Canada remains one of the most attractive destinations for students looking to study business. From undergraduate commerce degrees to MBAs and specialized master’s programs, Canadian universities offer a wide range of options for students interested in finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, management, and international business.
Canada is also home to several internationally recognized business schools. For example, the 2026 QS Global MBA Rankings place the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management first among Canadian full-time MBA programs, followed by McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management and Western University’s Ivey Business School.
If you’re considering studying business in Canada, here are 10 universities worth putting on your list.
In this article:
- #1 University of Toronto
- #2 Western University
- #3 McGill University
- #4 University of British Columbia
- #5 Queen’s University
- #6 York University
- #7 University of Alberta
- #8 McMaster University
- #9 HEC Montréal
- #10 University of Waterloo
#1 University of Toronto
The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management is one of Canada’s most prominent business schools and is located in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Rotman offers a broad range of business education, including undergraduate, MBA, executive, and specialized master’s programs. Its location gives students access to one of Canada’s largest business and financial centres.
For students considering an MBA, Rotman is particularly notable. It is ranked #1 among Canadian schools in the 2026 QS Global MBA Rankings, while its 2026 Financial Times ranking places its full-time MBA at #81 globally.
Best for: Finance, consulting, management, analytics, entrepreneurship and students seeking access to Toronto’s business ecosystem.
#2 Western University
Located in London, Ontario, Western University’s Ivey Business School is one of Canada’s best-known business schools.
Ivey is particularly recognized for its case-based approach to business education, where students learn by working through real-world business situations and making decisions as they would in professional environments.
The school offers undergraduate and graduate business education, including its HBA and MBA programs.
Ivey is also highly regarded internationally. The 2026 QS ranking places it among Canada’s top three full-time MBA programs.
Best for: Consulting, finance, leadership, entrepreneurship and students who enjoy practical, case-based learning.
#3 McGill University
Located in Montreal, McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management combines business education with the global environment of one of Canada’s most international cities.
Students can explore business at undergraduate and graduate levels, with opportunities spanning areas such as finance, management, marketing and international business.
Desautels is particularly strong at the graduate level. In the 2026 QS Global MBA Rankings, McGill ranks second among Canadian business schools.
Its Montreal location also gives students exposure to Canada’s bilingual and increasingly international business environment.
Best for: International business, finance, management and students interested in studying in a multicultural city.
#4 University of British Columbia
The UBC Sauder School of Business is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, giving students the opportunity to study business in one of Canada’s major Pacific-facing cities.
Sauder offers undergraduate and graduate programs across areas including commerce, finance, marketing, business analytics and management.
Its location is particularly interesting for students interested in international business and Canada’s connections with the Asia-Pacific region.
Sauder’s MBA is also among Canada’s leading programs, appearing in major international business-school rankings.
Best for: International business, finance, entrepreneurship, sustainability and students who want to study in Vancouver.
#5 Queen’s University
Located in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s University Smith School of Business is another strong choice for students interested in business.
Smith offers programs ranging from undergraduate commerce to MBA and graduate business education.
One of the school’s distinguishing features is its emphasis on team-based and experiential learning, helping students develop communication, leadership and problem-solving skills alongside their academic knowledge.
Smith’s MBA is also among Canada’s leading programs in recent international comparisons.
Best for: Commerce, consulting, finance, leadership and students who prefer collaborative learning.
#6 York University
The Schulich School of Business at York University is located in Toronto, giving students direct access to one of Canada’s largest commercial centres.
Schulich offers undergraduate and graduate business programs covering areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship and international business.
Its Toronto location is a major advantage for students interested in networking, internships and careers in Canada’s corporate sector.
The school also offers a full-time MBA and other graduate management programs.
Best for: International business, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship and students who want to study business in Toronto.
#7 University of Alberta
The Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta is located in Edmonton and offers students a broad business education.
Students can build foundations in areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, management and entrepreneurship while developing practical skills in areas including data analysis, communication, leadership and ethical decision-making.
The school’s curriculum emphasizes applying business concepts to real-world problems. Its introductory business curriculum, for example, includes business cases, entrepreneurial thinking, data analysis and leadership skills.
Best for: Business administration, entrepreneurship, finance, accounting and students interested in Western Canada’s economy.
#8 McMaster University
Located in Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate business education.
DeGroote provides programs including the Bachelor of Commerce and MBA, as well as interdisciplinary options such as its Integrated Business & Humanities program.
The university’s proximity to Toronto and Hamilton also gives students access to a large and diverse employment market.
Its MBA program is designed for students from varied academic backgrounds and combines business education with leadership and professional development.
Best for: Commerce, management, interdisciplinary business education and students interested in combining business with other fields.
#9 HEC Montréal
If you’re interested in studying business in a French-speaking environment, HEC Montréal deserves a place on your list.
HEC Montréal is a business school affiliated with the Université de Montréal and offers programs in management, finance, marketing, business analytics and other areas.
Its MBA is designed to prepare students for management responsibilities and includes practical learning through real-world case studies and a consulting field project. Students can also tailor their studies toward areas such as finance, people management, digital transformation and sustainable development.
Best for: French-language business education, management, finance and students interested in Montreal’s business community.
#10 University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is particularly well known for connecting academic education with practical work experience.
While Waterloo’s business education is structured differently from universities with a traditional standalone business school, students can pursue business-related programs through areas such as the School of Accounting and Finance.
One of Waterloo’s biggest advantages is its co-operative education model, which allows students to gain valuable work experience while completing their studies.
For students who want to combine business with technology, innovation or entrepreneurship, Waterloo can be especially attractive.
Best for: Accounting, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and students looking for significant work experience during their studies.
