Acadia University has been named one of the top undergraduate schools in Canada by Maclean's magazine in its 22^nd annual University Rankings issue, released today and set to be on newsstands tomorrow

“Acadia offers students a rare opportunity to excel in a rigorous academic atmosphere while they are challenged to learn the value of being responsible citizens,” says Ray Ivany, Acadia’s President and Vice Chancellor. “To be among the top institutions in our Maclean’s category year over year highlights that Acadia’s campus model consistently places student success at the forefront of our institutional mission. When combined with survey data from our own students such as the Globe and Mail and the National Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE), the Maclean’s rankings provide prospective students with information they can use to make an informed choice about which university will best meet their needs. We are all proud of what Acadia offers students and the role we play in developing the next generation of leaders.”

The Maclean's rankings placed Mount Allison and two western Canadian universities ahead of Acadia. Acadia tied for first place with Mount Allison for student academic awards from international, national and professional funding bodies. 

“Acadia is an institution that prides itself not only in providing the best undergraduate education in the country, but transforming its students into responsible global citizens,” said Matthew Rios, president of the Acadia Students’ Union. “By the time we leave Acadia, we are nothing like the people we were when we arrived. In addition to our formal education, we have learned about ourselves and how we can make a difference in the world. Acadia is a place that values the individual, and sees all of its students as people with a story rather than just a number. I’m certain my university experience would not have been even close to what I have experienced here if I were anywhere else.”

In the 22 years that Maclean's has published its annual comparisons, Acadia has been in the top three 19 times despite multiple changes to the evaluation methods. Acadia consistently ranks above the national average for key student satisfaction elements such as faculty-student interaction, active and collaborative learning, and supportive campus environment measured in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).

The results follow Acadia's impressive showing of top marks in the Globe and Mail's Canadian University Report, where Acadia earned A level grades in 17 of 19 categories, and earned A+ grades for quality of teaching and learning and student-faculty interaction.

Learn more at Macleans.ca

View the Globe and Mail Canadian University Report.

Review NSSE data.

About Acadia

Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at www.acadiau.ca.