For most students, choosing a university is not a decision based on a single factor. A university's academic reputation or campus culture alone is usually not enough of a convincing sell - more factors need to be considered to determine whether or not a university is the right fit.
Depending on one's priorities, one factor may have weightier influence in the decision than others. For example, those who desire a top education in a specific program they'd like to pursue would place greater importance on a university's reputation for that program.
For such case, here are the best universities for various programs and specialties in the province, based on Maclean's 2017 ranking:
Engineering
Nursing
Computer Science
Business
Biology
Mathematics
Environmental Science
Psychology
For the best Engineering schools in Ontario, click Next.
Engineering
5. Ryerson University
Ryerson is known for its leading-edge applied education and research in engineering. The faculty consists of 150 educators; seven of which hold Canada Research Chairs.
4. McMaster University
McMaster prides itself on its wide range of engineering discipline specialization options, 20 engineering-specific clubs and cutting edge international research opportunities.
3. Queen's University
Queen's boasts a 94% employment rate of engineering graduates after two years at some of the largest corporations in the world. It also offers 15 topnotch design teams and more than 20 international exchange opportunities.
2. University of Waterloo
UWaterloo's engineering program is ranked among the top 50 engineering programs in the world. UW is the largest engineering school in Canada, garnering as many as 9,500 enrollments each year.
1. University of Toronto
UofT is one of the world's leading institutions for innovative engineering research. It has over 50,000 graduates across Canada and collaborates with several industrial research partners worldwide.
For the best Nursing schools in Ontario, click Next.
Nursing
5. Western University
Western University's approach to nursing education is a perfect mix of theory, case-based learning and simulated clinical education. Practice placements give students the opportunity to work in hospitals and gain valuable work experience before graduation.
4. University of Ottawa
uOttawa holds the 40th place in the top 200 nursing schools featured in the 2017 QS world ranking. Its commitment to research and academic excellence makes it a front runner in the healthcare industry.
3. Queen's University
Queen's has offered quality nursing programs for 75 years. It offers innovative programs that adapt to the constantly evolving field, as well as several placement opportunities for students.
2. McMaster University
McMaster is a pioneer for problem-based learning in nursing education which involves small-group, self-directed approaches. The school boasts a pass rate for the Canadian Registered Nursing Exam of 90%.
1. University of Toronto
UofT is ranked among the best nursing schools in the world, thanks to its leading nurse researchers, state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting edge research.
For the best Computer Science schools in Ontario, click Next.
Computer Science
5. University of Ottawa
uOttawa's School of Computer Science was founded in 1997 and continues to provide top programs and research in the field. It currently has 775 undergraduate students in co-op and over 400 students working on advanced degrees.
4. UOIT
UOIT's computer science program takes an experiential approach to learning that involves embedded work terms within a five-year period. This gives its students a distinct advantage for employment after graduation.
3. Queen's University
Queen's computer science program combines the fundamentals of the discipline with innovative projects to keep students aware of rapidly changing trends. The school offers small class sizes, industry internships and several research opportunities.
2. University of Waterloo
UWaterloo holds the largest concentration of CS researchers in Canada. It is the largest research centre in the country, ranking 10th in North America and 24th in the world.
1. University of Toronto
UofT is home to an internationally-recognized faculty, a wide spectrum of computer science-related programs and several opportunities to work on groundbreaking projects and research.
For the best Business schools in Ontario, click Next.
Business
5. McMaster University
McMaster offers wide range of possibilities, from bachelors, MBA and Ph.D business programs to executive developments and international exchanges. The school has several notable links to other top-tier institutions around the world.
4. Queen's University
Queen's University maintains international exchange partnerships with over 100 respected business schools in 37 countries. It is a pioneer for team-based and experiential learning in business education and related fields.
3. York University
York University is top-ranked for business in Canada by The Economist, Forbes and CNN. It offers 10 world-class BBA/iBBA specializations, 18 leading MBA specializations and 6 academic disciplines of PhD scholarships.
2. Western University
Western University takes a unique approach to business education, focusing on case learning and immersion into real-world business issues. A rigorous selection process means the school only admits the best of the best from across the globe.
1. University of Toronto
UofT has been ranked the #1 school in Canada for the past 11 years for its leading instructors and renowned programs in business. It is also the third best in the world for faculty research and the seventh best in the world for finance education.
For the best Biology schools in Ontario, click Next.
Biology
5. Â University of Waterloo
UWaterloo offers 6 specializations from animal biology to biotechnology. The school is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and impressive collection of game-changing research.
4. University of Ottawa
uOttawa offers close-mentoring programs which provide students with the necessary tools to contribute to society's current biology-related problems, including stem cell research and endangered species conservation.
3. University of Guelph
UoG has multiple biology-related research focuses, including comparative animal physiology, ecology and evolutionary biology. Its comprehensive undergraduate program prepares students not only for science careers, but also for business, environment and medical careers.
2. McMaster University
McMaster trains its students for a future in research, biotechnology and medicine. A faculty of experienced educators offers a high quality education in an interactive setting.
1. University of Toronto
UofT has no single biology department and instead offers courses that are taught by members of related departments. This allows students to customize their education experience to match their own interests.
For the best Mathematics schools in Ontario, click Next.
Mathematics
5. Queen's University
Queen's consists of a vibrant community of highly experienced educators and students that work together towards the advancement of mathematics and statistics research.
4. University of Ottawa
uOttawa has one of the most research-intensivh matj environments in the province. It is supported by two of the most prestigious mathematical research institutes in Canada, and offers leading programs for prospective students.
3. McMaster University
McMaster's math department is one of the larger departments on the campus, with 35 full-time faculty and 18 postdoctoral fellows. A core undergraduate program allows students to specialize into other areas like actuarial science and finance down the road.
2. University of Waterloo
UWaterloo consists of the largest concentration of mathematics talent in the world. Its reputation for quality was established by its top educators, innovators and researchers in the fields of mathematics, statistics and computers science.
1. University of Toronto
UofT's mathematics program has been around since 1827 and now consists of a distinguished faculty of more than 60 mathematicians. Their large selection of courses and seminars help to prepare students for bright careers as data analysts and statisticians in top companies around the world.
For the best Environmental Science schools in Ontario, click Next.
Environmental Science
5. Queen's University
Queen's offers an interdisciplinary approach to environmental science education and collaborative problem solving. The school engages with the government and industry leaders to pursue meaningful environmental research and practices.
4. McMaster University
McMaster offers environmental science programs that use a hands-on approach to learning. Students develop an understanding of scientific methods beyond theory that they can apply to relevant careers in science and other fields.
3. University of Guelph
UoG consists of a team of internationally-recognized experts in life and physical sciences. Students who are serious about a agriculture career in particular will appreciate the schools wide range of related programs, which include agroforestry and apiculture.
2. University of Toronto
UofT is dedicated to fostering research, education and community service concerning the environment. Its programs offers students a general education on environmental science so they can branch out into specific specialties later in their studies.
1. University of Waterloo
UWaterloo employs a unique approach that emphasizes science and math in environment-related subjects. Specializations in ecology and geoscience brings forth graduates with useful skills for distinct industries.
For the best Psychology schools in Ontario, click Next.
Psychology
5. McMaster University
McMaster is a leader in the study of brain-behavioural relations. A wide offering of courses gives students an in-depth education in the psychological sciences.
4. Queen's University
Queen's is a research-intensive department that houses many of the world's most outstanding researchers in the field. Internationally-renowned research programs give students an edge in employment and research opportunities after graduation.
3. Western University
Western's psychology program was ranked 38th in the world in the 2017 QS World University rankings. It is a leading contributor of psychological advancements, with multiple focuses in clinical, medical, industrial and social research.
2. University of Waterloo
UWaterloo's psychology department was founded in the 1960s and has quickly become one of the world's most renowned for psychological science. It consists of 42 expert educators divided over six major research areas and is funded by Canada's tri-council agencies - NSERC, SSHRC and the CIHR.
1. University of Toronto
UofT consists of top psychology educators that are currently based in affiliated hospitals and research institutes. This means students are exposed to the most recent developments in the major areas psychology and are well-prepped for careers in psychological research.