Since Queen's University conferred the nation's first business degree in 1921, Canadian business schools have seen tremendous change. These universities, which at first concentrated on accounting and finance, today provide a wide range of courses covering big data, digital technology, entrepreneurship, and other topics. This article presents the finest business schools in Canada for 2024, outlining their undergraduate and postgraduate courses, strengths, and distinguishing features.
McGill Desautels Faculty of Management
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Attracting students from more than 75 countries, McGill Desautels Faculty of Management is consistently recognized among the best business programs in the world. A variety of majors and concentrations are available in the undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree, enabling students to customize their education to meet their professional objectives. With an average GMAT score of 670, Desautels provides flexible MBA programs for postgraduate students, including full-time, part-time, and EMBA choices. Additionally, the institution offers a doctoral program in management with specializations in marketing, accounting, retail management, organizational behavior, and retail management. With a high job placement record and a strong emphasis on international business, Desautels equips students with prosperous careers in the global marketplace.
John Molson School of Business (Concordia University)
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Concordia University's John Molson School of Business provides a comprehensive Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) curriculum with nine areas of specialization, including accounting, economics, and marketing. The postgraduate programs offered by the school include executive MBAs, full-time and part-time MBAs, and an MBA focused on investment management. The employment rate for John Molson's MBA programs is outstanding, with 100% of EMBA alumni finding work within three months of graduation. The school recently established a Center for Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership, emphasizing leadership and entrepreneurship.
Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
With more than 3,000 students, Rotman School of Management provides a variety of programs meant to get students ready for life in today's business landscape. In collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Science, Rotman offers a full-time undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree with an emphasis on accounting, financial analysis, and entrepreneurship. Full-time, part-time, and executive MBA programs are among the postgraduate options; more than 90 elective courses let students customize their coursework to fit their desired career paths. There are additional specialized master's degrees offered in professional accounting, finance, and financial risk management. With an average MBA salary of $115,000 and a high job placement record of 92.5% within six months of graduation, Rotman is renowned for its extensive co-op programs and relationships with major international corporations like Amazon and J.P. Morgan.
Smith School of Business (Queen’s University)
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Queen's University's Smith School of Business is well known for its extensive and competitive curriculum. One of the hardest undergraduate programs to get into is the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), which focuses on customer analytics, sustainable finance, and commercial ventures. Smith provides a range of MBA programs for postgraduate students, including accelerated and full-time options. These programs address topics like corporate strategy, analytics, accounting, leadership, and communications. With an emphasis on business research and professionalism, the institution also offers PhDs and graduate diplomas. Smith takes pride in its 98% job placement rate and strong business ties with organizations such as Scotiabank and IBM, which ensure graduates are well-prepared for high-paying associate positions soon following graduation.
Ivey Business School (Western University)
Location: London, Ontario
With a focus on case-method learning, Ivey Business School provides students with a practical business education that equips them for real-world challenges. The core of the undergraduate Honors Business Administration (HBA) curriculum is the Ivey Leadership Essentials, which include taking initiative, accepting complexity, managing priorities, utilizing team talent, and persuading others. Ivey provides MBA, accelerated MBA, EMBA, and MBA direct programs for Honors Bachelor of Arts students among other postgraduate offerings. The esteemed PhD program at the institution places a strong emphasis on research and teaching preparation. Ivey advertises a 91% job placement rate within six months of graduation. Additionally, the school provides overseas programs that expand students' perspectives on global business, such as an EMBA in Hong Kong.
Schulich School of Business (York University)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
The Schulich School of Business is praised for its wealth of specializations and global orientation. With specializations in accounting, economics, operations management, and family business studies, the undergraduate programs include the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and the International Bachelor of Business Administration (iBBA). The average GMAT score of Schulich students is 660, and the school offers flexible full- and part-time MBA programs in both Canada and India. A number of master's programs are also offered by the institution, including those in supply chain management, real estate and infrastructure, finance, marketing, accounting, artificial intelligence, management, and artificial intelligence in artificial intelligence. Schulich is renowned for its dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as its extensive global network with offices in China, South Korea, and Russia.
Sauder School of Business (University of British Columbia)
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Sauder School of Business focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship while providing a vibrant, multicultural learning environment. The undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) curriculum facilitates the development of fundamental business abilities and provides opportunities for international study abroad to enhance students' comprehension of international business marketplaces. Sauder offers several MBA programs at the postgraduate level, including full-time, international, and professional MBAs. A special Ch'nook Indigenous Business Education program is also available at the school, which incorporates Indigenous identity, culture, values, and language into the business curriculum. Sauder places a strong emphasis on sustainable business practices and global business perspectives because a sizable percentage of its MBA students are international.
Alberta School of Business (University of Alberta)
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Throughout its curricula, the Alberta School of Business places an emphasis on entrepreneurship and real estate business practices. The Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program at the undergraduate level provides eleven majors, such as accounting, business studies, business economics and law, and human resource management. Postgraduate courses include a variety of MBA programs, including full-time, fast-track, part-time, and a specialized Energy MBA that focuses on energy and natural resource leadership. In addition, Alberta provides a Master of Accounting program for individuals seeking a CPA designation. Alberta's business school is well-known for emphasizing innovation and real-world experience while preparing students for leadership positions across a range of industries.
DeGroote School of Business (McMaster University)
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
With a 97% job placement record within six months, DeGroote School of Business is renowned for producing highly employable graduates. The undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program emphasizes fundamental business abilities, with the option to join the honors commerce program in the third year. The emphasis of DeGroote's MBA program is experiential learning, which is achieved through internships and co-ops with major corporations like Microsoft, RBC, and Procter & Gamble. The school also offers a PhD degree in health policy and an EMBA program that focuses on managing digital systems. DeGroote's trading floor simulation offers practical learning opportunities in a real-world context for students studying finance.
HEC Montréal
Location: Montreal, Quebec
HEC Montréal, a French-language college, provides a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program in three languages: French, English, and Spanish. The full-time MBA program at the university prioritizes studying international business and requires a strong GMAT entrance score. The combined EMBA program offered by HEC and McGill University emphasizes real-world business problem-solving and offers substantial networking possibilities. HEC is well-known for its research and education in management, which draws students from all over the world and equips them for positions of leadership in a range of industries.
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics (Wilfrid Laurier University)
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
With a 98% employment rate for graduates of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, Lazaridis School of Business and Economics is home to Canada's largest business and economics co-op program. A wide range of undergraduate degrees are available at the institution, including financial mathematics, computer science, business administration, and business technology management. Postgraduate options include full-time, part-time, and co-op MBA programs along with specialty programs in management, accounting, business technology management, and business economics. Lazaridis places a strong emphasis on networking through extensive business partnerships and real-world experience.
Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business (University of Waterloo)
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business focuses on strengthening students' marketable abilities through collaborations with industry leaders such as Research In Motion. The school provides courses in business and entrepreneurship to students in engineering as well as other fields. Conrad offers postgraduate programs that emphasize innovation and hands-on learning, such as the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program. With a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, Conrad prepares students to spearhead the next generation of technical developments and business innovations.
Haskayne School of Business (University of Calgary)
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Recognized for emphasizing social and environmental effect, Haskayne School of Business offers one of the best MBA programs for sustainability. The undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) curriculum prioritizes experiential learning through cooperative education and offers chances for international exchange. A range of full-time, part-time, and accelerated MBA programs, along with specialized courses in sustainable energy development, are available for postgraduate study. In addition, Haskayne provides a PhD program and a Doctor of Business Administration, training students for leadership positions in several industries, including the green movement.
Beedie School of Business (Simon Fraser University)
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) curriculum at Beedie School of Business places a strong emphasis on problem-solving, case studies, and flexibility in a constantly changing global marketplace. In order to provide students with an advantage in the job market, the program offers joint majors and supplementary credentials. Beedie offers both full-time and part-time MBA programs for postgraduate students, in addition to a Master of Technology MBA. One of the special EMBA programs offered by the school is the Indigenous Business Leadership program, which focuses on entrepreneurship, economic development, and indigenous business. It is the only one of its kind in North America. Beedie is a great option for those interested in international business because of its reputation for having a varied and globally focused curriculum.
Ted Rogers School of Management (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
With approximately 12,000 students enrolled, Ted Rogers School of Management offers 11 specializations for the Bachelor of Commerce (BComm), including entrepreneurship, marketing management, and hotel and tourism management. In partnership with the Faculty of Community Services, the institution also provides a Bachelor of Health Administration program. Ted Rogers offers postgraduate MBA programs that prioritize experiential learning and have a minimum GMAT score requirement of 550. In addition to several professional master's degrees in fields including accounting and health administration, the school provides a Master of Science in Management and a PhD in Management. Ted Rogers, which is situated in the biggest metropolis in Canada, gives students access to major corporations and valuable networking opportunities.
Rowe School of Business (Dalhousie University)
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Rowe School of Business focuses on critical business subjects such as accounting, finance, technology, supply chain management, and strategy. A mandatory co-op component gives undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) students real-world exposure to a variety of businesses. Additionally, the institution provides a Bachelor of Management curriculum that integrates information management and environmental resource management among various other disciplines. Postgraduate programs include an online/blended MBA, an MBA with a corporate residency, and a Master of Science in Business that gets students ready for PhD programs. Rowe places a strong emphasis on disruption and innovation, motivating students to question the existing quo and push for market change.
Peter B. Gustavson School of Business (University of Victoria)
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Gustavson School of Business provides a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree that emphasizes networking through small class numbers and strong community links. Students from different disciplines can also pursue a minor in business. Postgraduate options include a Master of Management degree, an MBA program focused on sustainable innovation, and a Master of Global Business program with alternatives for overseas study. The PhD program at the university focuses on international business. As evidence of the program's success in preparing students for the corporate world, Gustavson touts an impressive 100% employment rate for its MBA graduates within three months of graduation.
University of Fredericton (UFred)
Location: Online
The University of Fredericton (UFred) provides entirely online MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs in nine disciplines, including real estate, innovation, and social entrepreneurship. The part-time, completely online programs prioritize leadership development and lifelong learning through virtual classes, collaborative group projects, and a virtual campus environment. The faculty at UFred has a great deal of expertise in instructing remotely, and the school does not charge extra for overseas students. UFred is a pioneer in remote business education because of its flexible and accessible online learning methodology.
Sobey School of Business (Saint Mary’s University)
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Sobey School of Business provides a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) curriculum with ten majors and notable international study options available. Additionally, the school offers distinctive educational opportunities through collaborations with establishments such as Beijing Normal University. In addition to multiple MBA programs with different areas of expertise, postgraduate programs include a Master of Applied Economics, a Master in Finance, and a Master of Technology Entrepreneurship. The high employment rate of Sobey's MBA graduates highlights how well the curriculum equips students for leadership positions in an international corporate setting.
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics (University of Guelph)
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics is well-known for its commitment to sustainability. The institution provides a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree and a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program, with minors available in business data analytics, sport management, and accounting. Lang offers specializations in sustainable commerce, food and agribusiness management, and hotel and tourism management. Its MBA programs do not require a GMAT score. In order to foster effective leadership abilities, the institution also provides a Master of Leadership program. Lang prepares students to be leaders in sustainable business practices and places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility.
A successful career depends on selecting the appropriate business school. Canadian universities such as Sauder, Smith, Ivey, Schulich, and Rotman offer outstanding opportunities for students to acquire fundamental knowledge and skills. These schools' innovative curriculum and strong industry contacts ensure that graduates are well-prepared to succeed in today's competitive business environment.
