Private universities in Canada areindependent postsecondary institutions that have been granted the authority to conferacademic degrees from a provincial authority. The oldest private universities in Canada operated asseminaries or as religiously-affiliated institutions, although several secularfor-profit and not-for-profit private universities were established in Canada during the late-20th and early 21st century.[1] Although private universities have been established in severalCanadian provinces, the majority of universities in the country remainspublicly-funded.
Along with private universities based in Canada, several private universities based in the United States also operatesatellite campuses in the provinces ofAlberta,British Columbia, andOntario.
Post-secondary degree programs at private universities in Alberta are approved by the province's Minister of Advanced Education as reviewed by the Campus Alberta Quality Council.[2] The following are private universities based in Alberta that operate degree programs approved by Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education:[2]
| Name | City | Language | Established[note 1] | Religious affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambrose University | Calgary | English | 1921 | Christian and Missionary Alliance &Church of the Nazarene |
| Burman University | Lacombe | English | 1907 | Seventh-day Adventist |
| Concordia University of Edmonton | Edmonton | English | 1921 | —[note 2] |
| St. Mary's University | Calgary | English | 1986 | Catholic Church |
| The King's University | Edmonton | English | 1979 | Christian Reformed Church in North America |
In addition to private universities that are based in Alberta, the cities of Calgary and Edmonton also hostssatellite campuses for private universities based in the United States, including theCity University of Seattle,Gonzaga University, and theUniversity of Portland.[3] Degree programs offered at these satellite campuses are approved by Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education.[4]
From 2002 to 2009, theTaylor University College and Seminary was authorized to confer undergraduate degrees. In 2009 the institution ceased operating an undergraduate program, and its authority to confer degrees was rescinded by the government of Alberta.[2]
Post-secondary degree programs at private universities in British Columbia are authorized under the provincialDegree Authorization Act.[5] The following are private universities based in British Columbia, whose degree-granting authority was authorized under theDegree Authorization Act:[5]
| Name | City | Language | Established[note 1] | Religious affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences[6] | Port Alberni | English | 2007 | — |
| Trinity Western University | Langley | English | 1962 | Evangelical Free Church of America |
| University Canada West | Vancouver | English | 2005 | — |
| Yorkville University | Vancouver[note 3] | English | 2017[note 4] | — |
In addition to private universities based in British Columbia, several US-based private universities also operate a satellite campus in Vancouver; includingAdler University, City University of Seattle,Fairleigh Dickinson University, andNortheastern University. Gonzaga University also operates a satellite campus inKelowna.[3] The aforementioned universities that operate satellite campuses in British Columbia all operate degree programs authorized under the province's Degree Authorization Act.[5]
There exists several religious-affiliated private universities in Manitoba that operate degree programs approved by the provincial government. The following Manitoba-based private universities are provided the authority to acceptinternational students under the province'sInternational Education Act:[8]
| Name | City | Language | Established[note 1] | Religious affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booth University College | Winnipeg | English | 1982 | Salvation Army |
| Canadian Mennonite University | Winnipeg | English | 1999 | Mennonite |
| Providence University College and Theological Seminary | Otterburne | English | 1925 | Evangelicalism |
There exists several private universities in New Brunswick which are either recognized under the province'sDegree Granting Act, or as a privately chartered university. They include:[9]
| Name | City | Language | Established[note 1] | Religious affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crandall University | Moncton | English | 1949 | Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada |
| Kingswood University | Sussex | English | 1945 | Wesleyan Church |
| St. Stephen's University | St. Stephen | English | 1975 | —[note 5] |
| University of Fredericton | Fredericton | English | 2005 | — |
| Yorkville University | Fredericton[note 3] | English | 2003 | — |
Lansbridge University was a former private university in New Brunswick that ceased operations in 2010.[11]
There are several private universities based in Ontario with partial degree-granting authority as authorized by an act of theLegislative Assembly of Ontario. The majority of these institutions are faith-based.[12] The following are private universities based in Ontario, that were authorized to grant degrees in Ontario through ministerial consent:[12][13]
| Name | City | Language | Established[note 1] | Religious affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Business University | Toronto | English | 2021[14] | — |
| Redeemer University | Hamilton | English | 1982 | Reformed Christian |
| Tyndale University | Toronto | English | 1894 | Evangelicalism |
| University of Niagara Falls Canada | Niagara Falls | English | 2024 | — |
| Yorkville University | Toronto,Vaughan[note 3] | English | [note 6] | — |
In addition to private universities based in Ontario, the province also hosts satellite campuses for two US-based private universities,Niagara University andNortheastern University; the former in Vaughan and the latter in Toronto.[15][16][17] These institutions were granted the authority to confer academic degrees through ministerial consent.[13]