Top 10 MBA programmes in Canada

The QS Global MBA Rankings 2024 have been released today, ranking business schools from around the world. The rankings are split up into regions: Asia, Europe, Canada, Oceania, Latin America, and the US with 22 Canadian schools making it to the list this year. 

MBA programmes were ranked based on the indicators of employability, entrepreneurship and alumni outcomes, return on investment, thought leadership, and diversity. You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here. 

Alternatively, if you would like to explore this ranking in further detail, click here to view the full table. 

10. DeGroote School of Business 

• Tuition fees: CAD $49,300 (Domestic students) / CAD $111,300 (International students)
• Percentage of female students: 30% 
• Students in class: 46 

The full-time MBA programme starts annually in September and spans 20 months, including an optional four-month paid summer internship. Geared towards individuals with one-seven years of work experience, the first-year classes run from 8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, with occasional weekends dedicated to networking, career advancement, and professional development activities. 

Students can specialise in accounting, business analytics, finance, health services management, strategic business valuation, marketing, or opt for a general MBA. Graduates will acquire the experience and skills necessary to navigate current industry demands and prepare for future opportunities. 

9. HEC Montréal 

• Tuition fees: CAD $9,600 (Quebec students), CAD $20,600 (non-Quebec students), CAD $59,100 (international students) 
• Students in class: 40 

The 12-month MBA programme begins in September. It comprises of 54 credits, encompassing core courses (22.5 credits) that focus on mastering management tools and practices within diverse teams.  

The programme also includes a unique experiential leadership journey (8.5 credits), featuring coaching, workshops, and personal development pathways. Additionally, there's a sustainable development pathway (12 credits) offering a graduate certificate, and an opportunity to customise the MBA with various learning experiences (six credits) aligned with career goals. 

8. John Molson School of Business 

• Tuition fees: CAD $6,000 (Quebec students), CAD $14,000 (non-Quebec students), CAD $40,000 (international students) 
• Percentage of female students: 40.2% 
• Percentage of international students: 49.2% 
• Students in class: 80 (fall term), 40 (winter term) 

The first part of the two-year MBA programme is made up of 10 core courses, providing students with an integrated body of basic practical skills. Each core course is worth three credits. Additionally, the students have the flexibility to complete this MBA in as little as 16 months by taking summer classes. 

In the second part, students must complete 15 credits from a variety of electives, and/or experiential learning activities, like the MBA Community Service Initiative; Small Business Consulting Bureau, and Strategies in Action.    

7. Alberta School of Business

• Tuition fees: CAD $54,000 (domestic students), CAD $60,000 (international students) 
• Percentage of female students: 35% 
• Students in class: 41 

The UAlberta MBA is a 20-course (60-credit) programme completed over two years. Following orientation, the MBA Association organises a weekend retreat to the Rocky Mountains. 

Students can expect to be in a class of approximately 40 students on core courses, with closer to 25 participants on elective courses. 94 percent of students accepted jobs three months after graduation. 

Participants can follow one MBA Career Track including: energy finance; public sector & healthcare management, innovation and entrepreneurship, operations & business analytics, strategy & consulting or real estate focus area. 

Outside the classroom, students can represent Alberta at the MBA Games, create social change with Net Impact, or get involved with the MBA Association. 

6. Schulich School of Business

• Tuition fees: CAD $72,100 (domestic students), CAD $117,850 (international students) 
• Percentage of female students: 33% 
• Percentage of international students: 55% 

Schulich’s 20-month MBA programme earned the highest score for ROI in Canada. 89 percent of students were hired within three months of graduation, and 141 companies hired Schulich grads. 

The MBA curriculum includes 33 credits of core courses, and 27 credits of elective courses. As the capstone of the programme, students will take part in a strategy field study which is a consulting project conducted over a period of two terms.  

Schulich’s Graduate Business Council hosts social events including weekend getaways, hikes, and socials enriching the student experience by providing you with a chance to network, socialise and foster personal development.  

5. Smith School of Business

• Tuition fees: CAD $83,795 (domestic students), CAD $105,100 (international students) 
• Percentage of female students: 46% 
• Percentage of international students: 30% 
• Students in class: 69 

This 12-month MBA programme, ranked second in Canada for the employability indicator, begins with a comprehensive overview of business fundamentals and an integrated team project. The project provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with small to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and apply their learning throughout the programme. 

The curriculum includes an individual project, electives, and the option to specialise in consulting, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance, management analytics, or marketing & sales.  

The Smith School of Business also focuses on enhancing students' cultural intelligence and provides pre-MBA ‘warm-up' sessions in five quantitative areas: financial accounting, finance, business analytics, strategic thinking, and data manipulation. 

4. Sauder School of Business 

• Tuition fees: CAD $53,492 (domestic students), CAD $98,341 (International students) 
• Percentage of female students: 40% 
• Percentage of international students: 60% 
• Students in class: 84 

Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia’s 16-month UBC MBA programme encompasses: creativity; decision making; global issues & macroeconomics; ethics & sustainability; leadership development. 

Students can choose from five career tracks in one of the following; finance, product & service management, innovation & entrepreneurship, technology & analytics leadership, custom. 

The Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre (BCC) is staffed with MBA career coaches who will help you develop your market skills and shape your career. 

3. Ivey Business School

• Tuition fees: CAD $83,250 (domestic students), $126,600 (international students) 
• Percentage of female students: 35% 
• Percentage of international students: 35% 
• Students in class: 146 

Ivey’s 12-month programme earned the highest score for entrepreneurship & alumni outcomes in the Canadian region. 92 percent of MBA graduates actively seeking opportunities received job offers within three months of graduation, with a high 98 percent reporting rate. 

The initial six months of the programme focus on building the foundational knowledge through core courses. Following this, students have the flexibility to choose up to 12 elective courses from five different areas of interest.  

As part of the programme, students can enhance their global network through optional study trips to Costa Rica, Portugal, or Silicon Valley. They also have the option to pursue an exchange term or volunteer opportunities for a more in-depth international immersion. 

2. McGill University

• Tuition fees: CAD $83,500 (domestic students), CAD $102,500 (international students) 
• Percentage of female students: 31% 
• Percentage of international students: 60% 
• Students in class: 65-85 

Climbing up to be ranked second in the list this year, McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management’s 20-month programme is also second in Canada for entrepreneurship & alumni outcomes and return on investment. 

The Desautels MBA programme offers flexibility with two course length options: a one-year, 48-credit general MBA or a two-year, 54-credit MBA accompanied with an internship. Additionally, students can partake in international study opportunities, including a 10-day trip where the entire cohort travels together. 

Students can also pursue a variety of local and/or international internships opportunities or choose to study in another top business school through the exchange programme. Students can also complete a specialised project during their MBA if they wish to.  

1. Rotman School of Management

• Tuition fees: CAD $92,540 (domestic students), CAD $136,410 (international students) 
• Percentage of female students: 49% 
• Percentage of international students: 70% 
• Students in class: 266 

Landing the number one place for MBA programmes in Canada yet again is Rotman School of Management – also earning the highest score for diversity, thought leadership and employability, in Canada.  

Rotman’s two-year programme is composed of 16 months of academic study with a 4-month opportunity for a paid internship. It also has more than 90 elective courses to allowing maximum customisation. 

The flexible internship programme offers three internship periods after completing the first year, from May-August, September-December, and January-April. 

Rotman’s Self-Development Lab (SDL) gives personalised feedback on students’ behavioural performance and communication style (among other areas) through a series of individual coaching sessions and small group workshops. These efforts are directed at ensuring students develop key interpersonal skills required to become effective problem-solvers in business. 

FAQs 

What is the best MBA programme in Canada? 

The full-time MBA programme of Rotman School of Management in Toronto, Ontario is ranked first in the list this year. For additional details about this programme, please visit this link. 

What is the average salary of an MBA graduate? 

The average salary of an MBA graduate can vary widely based on factors such as the business school attended, the industry, and the region. However, on average, MBA graduates in Canada tend to earn competitive salaries, often above the national average. It's important to note that salary figures can change over time, and it's advisable to check the latest data and specific industry trends for the most accurate information.