The University of Alberta (U of A) is one of Canada’s leading public research universities, consistently ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide. Its strong performance in global rankings such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE), and ARWU reflects its reputation for research excellence, academic quality, and global impact. The university also stands out in the THE Impact Rankings, which measure contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its leadership in sustainability and innovation.
University of Alberta World Rankings
The University of Alberta’s world rankings for the last 3 years are tabulated below.
| Ranked By | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #94 | #96 | #111 |
| THE World University Rankings | #119 | #116 | #109 |
| Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings | Not released | #8 | #6 |
| Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) | #101 | #101-150 | #101-150 |
Trend:
- The ranking trend shows gradual improvement in global reputation, particularly in the QS World University Rankings, where the university climbed from #111 (2024) to #94 (2026).
- In contrast, the THE World University Rankings show a slight fluctuation, moving from #109 in 2024 to #119 in 2026, indicating relatively stable but competitive positioning.
- The ARWU ranking improved slightly, reaching #101 in 2026 after being in the #101-150 band in previous years.
- Meanwhile, the THE Impact Rankings, which measure universities’ contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, UAlberta showed strong performance with top-10 global positions in 2024 and 2025, although the 2026 ranking has not yet been released.
Overall, the data reflects a steady global standing with notable gains in QS rankings and sustainability impact recognition.
University of Alberta Rankings in Canada
The university maintains a strong top-5 position in Canada across major global rankings. It ranks #4 in QS and ARWU, reflecting solid research output and academic reputation, while holding #5 in THE World University Rankings. Notably, it performs exceptionally in sustainability metrics, ranking #2 in Canada in the THE Impact Rankings, highlighting strong contributions toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
| Ranked By | 2026 Rank in Canada |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #4 |
| THE World University Rankings | #5 |
| Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings | #2 |
| Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) | #4 |

Top-Ranked Programs of the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta (U of A) demonstrates strong subject-level performance globally, with several programs ranked among the top 50 worldwide. It is particularly recognized for Petroleum Engineering (#2 globally) and Artificial Intelligence (#5 globally), highlighting its leadership in energy and advanced technology research.
Many disciplines, such as Biological Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Chemical Engineering, rank #1 in Canada, reflecting the university’s research strength in science and engineering fields.
Additionally, programs like Nursing (#14 globally) and Sports-Related Subjects (#10 globally) show strong global competitiveness beyond STEM. Overall, the rankings indicate that the U of A is a global leader in energy, AI, and applied sciences, while maintaining top-tier national standing across multiple disciplines.
| U of A Program | Global Rank | Rank in Canada | Ranking Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & Forestry | #69 | #3 | QS |
| Agricultural Sciences | #25 | #1 | ARWU |
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) | #5 | #1 | ARWU, US News |
| Automation & Control | #22 | #2 | ARWU |
| Biological Sciences | #21 | #1 | ARWU |
| Chemical Engineering | #51-75 | #1 | ARWU |
| Earth Sciences | #34 | #1 | ARWU |
| Instruments Science & Technology | #44 | #1 | ARWU |
| Mining & Mineral Engineering | #16 | #4 | QS |
| Nursing | #14 | #2 | QS |
| Petroleum Engineering | #2 | #1 | QS |
| Pharmacy & Pharmacology | #38 | #2 | QS |
| Sports-Related Subjects | #10 | #3 | QS |
University of Alberta THE Impact Rankings
The University of Alberta has achieved strong recognition in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which evaluate universities based on their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
| Impact Area (UN SDG) | 2025 Ranking |
|---|---|
| Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | #1 in the World |
| Partnership for the Goals | #2 in Canada |
| Life on Land | #2 in Canada |
| Zero Hunger | #5 in the World |
| Life Below Water | #13 in the World |
For Indian students, the university offers a compelling option due to its globally recognized programs, especially in fields such as Petroleum Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Nursing, and Biological Sciences. Additionally, UAlberta’s excellent performance in the THE Impact Rankings demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and global development.








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