Canada is a great place to study finance. Many good universities offer degrees in this field, and if you choose the right one, you can be sure that you will get a good education.
Many of Canada’s most popular finance schools are located in Toronto, which boasts one of the largest economies in North America. However, there are also several other top-ranking universities outside of this major city that offer excellent programs in finance and business.
Canada is one of the greatest destinations to study your master’s program in finance, notably for its best educational setting and most crucially, worldwide credibility for its degrees. In this guide, I will show you some of the best Finance schools in Canada. We quantitatively assessed the programs and approaches taken by these institutions and ranked them based on modern standards.
Page Contents
- Top Finance Colleges/Universities In Canada
- 1. McGill University
- 2. University of Toronto
- 3. University of British Columbia
- 4. Queen’s University
- 5. York University
- 6. Université de Montréal
- 7. University of Waterloo
- 8. Western University
- 9. McMaster University
- 10. Université Laval
- Job Opportunities In Canada With A Finance Degree
Top Finance Colleges/Universities In Canada
A finance degree is an investment in your future. It’s a prerequisite for many high-paying jobs in the financial sector and a good choice for people who want to start their own businesses. Many Canadian universities offer degrees in finance, but not all of them are worth your time or money.
If you want to pursue a degree in finance and accounting in a high-quality institution, these are some of the best schools to enroll in.
1. McGill University
If you’re thinking about a future in banking, McGill, renowned for its MBA program, as well as its courses in finance, analytics, law, and other subjects, should be on your list of potential colleges.
Compared to other Canadian universities that provide accounting and finance courses, the School of Continuing Studies at McGill University is a leader.
To succeed in the finance industry, students who attend this school will develop a solid understanding of the field of finance, including corporate finance, investment banking, portfolio management, risk management, financial planning, and sustainable financial management.
McGill University offers programs in finance for both graduates and undergraduates.
For the undergraduate programs, you can earn a BCom Honors in Economics, BA Honors in Economics, BCom with an Economics, Accounting, or Finance major, BCom with Joint Honors in Economics and Finance, or BCom with Joint Honors in Economics and Accounting.
You can earn an MA degree in Economics or an MMF degree (Master of Management in Finance) for the graduate programs.
- Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Contact: +1 514-398-4455
- Email: sisreport@mcgill.ca
- Website: https://www.mcgill.ca
- Tuition fee: Undergraduate fee for students in Quebec is $5173; $11,106 for students outside Quebec and $66,873 for international students.
The graduate fee for the MBA program is $5640 for local students and $7700 for international students. For MMF program, local students pay $13,300 while international students pay $20,956. For the MA program, regional students pay $5500 while international students pay $9,330.
2. University of Toronto
It is the first graduate degree in North America to combine accounting and finance. By enrolling in classes through this program, you can visit the Scarborough campus in Toronto.
The MAccFin program offers students a top-notch, hands-on education that prepares them for the Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst, and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants certifications and co-op programs that get them real-world work experience.
Finance is one of the University’s top subjects, offering over 90 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Undergraduate programs include a Four-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics, Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics and Mathematics, Financial Economics, and Mathematical Applications in Economics and Finance. Four-year Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with a specialty in Accounting or Finance and Economics. The emphasis on research is typically greater in BSc programs than in BCom and BA degrees.
Graduate programs, including Master’s degrees in finance, are available for two years. Financial risk management for ten months, accounting and finance for sixteen months, economics for eight months, management and professional accounting for eighteen months, and mathematical finance for one year.
- Location: Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
- Contact: +1 416-978-2011
- Email: ask@adm.utoronto.ca
- Website: https://www.utoronto.ca
- Tuition fee: Undergraduate tuition is usually 16,000 CAD per year for domestic students and 65,000 CAD per year for international students. Students for graduate programs are to pay a fee of about 46,270 CAD.
3. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is the best in Vancouver, Canada. In the QS 2019 survey, the institution was ranked third for graduate employability and boasted an excellent on-campus recruitment program.
It provides a comprehensive range of graduate and postgraduate degrees in business administration, international economics, and more. After graduating from UBC, you’re guaranteed a fantastic accounting or finance career thanks to the University’s industry-relevant curriculum and knowledgeable instructors.
- Location: Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Contact: +1 604-822-2211
- Website: https://www.ubc.ca/
- Tuition: The MSCB program costs CAD 18,262.62, while the MA in Economics is about CAD 25,871. The annual tuition for overseas students with bachelor’s degrees ranges from $41,156 to CAD 53,254.
4. Queen’s University
Queen’s University, situated in Ontario, Canada, was established in 1841 by the royal charter of Queen Victoria and is frequently mentioned among the best universities in that country.
The University provides over 150 graduate and undergraduate courses, with business administration, accounting, and finance among its most well-liked offerings. The Smith School of Business at Queen’s University is located in Kingston and offers courses in finance, commerce, and accounting with a concentration on business management.
- Location: 99 University Ave, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Contact: +1 613-533-2000
- Email: admission@queensu.ca
- Website: https://www.queensu.ca/
- Tuition: The total cost of the international tuition for the MA program is CAD 51,709.80. The Master of Finance program has a total tuition cost of CAD 71,595.
The Graduate Diploma in Accounting program costs $16,500 CAD for international students. The annual tuition charge (for 30 credits) for undergraduate arts degrees is CAD 50,925.60.
5. York University
Established in 1959, York University is a public university in Ontario, Canada. With more than 11 faculties in several streams, it is the second-largest institute in Ontario and the third-largest in Canada.
The University is renowned for offering excellent financial aid to students and has some excellent degrees in business, finance, and law. The University is placed 5th in the Time Higher Education Rankings and was selected as the top business school in The Economics, 2019, both published in 2019. (2019).
- Location: 4700 Keele St, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
- Contact: +1 416-736-2100
- Website: https://www.yorku.ca/
- Tuition: The cost of tuition for Canadian citizens is approximately $10,000 per year. More than $35,000 can be estimated for international students.
The total cost of tuition for the MAcc program is CAD 56,700. For admittance into the MAcc program, international students who did not complete their undergraduate studies in Canada must first complete an eight-month Diploma in Intermediate Accounting (DIA) with at least a B average (entering Term 2).
The total cost of the MF and MA programs is CAD 80,150 and $ CAD 12,550, respectively. The annual tuition fee (for 30 credits) for BA programs is CAD 32,501.40. The annual foreign student fee for BCom programs is CAD 34,622.70 (30 credits).
6. Université de Montréal
Consider enrolling at the Université de Montréal if you’re thinking about a career in accounting and have a passion for French (UdeM).
The public University was established in Montreal, Canada, in 1878 and provides graduate programs and specializations in finance, management, mathematics, and economics. According to Shanghai Ranking, UdeM is ranked #7 among the Best Universities in Canada (2019).
Université de Montréal have graduate programs available in computational finance, economic sciences, and mathematics (both programs are offered in French only). French-language undergraduate programs include a BSc in Economics and a bachelor’s degree in finance.
- Location: Montreal Branch, (Quebec) H3C 3T5 Canada
- Contact: +1 514-343-6111
- Website: https://www.umontreal.ca/
- Tuition: The typical annual tuition cost for graduate programs is CAD 27,992.70. The typical annual tuition for overseas undergraduate students is CAD 24,607.80.
7. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a public research university with the main campus in Waterloo, Ontario. Founded in 1957 as the Waterloo College Associate Faculties (WCAA), the institution was established to fill the need to train engineers and technicians for Canada’s growing postwar economy. It was renamed “University of Waterloo” in 1967 when it became a full-fledged university.
The University of Waterloo offers several finance programs that are among the best in Canada. The finance department at the University of Waterloo is one of the largest in Canada and has produced some of the top professionals in the industry.
The program is designed for students who want to pursue corporate finance or investment management careers. Students will learn how to use financial theory and statistical methods to solve real-world business problems. Graduates will be prepared for careers as analysts, portfolio managers or consultants.
- Location: 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Contact: +1 519-888-4567
- Email: askus@uwaterloo.ca
- Website: https://uwaterloo.ca/
- Tuition: The cost of tuition for international students in MA programs averages $7,254 each term, with a minimum of two terms needed. Two or three additional terms are typically required for co-op programs.
The term price for the MQF program, which consists of three academic terms and one internship term, is CAD 5,668 for international students.
A four-year curriculum with several co-op terms is the BAFM. Around CAD 183,143 is the program’s total tuition cost. The tuition for other BA programs ranges from $53,456 to CAD 66,482.82 annually.
8. Western University
Western’s finance program allows students to take courses in financial management, corporate finance, international finance and investment analysis.
Students, teachers, staff, alumni, and the general public from the broad community that Western has always maintained and advanced. We are responsible for upholding standards in our student-centered instruction, a relevant and exciting curriculum, and multidisciplinary research that expands our understanding of problems in the real world.
This university boasts many achievements and plays a very important role in inspiring the local and global community to advance knowledge, seize opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship, and improve society.
- Location: 1151 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Contact: +1 519-661-2111
- Email: international@uwo.ca (for international students) or welcome@uwo.ca
- Website: http://www.uwo.ca/
- Tuition: The MA in Economics program costs approximately CAD 27,827.86. A student may enrol in the Ph.D. program after earning an average grade of 85% in this program. The cost of tuition for international students in the Master of Financial Economics program is CAD 76,088.
A one-term Graduate Diploma in Accounting program costs CAD 16,000. The typical tuition cost for overseas students enrolled in undergraduate programs is CAD 136,980 for the whole four-year course of study.
9. McMaster University
Over 4000+ international students attend McMaster University, a prestigious college in Hamilton, Ontario. With more than 70 research centers and institutions in Canada, it was founded in 1887 and now offers more than 3000 programs.
In the fields of economics, business, accounting, and finance, McMaster University provides a number of graduate and postgraduate degrees. According to QS, the school is ranked #4 in Canada (2020).
The School of Accounting at McMaster University offers multiple programs explicitly designed for students interested in accounting careers. These programs are designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in their careers.
- Location: 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Contact: +1 905-525-9140
- Website: http://www.mcmaster.ca/
10. Université Laval
Université Laval is the first institution in North America to offer instruction in French. Université Laval is the largest French-language university in North America and one of the oldest universities in Canada. It has over 42,000 students and more than 3,000 professors and researchers.
They have admissions for the fall, winter, and spring and offer more than 500 programs with more than 1000 online courses. Laval offers a wide range of programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels in numerous fields such as science, arts, engineering and business administration.
The institution provides some distance learning programs in finance and economics, including a Master of Science in Business Administration (M.Sc.) and a Specialized Graduate Studies Degree focusing on financial data management, analytics, and other topics (DESS).
- Location: 2325 Rue de l’Université, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Contact: +1 418-656-2131
- Website: https://www.ulaval.ca/
Job Opportunities In Canada With A Finance Degree
Canada is one of the best country in the world to study finance because there are many job prospects, scholarship chances, and top-notch educational institutions.
After earning your degree in finance, you can choose from various professions. Many accountancy firms, investment and high street banks, insurance companies, management consultancies, and other organizations are hiring finance graduates for positions.
Finance is broad. Here ae some of the top in-demand Careers in finance include:
- Financial analyst: Financial analysts examine a company’s financial data. They can advise firms making investment decisions and projecting for the future by studying historical financial and investment data and estimating future revenues and expenses. They earn a yearly average salary of about $63,000.
- Financial manager: An organization’s financial stability is under the control of financial managers. They provide financial reports and create plans to help their firm reach its long-term financial goals. The position typically entails managing budgets, examining financial data, supervising finance department staff, assessing market trends, establishing a network of financial connections, and evaluating the performance of investments. They earn an average salary of about $130,000.
- Chartered accountant: A chartered accountant is hired by a large corporation, a government agency, or a private business to conduct financial audits, offer financial advice, manage economic systems and budgets, and deal with problems like insolvency. A few of their areas of expertise include auditing, management consulting, forensic accounting, corporate finance, and taxation. A chartered accountant is not an ordinary accountant. Chattered accountants earn an average salary of about $100,000.
- Financial adviser: Financial advisors assist their clients in understanding the state of their finances and making decisions about their investments. They can offer guidance on insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes, and retirement while keeping an eye on their customers’ investments and financial situations. They earn an average salary of about $89,000
- Management Consultant: Management analysts and consultants suggest improving operational effectiveness to promote profitability for firms by lowering costs and raising revenues. A management analyst/consultant earns an average salary of $83,000. A management consultant with an MBA degree earns around $110,000
- Budget analyst: Budget analysts assist businesses with financial planning, budget report creation, and institutional spending oversight. They frequently check a company’s financial plans to make sure they’re accurate, comprehensive, and in line with its goals and legal requirements. They earn a yearly average salary of $61,000.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the financial sector, there are several options.
One needs a high aptitude for statistics and the capacity to evaluate, contrast, and comprehend data in order to pursue a career in the field. Due to the top salaries, employment security, and recognition that finance and accounting positions offer, they have long been in high demand. High university education in accounting or finance can lead to several excellent job opportunities.