Four Canadian Cities Rank Among the World’s Top 100 for International Students in 2026
Canada continues to stand out on the global education stage as four of its cities have secured places in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking: Montreal (tied at 18th), Toronto (22nd), Vancouver (tied at 29th), and Ottawa (80th).CIC News
Montreal
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Holds the highest spot among Canadian cities, excelling in Student View (94.4) and Student Mix (91.5).
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Strong in Employer Activity (80) and Desirability (74.8), but its Affordability dropped to 30.5—its lowest score yet.
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Hosts McGill University, ranked 27th globally.CIC News
Toronto
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Ranked 22nd, with top marks in Student View (93.1), Student Mix (91.8), Employer Activity (85.6), and Desirability (82.4).
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Affordability remains a challenge, scoring just 17.4.
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Home to prestigious institutions like the University of Toronto (#29 global) and York University.CIC News
Vancouver
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Shared the 29th position, strong in Student Mix (91.8), Employer Activity, and Desirability, but its high cost of living earns a low Affordability score of 16.9.
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The average monthly living cost is approximately $3,793.63 (CAD).CIC News
Ottawa
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Ranked 80th, with solid performance in Student View (80.3), Student Mix (82.3), and Desirability (73.6).
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Lower scores in Employer Activity (35.6) and Affordability (22.1) affected its overall position.
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The University of Ottawa falls at #218 globally.CIC News
Why It Matters
This continued recognition underlines Canada’s appeal to international students—blending academic excellence, diverse student communities, and high quality of life. Despite affordability concerns, the strength of Canadian cities in inclusivity and university reputation keeps them among the world’s top student destinations.