SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University received first place standing in the primarily undergraduate category of the 2024 Maclean’s University Rankings, published today, Oct. 12, 2023. 

“We are honoured to once again be named the number one primarily undergraduate university by Maclean’s magazine,” says Dr. Robert MacKinnon, Mount Allison’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “These rankings are a testament to the dedication of our entire university community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. Together, we have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence — and I extend my thanks and congratulations to the entire Mount Allison community for this well-deserved ranking.” 

Along with placing first overall in the primarily undergraduate category, Mount Allison was ranked first for reputational survey and library expenses. The University also received second place for student awards and faculty awards and third for student/faculty ratio, operating budget, and scholarships & bursaries in our category. 

Over the past five years, Mount Allison has launched over 20 new or revamped academic programs, expanding its offerings to more than 50 academic programs. New additions include Computer Science and Music (Bachelor of Arts, Joint Major), a new Bachelor of Arts and Science in Interdisciplinary Health Studies, and an extended range of degree options for Aviation students with the introduction of the Bachelor of Arts — Aviation in conjunction with MFC Training. This fall also marked the launch of Mount Allison’s THRIVE (Transformation in Higher Education with Radical Inclusion, Values, and Engagement) foundation year program, designed to provide support for incoming first-year Arts students in their academic and personal growth. 

In its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community, Mount Allison has introduced a range of new resources for students. The University established a new Black affinity group, the MtA Black Caucus, aimed at empowering and supporting Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Throughout the upcoming academic year, students, faculty, and staff will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of programs, initiatives, and events designed to engage the public and empower Black communities on campus. Mount Allison also partnered with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) to offer diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training to all student residence leaders this fall. Mount Allison was the first academic institution to take part in the program. The University also continues its support for Indigenous students by providing an Indigenous Ceremonial Space, including a Sweat Lodge, sacred fire pit, tipi, and Indigenous gardens, and the presence of two Elders-in-Residence. 

Mount Allison remains committed to providing experiential learning opportunities for its students, enabling them to gain valuable work experience alongside their academic pursuits. In the spring and summer of 2023, Mount Allison students had the chance to participate in six international field schools, made possible by the federally-funded Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) program. These immersive experiences took place in Belize, the Galapagos Islands, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Scotland, in a variety of disciplines, including biology, classics, drama, Indigenous studies, psychology, and religious studies.

Financial aid support for students exceeded $5.5 million in 2022-23, with 81 per cent of first-year students receiving a financial entrance award in 2022. Students also have exceptional opportunities to join businesses and organizations locally and internationally for paid internships — open to all disciplines and academic years. In 2021-23, the University saw more than 200 students secure internships through the Office of Experiential Learning and Career Development. 

For those eager to explore all that the University has to offer, Mount Allison will be holding its Fall Open House tomorrow, on Oct. 13. The full-day event will include on-campus sessions with campus ambassadors, current students, faculty, and staff members, alumni, as well as campus tours, mini lectures, and on-the-spot admissions. Future students and their families can find a full schedule and registration information at Fall Open House.

Since the rankings were established in 1991, Mount Allison has been named the number one undergraduate university a record 24 times, more than any other undergraduate university. The Sackville, NB university has never ranked outside the top four and has a student population of approximately 2,200. 

The Maclean’s  2024 rankings issue is available online and will be on newsstands shortly: https://www.macleans.ca/hub/education-rankings/