Wondering what are the best colleges in Calgary for you to study in? With the majority of its support and aid from extensive government funding, education and schools in Calgary are considered to be among the best in the province. The school system is divided into 2 categories – publicly-funded schools and privately-funded schools. Public education for children between the ages of 5 to 19 is free and is considered mandatory by the Calgary Board of Education.
Private Schools, which are considerably more expensive with fees ranging from $3,000-$20,000 per year, come with the added advantage of scholarships for gifted children as well. Schools not only focus on development and excellence in scholastic aspects but extra-curricular and non-scholastic areas as well, thereby contributing to the holistic development of the child. A majority of Roman Catholic Schools are also funded by the government education system.
But what about Post-Secondary and Higher Education? Is it as much as worth it? Which are the Top 10 colleges and universities to enroll in? Here is what I found in the top colleges in Calgary.
1. Colleges in Calgary- SOUTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CALGARY
Motto: “Incipio Et Erudio”
I take in hand and educate
Offering over 100 career programs, over 1,300 educational courses, and training courses for around 200 companies per annum, SAIT, at a 90% employment rate, holds the largest employment rate in the province. A major polytechnic University and Home to Applied Research and Innovation Sciences, SAIT acquires $7 million per annum in research funding by connecting entrepreneurs, industry partners, researchers and students.
It has 8 academic schools under its leadership which are as follows:-
- Business
- Energy
- Construction
- Health and Public Safety
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Information and Communications Technologies
- Manufacturing and Automation
- Transportation
It offers certificate, diploma, and applied degree programs, baccalaureate programs, apprenticeship degrees, continuing education, and non-credit courses.
The fee structure, depending on the year and the nature of the course and study program, ranges from $19,848 per annum for Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations Year 1 to $98 per week for Basic Apprentice Programs.
Kaella Carr, television news anchor and reporter for CTV, and Dug Horner, 7th Deputy Premier of Alberta are well known and recognized alumni of the institution.
2. Colleges in Calgary- BOW VALLEY COLLEGE, CALGARY
(Source: bowvalleycollege.ca)
Established as a community institution under the Post Secondary Learning Act of Calgary, Bow Valley College is a premier educational institution of the province located in Calgary’s Downtown Core. It’s known to be the only Universities in the Top Rank to provide academic accessibility and educational services to learners and students with disabilities as well. Its schools are as follows:-
- Chiu School of Business
- School of Community Studies
- School of Continuing Learning
- School of Creative Technologies
- School of Foundational Learning
- School of Global Access
- School of Health and Wellness
Bow Valley has around 7 campuses in and around Calgary which includes Airdrie, Banff & Canmore, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, Strathmore, and The Entrepreneur Centres.
Domestic tuition fees are considerably lower as compared to other universities, with structure ranging from $94 for apprenticeship programs such as Assist with Medication Delivery to $8,334 for Corporate Readiness Training.
3. Colleges in Calgary- The UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Motto: Gaelic: “Mo Shùile Togam Suas”
I will lift up my eyes
Mascot: Rex
Home to over 30,000 students, the University of Calgary is one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Established in 1966, it offers over 250 academic and research programs. According to Times Higher Education 2020, it has been ranked #201-250 in the world and #8 in Canada itself. It has 14 faculties, four campuses in Calgary itself and one in Doha, Qatar which was established in 2007, and also operates around 50 research centres and institutions. It is involved in research, generating an income of over 320 million. The former Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and astronaut, Robert Thirsk are famous alumni of the university. The university also entertains international visitors, government officials, and delegations every year. Calgary has been ranked as the most livable city in North America.
With immigrants coming to the city from China, Germany, France, Africa, and South Asia, the student population at UCalgary is highly ethnically diverse. Events such as Germany Day are celebrated to encourage those of the international community to showcase their culture, heritage and also foster a shared sense of unity and familiarity among members of the local Calgary community itself.
Domestic Tuition fees are considerably higher as compared to other colleges in the city, with fees ranging from $108,383 per annum for Executive MBA Programs to $714 for a Diploma Course in Nursing.
Christine Nesbitt, former Olympian in speed skating is also a notable alumnus of this college.
4. Colleges in Calgary- ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Motto : “In lumine tuo videbimus lumen”
In your light we shall see the light
St. Mary’s University is a private Catholic University located in Calgary, Alberta. It offers degrees in liberal arts, sciences and education. Values such as a passion and commitment towards ethics, morale, social justice and difference of belief and opinion are highly encouraged and fostered. With around 900 students in total, the average class size ranges from 25-30.
Its vision is to instill in students the essential importance of passion, confidence and individual integrity. The importance of mentoring and volunteering and giving back to the community at every phase of life is it’s golden motto. Its selective admission policy is based on past academic experience and grades.
Events such as Speakers Series, Academic symposiums, drama performances, social justice campaigns are regularly held to transform individuals into compassionate and better citizens and leaders of tomorrow.
The importance of working towards social justice and the greater common good are encouraged from day one.
Following a Catholic Intellectual tradition and being a non-profit entity, it provides high-quality education at affordable rates. Tuition is calculated per credit hour, which usually ranges from $253 per class for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science to $330 for Bachelor of Education students. Scholarships and awards are available to provide financial aid and support for Post Secondary education.
5. MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY
(Source : macleans.ca)
Motto : “Quam Bene Non Quantum”
How well not how much
Mascot: Calvin
Established in 1910, Mount Royal University is known for its academic excellence and personalized learning and wholistic and all-inclusive teaching. It currently offers around 12 degrees and 32 majors with 2 campuses and an average class size of 29.
Its total student population is over 9,500 and has around 5 faculties and various centres and institutes under its leadership
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Business and Communication Studies
- Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension
- Faculty of Health, Community, and Education
- Faculty of Science and Technology
Bret Hart, professional wrestler of WWE(World Wrestling Entertainment) and WCW(World Championship Wrestling), and Alison Redford, 14th Premier of Alberta( from October 2011 to March 2014) are notable alumni of this University.
Total fees for one academic year, which is 8 months, ranges from $18,792 to $21,240; which is subject to change depending on additional fees of specific programs. Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards to help lower the cost of education are also available.
6. Colleges in Calgary- ALBERTA UNIVERSITY OF ARTS
Established in 1926, Alberta University of Arts is a public Arts and Design University located in Calgary, Alberta. It encourages the cultivation of creativity and innovation, both at the community and global level. Its major goal is to develop critical thinking abilities, advanced creative skills and indulge in new conversations about contemporary craft.
Program Areas catered to by the University include the following :
- Media Arts
- Drawing
- Glass
- Sculpture
- Visual Communication
- Jewelry and Metals
- Fiber
- Ceramics
- Painting
- Print Media
- Photography
Fees are calculated on a per credit basis.
Learning Assistance Resources helps create an equitable and fair environment to help students with disabilities develop personal skills and enhance academic success.
Students can apply for AUArts Awards Advisory Committee and can enroll for various scholarships to receive financial aid and support. Academic support in the form of availability of a tutor and counseling services are also provided. Resources and support for International Students are also provided.
John Lindley Byrne, an American writer, and artist of superhero comics, and Joni Mitchell, a Canadian singer-songwriter are notable alumni of this institution.
7. Colleges in Calgary- HASKAYNE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Among the top colleges in Calgary, it’s named after Richard F. Haskayne – a Canadian Business and Philanthropist; the Haskayne School of Business has been ranked as one of the top colleges in Canada and 43rd in North America. The school offers 4-Year Bachelor of Commerce Programs for 18 different areas as well as programs in Hotel and Resource Management. Some of the concentrations under their BComm Program include :
- Accounting
- Business Process Management
- HR and Organisational Dynamics
- Finance
- General Commerce
- Personal and Financial Planning
- Risk Management and Insurance
- Supply chain management
- Tourism Management
- Tourism Marketing
To know more about combined degree: https://haskayne.ucalgary.ca/future-students/bcomm/program/combined-degrees
Full and part-time MBA Programs are available as well.
Executive Education Programs combine human knowledge with complex research to help executives, businessmen and entrepreneurs grow and achieve success in a much more dynamic way.
Garrett Camp, the co-founder of Uber and Hal Kvisle, President and CEO of TransCanada Corporation (2001-2010), are some of the many notable alumni of this prestigious institution.
8. Colleges in Calgary- CUMMING SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Another of the best colleges in Calgary, The Cumming School of Medicine, a research-intensive law school, was initially established as the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine in 1967. It was renamed as the Cumming School of Medicine only in 2014.
Some of the different faculties of medicine catered to include :
- Anaesthesiology
- Emergency medicine
- Medical genetics
- Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Paediatrics
- Pathology and Laboratory medicine
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
- Surgery
As a research-intensive medical school, it has an affiliation with various research centres such as – McCaig Institute – for bone and joint health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Recently they received global recognition for its research which focused on building equitable artificial intelligence for public health.
9. Colleges in Calgary- CDI – CALGARY CITY CENTRE
CDI is a private career training and recruitment counseling college in Canada. It has 23 campuses located across 5 of the Canadian Provinces. The school has been under the ownership of the Eminata Group since 2007. One of its campuses is also located in the heart of the city i.e. the Calgary City Centre Campus.
Different programs offered at the Calgary City Centre Campus are :
- Accounting and Payroll Administration
- Business Accounting Technician
- Event Specialist
- Hospitality Business Management
- Human Resources Administration
- Travel and Tourism
- Child and Youth Services Worker
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Legal Administration
10. Colleges in Calgary – ABM COLLEGE
ABM College of Business & Technology, established in 2011, is a leading private career training college in Calgary and Toronto that offers programs in Health, Business, and Technology. Its main goal is to provide education to gain employment and a successful, long-lasting career. ABM College has provided domestic and international students with high-quality professional training and the right skill-sets to meet current employment market demand.
The college focuses on the study of abstract knowledge and skills necessary for critical and practical application. Their vision is to help individuals ensure long-term progress and stability in their jobs. ABM College’s learning experience can help enhance your performance and creativity level.
It offers programs catering to :
● Personal Support Worker Certificate (Toronto campus only)
● Addictions and Community Support Worker Diploma
● Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Diploma
● Pharmacy Assistant Diploma
● Massage Therapy Diploma
● Health Care Aide Certificate
● Legal Assistant Diploma
● Education Assistant Diploma
● Administrative Assistant Diploma
● Accounting and Payroll Administration Diploma
● Business Administration Diploma
● Help Desk Analyst Diploma
● Mobile App Developer Diploma
● Digital Marketing Diploma
● Web Design and Development Diploma
● Graphic Design Diploma
● Network Administrator Diploma
● CPR and First Aid Training
Students are briefed about the total expenses and costs at the time of the admission process itself. Financial assistance is available through various scholarships and provincial student loan applications.
Which of these top colleges in Calgary are you looking to take admission to? Are you wondering Let us know. Looking to study elsewhere? Take a look at our piece on the best colleges in Vancouver.