Queen's University
Canada's most spirited campus - elite business, law, and medicine in a tight-knit community.
Queen's University in Kingston is one of Canada's most storied universities, celebrated for an unusually strong school spirit and tight alumni network. It is particularly well known for the Smith School of Business, which houses one of Canada's premier undergraduate commerce programs. Queen's has a smaller, more residential feel than Toronto or Waterloo, which many students prefer.
What average do you need to get into Queen's?
There is no single Queen's acceptance rate - admission is program-by-program. Top competitive programs like Chemical Engineering require high 80s-low 90s, while programs at the more accessible end admit students with averages around high 80s. A competitive overall average for most Queen's programs is roughly the mid-80s and up. Check the per-program admission averages below to find your target.
Key Facts
- Location: Kingston, ON
- Founded: 1841
- Students: 25,000
- Maclean's ranking: #7
- QS World ranking: #191
- Approximate domestic tuition: $13500/year
- Co-op available: No
Top Strengths
- Commerce (Smith)
- Engineering
- Law
- Medicine
- Science
- Arts
Admission Averages by Program
Real admission average ranges for Queen's programs, from most accessible to most competitive:
- Commerce (Smith School) — admission average: low-to-mid 90s (Among Canada's most respected business programs. Alumni network is exceptional.)
- Chemical Engineering — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Strong research program, excellent grad school pipeline.)
- Civil Engineering — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Highly regarded nationally, strong infrastructure sector placements.)
- Electrical Engineering — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Good research outcomes, strong co-op options.)
- Computer Engineering — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Solid program combining hardware and software.)
- Computing (CS) — admission average: high 80s (Smaller and more intimate than Waterloo or UofT CS.)
- Life Sciences — admission average: high 80s (Common pre-med pathway for Queen's MD program.)
- Biochemistry — admission average: high 80s (Strong research program, good pre-pharmacy pathway.)
- Mathematics & Statistics — admission average: high 80s (Strong actuarial and data science outcomes.)
- Psychology (Honours) — admission average: high 80s (One of Queen's larger programs, strong research opportunities.)
- Political Studies — admission average: high 70s-80s (Excellent for law school preparation, strong alumni in politics.)
- History — admission average: high 70s-80s (Strong humanities program, excellent for law and grad school.)
- English — admission average: high 70s-80s (Rigorous program, good for law and communications careers.)
- Nursing (BNSc) — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Four-year program, strong clinical component across Kingston.)
- Education (BEd) — admission average: high 70s (Strong teaching reputation, Ontario teacher certification.)
Things to Know
- Smith Commerce is arguably the most network-driven undergraduate business program in Canada - alumni connections are exceptional.
- Queen's has a strong school spirit culture - demonstrated interest in student life is valued.
- Kingston is small, which some love and others don't - visit before committing.
- Queen's does not have co-op in most programs, which is a trade-off worth understanding.
Notable Alumni
- Elon Musk (brief attendance)
- Sir John A. Macdonald
- Don Cherry