University of Alberta Drops to Sixth in National Research Ranking

The University of Alberta has fallen one position in the latest national ranking of research universities, now placed sixth in Canada. This shift occurred in the annual assessment by Research Infosource, which evaluates various metrics of research performance. The University of Calgary has moved up to fifth place, reflecting a growing competitive landscape among Canadian institutions.

The ranking considers several factors including faculty headcount, graduate student enrollment, and financial data sourced from Statistics Canada. For the fiscal year 2024, the University of Alberta reported a sponsored research income of $573,149, which represents a decline of 7.7 percent compared to the previous year. In contrast, the University of Calgary reported a research income of $588,483, marking an increase of 7.9 percent year over year.

Performance Context and Additional Rankings

This latest ranking adds to a year of mixed outcomes for the University of Alberta on the international stage. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the institution was positioned at 119th globally, maintaining its status within the top 150 universities worldwide. Additionally, the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) also placed the university in the top 150, ranking it fifth in Canada—an improvement from its sixth place last year.

The presence of other Alberta universities in these rankings highlights the province’s academic strengths. The University of Lethbridge was ranked 40th in the same Research Infosource assessment, indicating a broader competitive environment within the region.

As the University of Alberta navigates these changes and challenges, the implications for its research capabilities and funding will be closely observed. The fluctuating positions in both national and global rankings underscore the dynamic nature of academic research and competition.