STU ranks 11th among small universities as reputation ranking drops
In Maclean's 2027 university rankings, St. Thomas University (STU) fell five spots from its previous national rating of 48th to 53rd nationally and 11th among small universities in Canada.
A new methodology is now used in the 2027 rankings, which classify colleges based on enrollment size and take into account variables including research impact, graduation rates and student retention.
Direct comparisons with previous releases are more difficult as a result of the modifications.
Of the small universities included in this year's rankings, Mount Allison placed highest, with St. Francis Xavier University and the University of Northern British Columbia rounding out the top three. STU ranked between University of Prince Edward Island and Université de Moncton.
The national reputation ranking gauges how employers, administrators and academics perceive universities. While STU's position fell from the previous edition, the change does not necessarily indicate a decline in the quality of education students at STU receive.
The rankings also provide a point of comparison with the University of King's College in Halifax. Both institutions emphasize liberal arts education and offer journalism programs.
However, King's is affiliated with Dalhousie University, which ranked third among mid-size universities. Dalhousie's ranking does not represent a separate position for King's.
For recent 23-year-old STU graduate Florence Legault, the university's smaller community and classroom environment were among the most valuable parts of her experience.
"The tight-knit community is one of the things I valued most about STU. You get to know the people around you and it makes the whole university experience feel more personal."
Legault said she learns best in an environment where she can ask questions and participate in classroom discussions.
"I don't want to just sit in a classroom and listen. I want to be able to participate, have conversations and actually engage with what I'm learning," she said.
Her experience has also shaped her view of where STU belongs among Canadian universities.
"I genuinely think STU deserves to be ranked higher. I would put it in the top 20 universities nationally and at least in the top five among small universities."
As part of its approach to undergraduate education, STU supports smaller class sizes with an average class size of 23. Students can have greater opportunities to engage with professors and take part in discussions in smaller classrooms.
However, student experiences extend beyond classroom size.
Access to academic support, campus resources and extracurricular opportunities can also influence how students evaluate their university education.
While Maclean's rankings provide prospective students with a way to compare and contrast universities, they are only one measure of standing.
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