to academic excellence is evident through its faculty's groundbreaking research and the high caliber of its student body. For instance, Professor Toshifumi Yokota's pioneering work in antisense therapy led to the development of viltolarsen, an FDA-approved treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Below are some of the university's notable academic achievements:
Achievement
Description
Development of Viltolarsen
Led by Professor Toshifumi Yokota, this FDA-approved drug treats Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to Ph.D. candidate Hajar Ghorbani for her research in death studies within non-Western cultures.
Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada
Professor Todd Lowary was elected for his contributions to carbohydrate chemistry.
These accomplishments highlight U of A's dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation.
Moving beyond academics, U of A has also made significant strides in promoting cultural diversity and inclusion.
Cultural Achievements
The university actively celebrates and preserves cultural heritage, enriching the campus experience for all. For example, the Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute (CILLDI) was established to revitalize Indigenous languages in Western Canada.
Here are some of U of A's notable cultural initiatives:
Initiative
Description
Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute (CILLDI)
Focuses on Indigenous language revitalization through summer programs and community engagement.
Student Volunteer Campus Community (SVCC)
Offers language programs in Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, promoting multiculturalism.
These initiatives demonstrate U of A's commitment to cultural diversity and community involvement.
Beyond cultural endeavors, the university has a strong tradition of community support and engagement.
Community Support
U of A's dedication to community support is evident through various programs that address societal needs and promote inclusivity. For instance, the university's Pride Week, initiated in 2013, includes parades and educational workshops celebrating LGBTQ+ communities.
Notable community support initiatives include:
Initiative
Description
Caring Communities Initiative
Encourages students, staff, and faculty to create opportunities for connection, care, and sharing.
Graduate Course-Based Master's Community Engagement Award
Recognizes outstanding contributions of course-based master's students.
Indigenous Community Engagement Citation
Serves as a catalyst for engagement between Indigenous peoples, industry, and government.
Through these programs, U of A exemplifies its role as a community-focused institution.
Having explored the university's excellence and achievements, let's now examine how its rankings correlate with acceptance rates.
University of Alberta: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate
The University of Alberta has an overall acceptance rate of approximately 58%, reflecting its moderately selective admissions process.
Below is a comparison of the University of Alberta's program-specific QS Rankings for 2025 alongside their respective acceptance rates:
Program
QS Rankings 2025
Acceptance Rate
Nursing
7
58%
Petroleum Engineering
4
Mining & Mineral Engineering
12
Medicine
86
Computer Science & Information Technology
110
These rankings and the overall acceptance rate provide insight into the university's selectivity and program strengths.
The University of Alberta’s QS ranking improved significantly, rising from 111 to 96, reinforcing its growing academic reputation and research excellence.
However, the THE ranking declined slightly from 109 to 116, suggesting areas for improvement in teaching and faculty impact. Its debut at 150 in U.S. News & World Report highlights increasing global recognition.
With top subject rankings in Nursing (7th), Petroleum Engineering (4th), and Agricultural Sciences (37th), the university remains a strong contender for students seeking excellence in these fields.
If rankings play a key role in your university decision, Alberta’s upward trend in QS and strong subject placements make it a compelling choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I choose the University of Alberta or the University of Guelph for global recognition?
The QS World University Rankings 2025 place the University of Alberta at 96th, significantly higher than the University of Guelph, which ranks outside the top 400. Alberta’s strong subject rankings in Nursing, Engineering, and Science make it a more globally recognized choice.
What makes the University of Alberta a top choice for international students?
The QS Rankings 2025 emphasize global engagement, where Alberta excels in international student diversity and faculty ratio. Its THE ranking of 116 further reinforces its international reputation, attracting students worldwide seeking strong academic and research programs.
Why is the University of Alberta’s engineering program highly competitive?
Alberta’s QS Rankings 2025 position Petroleum Engineering at 4th globally and Mining & Mineral Engineering at 12th, making it a top choice for engineering students. The university’s commitment to research and faculty expertise makes these programs highly sought after.
What makes the University of Alberta a great place for research opportunities?
The Academic Ranking of World Universities (106th) and National Taiwan University Rankings (101st) highlight Alberta’s strong research output. Its high citation impact in THE Rankings and global top-50 placements in multiple disciplines reinforce its research excellence.
How does the University of Alberta support graduate students?
Graduate students benefit from Alberta’s strong QS research impact score, reflecting high-quality faculty contributions. Its THE ranking of 116 and strong performance in graduate employment outcomes ensure postgraduate students receive excellent academic and career support.
What are the key research strengths in environmental science at Alberta?
The university ranks 4th in Canada for Environmental Science & Engineering and is among the top institutions in sustainability research. Its THE Impact Rankings position of 6th globally highlights its contributions to environmental sustainability and global research initiatives.
How does the University of Alberta shape global business education and leadership?
Alberta ranks among the top 150 in U.S. News Rankings, with strong placements in business-related fields. Its employer reputation in QS (15%) ensures graduates are well-recognized in global business and leadership roles.
What is the gender equality ranking of the University of Alberta?
The Times Higher Education Rankings place Alberta at 69th globally, recognizing its efforts in gender equality and diversity. Its high faculty diversity scores in QS reinforce its commitment to equal representation in education and research.
Is the University of Alberta a top choice due to campus life and support services?
Alberta’s THE Impact Rankings (6th) highlight strong student support and inclusivity. Its global research reputation, high student satisfaction scores in THE and QS, and diverse international student population make it a preferred choice for campus experience.
What sets the University of Alberta’s healthcare programs apart in medical training?
Alberta’s QS ranking of 7th in Nursing and 86th in Medicine confirm its strong medical education. The university’s research contributions in healthcare and high THE medical and health ranking (74th) make it a leading institution in medical training.
What's the Zero Hunger Ranking of the University of Alberta?
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings place Alberta in the 4th globally for Zero Hunger initiatives, recognizing its contributions to food security research, agricultural advancements, and sustainability projects that address hunger and nutrition on a global scale.
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