Prince George, B.C. – For the third time in seven years, Maclean’s Magazine has ranked the University of Northern British Columbia as the top university in its category in Canada.

UNBC topped the chart in the Primarily Undergraduate category out of 19 post-secondary institutions. The magazine released its annual Canadian university rankings Thursday morning. 

“These rankings reflect UNBC’s excellence as an institution as the best small research-intensive university in Canada,” says UNBC Interim President Dr. Geoff Payne. “The University community is one where our faculty and staff are dedicated to ensuring our students are successful in their educational pursuits through exceptional research and leadership opportunities, interdisciplinary learning, and the numerous support systems we have in place.”

The University excelled across a wide range of categories, from the quality of faculty, staff, and the services it offers to how it strengthens the student experience through means such as maintaining a vibrant library system and funding scholarships and bursaries.

“The Board is continually impressed with and proud of the students and employees who make UNBC such an innovative and strong University,” says Catherine Wishart, chair of UNBC’s Board of Governors. “UNBC is vital to northern B.C., providing outstanding teaching and research opportunities that can transform the fabric of communities.”

Students propelled UNBC to its best-ever result in the student satisfaction survey, giving high marks to their course instructors, student life and administrative staff, mental health services, extracurricular activities, and experiential learning opportunities. 

UNBC achieved its highest rank ever at second spot in the category of faculty who have won national awards. UNBC also ranked highly in students who won national awards (first), library acquisitions (first), student-to-faculty ratio (second), and research funding (third). 

UNBC’s top ranking in 2021 is an improvement from 2020, when it placed fifth. UNBC first ranked in the top spot in 2015 and 2016, and was second between 2017 and 2019. 

Mount Allison University finished second behind UNBC, followed by Trent University in third place. Simon Fraser and the University of Victoria tied for first place in the Comprehensive list, while McGill University resumed the top spot in the Medical Doctoral category.

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