Why Canada Is Still the #1 Choice for International Students in 2025
Thinking about studying abroad? You're not alone—and if you're leaning toward Canada, you're in great company! According to the Spring 2025 ApplyBoard Student Pulse Survey, Canada is still the top pick for international students from around the world.
Close to 850 students took part in the survey, and while the U.S. had a strong showing for "extremely interested" responses, Canada came out on top overall. More students said they were “very interested” or “moderately interested” in studying in Canada, giving it the highest score by weighted average. In fact, 94% of survey participants showed some level of interest in choosing Canada—proof that it's still the place to be in 2025!
So, what makes Canada such a popular destination? It’s the perfect mix of world-class education, welcoming communities, and exciting opportunities after graduation. From top universities and colleges to valuable options like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and clear immigration pathways, Canada offers students not just an education—but a future.
Featured World Ranked Universities
University of Alberta - The University of Alberta (U of A) is ranked 96th globally and 4th in Canada in the 2025 QS World University Ranking. In the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, it is placed 116th worldwide, tying for 4th in Canada. With strong academic programs, a high graduate employability rate (97%) and a welcoming and diverse campus, this is a university you will want to check out and apply to.
University of Waterloo - The University of Waterloo is ranked 115th globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and 163rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. International students are drawn to Waterloo for its renowned co-op program, which offers paid work experience with top employers like Google and Amazon. The university's strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship is evident, as it has been ranked as Canada's most innovative university for over 30 years.
Western University - Western University, located in London, Ontario, is ranked between 201–250 globally in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings . It is also recognized as one of Canada's top institutions for sustainability, placing 30th worldwide and 4th nationally in the QS Sustainability Rankings. International students are drawn to Western for its diverse academic offerings, including over 400 undergraduate and 150 graduate programs across various disciplines . The university's commitment to sustainability, with initiatives like the Campus as a Living Lab program, provides students with opportunities to engage in impactful environmental projects .
In addition to the above 3 top world rated universities, other universities with a strong reputation in Canada are the University of Windsor, Manitoba, UNB, Wilfrid Laurier University, Trent University, UNBC, Thomson Rivers University and MacEwan University. Some of these universities are among the top ranked primarily undergraduate universities in Canada. For example, UNBC has consistently placed in the top five in Maclean's University Rankings for 20 consecutive years and was ranked #2 in the latest edition. Trent University is ranked #1 in Ontario and is #1 in Canada for scholarships.
Ready to start your journey? Canada’s waiting! Let Go 2 Canada Education Services help you explore 15 of Canada’s well-established public institutions.