McMaster is ranked among the top public universities in Canada

14^th in the World for Global Impact

At McMaster, we are working together to create a healthier, brighter world. 

The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings recognizes the role universities, such as McMaster, play in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the 2025 edition, McMaster surged 16 spots to rank 14th out of 2,526 institutions worldwide, a reflection of our continued leadership in research, innovation and global collaboration.

We are proud to be:

• Ranked #1 in North America for No Poverty (SDG 1)
• Ranked #1 in North America and #4 globally for Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3)
• Ranked #1 in North America and #8 globally for Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
• Ranked #1 in North America for Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
• Ranked #51 globally for Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
• Ranked #59 globally for Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17)

These rankings showcase our deep commitment to global well-being, equity and sustainability. To learn how McMaster is advancing the SDG goals, please visit our UN SDG Website.

Ranked #55 in the World for Life Sciences and Medicine

McMaster has once again been recognized as one of the world’s top 50 universities for the study of medicine, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject. McMaster also saw significant growth in the areas of engineering and technology, natural sciences and social sciences and management.

Research Intensity

McMaster ranked 4th in Research University of the Year 2023.

McMaster University continues to rank among the country’s most research-intensive universities – for both graduate students and faculty members – in the annual ranking of the country’s Top 50 Research Universities. McMaster placed 3rd in Graduate Student Research Intensity – averaging $68,500 per graduate student, and 2nd in Faculty Research Intensity – averaging $407,300 per faculty member; significantly above the national average for both.

World-class Research Innovators

McMaster counts four Nobel Prize laureates among our alumni and faculty, as well as 129 endowed chairs and professorships, 70 Canada Research Chairs, six Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Industrial Research Chairs, two Canadian Institutes of Health Research Chairs, two Ontario Research Chairs and one Canada 150 Research Chair.

Global Rankings at a Glance

McMaster is highly ranked by Times Higher Education, QS, Shanghai Jiao Tong, CWS Leiden, Maclean’s magazine and others. Learn more about our consistently high performance and international reputation when it comes to global impact, teaching, research, top 100 programs, equity, diversity and sustainability.