SFU ranked top mid-size university in Canada

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is proud to have been named Canada’s No. 1 mid-size university in the 2027 Maclean’s University Rankings.

Described as “one of Canada’s leading research universities” in their spotlight on Canada’s top three mid-size universities, SFU scores highly in a number of areas important to the student experience.

For the first time, Maclean’s annual rankings grouped schools according to their size – large, mid-size and small – with mid-size universities having between 10,000-30,000 full-time students.

Under Maclean’s previous ranking system, SFU was named Canada’s number one comprehensive university in 2026, a title the institution held in 17 of the last 18 years.

SFU is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience and the annual rankings provide valuable information to students when choosing a university.

SFU president Joy Johnson says: “We are extremely proud to be named as Canada’s top mid-size university.

“It is a recognition of the effort and dedication that SFU's students, faculty, staff and alumni show every day as we strive to build an inclusive and sustainable future through learning, teaching and research excellence.”

Universities are ranked across four broad areas: student experience and success; faculty quality; student resources and support; and reputation.

Maclean’s says SFU has “built a reputation around AI research, advanced computing and innovation, along with ongoing sustainability and climate initiatives.”

It also recognizes that “it’s not all classroom and lab work: experiential learning is big at SFU.”

SFU’s top ranking reflects the university’s strong performance in several areas, such as student awards, student/faculty ratio, medical science grants, research impact and operating budget.

Maclean’s also highlights a number of recent developments in support of SFU’s top status:

• The opening of the new SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine, which has now welcomed its inaugural class of 48 students. 
• Research by the Silicon Quantum Technology Lab on next-generation quantum technologies.
• The new Climate and Weather Extremes Laboratory, which uses advanced computing and AI to predict extreme climate and weather events.
• Providing access to Canada’s most powerful public supercomputer, Fir, which is powered by clean hydroelectric energy. 
• Experiential learning opportunities, such as a NATO Field School, where students participate in simulations and briefings at security and defence hubs around Europe over the summer.