4 Best Colleges in Toronto (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Fenris Morrow, Expert in Professional Services · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 7 min read

Toronto's college scene splits sharply between a handful of huge public universities and a set of smaller, specialized schools built for international students and career-changers. Between them, the four institutions on this page have logged 4,607 reviews, and University of Toronto alone accounts for nearly half of that at 2,220. Rating alone doesn't tell the full story here: a couple of the smaller schools actually score higher on stars, they just haven't been reviewed at anywhere near the same scale yet.

Short answer: University of Toronto ranks first with 4.5 stars across 2,220 reviews, the deepest track record on this page. St. George International College posts the highest rating at 4.8 stars, though on a smaller base of 600 reviews. Toronto School of Management and Toronto Metropolitan University round out the list, both useful for career-focused and downtown campus options respectively.

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Toronto colleges compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	University of Toronto	4.5 ★	2,220	Overall / historic public university	View ›
2	St. George International College (SGIC)	4.8 ★	600	English language study	View ›
3	Toronto School of Management \| TSOM	4.6 ★	700	Business and career-focused programs	View ›
4	Toronto Metropolitan University	4.1 ★	1,087	Downtown campus, wide program range	View ›

Our picks, explained

#1 Overall

University of Toronto

4.52,220 Google reviews

The University of Toronto is a large public research university with its main campus in downtown Toronto, known for its historic architecture and long academic history. Reviewers, including many non-students who visit for the grounds alone, consistently describe it as one of the city's defining institutions, with comparisons to the feel of older European campuses.

What people praise

Highest review volume on this page by a wide margin
Historic buildings and green space draw visitors beyond just students
Reviewers describe feeling safe walking the grounds during the day

Worth knowing

A few reviewers note the downtown setting means limited certainty about evening safety

Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume2,220 · 98th

Confidencevery high

Recency7 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone

Rating breakdown75% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: We rank it first on proven track record, not top rating. It sits a few tenths below St. George International College on stars, but with more than triple the reviews behind it.

Website +1416-978-2011 Directions

27 King's College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1

#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

St. George International College (SGIC)

4.8600 Google reviews

St. George International College, known as SGIC, is an English language school in downtown Toronto that teaches international students through short and long-term courses. Multiple reviewers describe staying for a single month for language study and coming away with noticeably better spoken English and confidence.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly praise the school for being welcoming to international students
Named staff members specifically thanked for support with logistics and scheduling
Central downtown location cited as convenient

Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume600 · 78th

Confidencehigh

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown91% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest rating on this page. It ranks second overall because it's a language school with a narrower focus than the full universities here, not because the quality is lower.

Website +1416-929-4050 Directions

543 Yonge St Unit 200, Toronto, ON M4Y 1Y5

#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Toronto School of Management | TSOM

4.6700 Google reviews

Toronto School of Management is a private institution offering career-focused programs in business, accounting, hospitality, tourism, and IT, with co-op options built into several programs. It draws a significant number of international students, and reviews frequently mention the admissions and scholarship process by name.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight co-op programs offering real-world work experience
Multiple mentions of responsive student advisors during the application process
Praised as an accessible entry point for international students new to Canada

Worth knowing

One detailed review describes a difficult experience with a program under the same institution's oversight, worth asking about directly if this is a concern

Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume700 · 83th

Confidencehigh

Recency5 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown81% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A solid option for career-focused, co-op-driven study, with reviews skewing very positive from recent applicants specifically.

Website +1416-800-2204 Directions

22 College St #300, Toronto, ON M5G 1K2

#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Toronto Metropolitan University

4.11,087 Google reviews

Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson, is a public university in the heart of downtown Toronto offering more than 60 undergraduate degrees and dozens of graduate programs. It emphasizes career-focused, real-world experience alongside academics, and its downtown location puts students close to the city's business core.

What people praise

Downtown location praised for city access and vibrancy
Wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs

Worth knowing

Several reviewers describe frustration with limited class availability and slow support from certain departments

Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto

Rating4.1 / 5

Review volume1,087 · 88th

Confidencehigh

Recency8 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown61% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks last here on rating, largely driven by a cluster of critical reviews about administrative support. Worth weighing against the downtown location and program breadth it offers.

Website +1416-979-5000 Directions

350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3

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How we score these colleges

Rating is each school’s live Google average. Review volume tracks how many people have actually rated it, which is why a school with a slightly higher rating but far fewer reviews doesn’t automatically outrank one with a longer track record. Confidence blends rating and volume, and recency checks whether people are still reviewing it now. No school can pay to change these numbers.

How much does college cost in Toronto? (2026)

Cost depends heavily on domestic versus international student status, and on the type of institution you’re comparing, whether that’s a public university, a private career college, or a language school, so it’s worth getting a direct quote from each institution’s admissions office.

Serving all of Toronto

University of Toronto and St. George International College both sit in the downtown core near Queen’s Park, Toronto School of Management is a short walk from College Street, and Toronto Metropolitan University anchors the Dundas Square area. All four are reachable by TTC from most parts of the city.

What to ask before choosing a college in Toronto

What’s the difference in tuition between domestic and international student rates?
Are credits or English certifications recognized by other Canadian institutions?
What co-op or work placement options are built into the program?
How large are typical class sizes and how much is lecture versus hands-on?
What support services exist for international students specifically?
What scholarships or funding support are available before you apply?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another school’s score or position.

How did you choose these colleges?

We pulled real Google ratings and review counts for colleges and language schools serving Toronto, then ranked them by a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently people are still reviewing.

How often is this updated?

This page was verified in July 2026 and is refreshed periodically as new reviews come in.

Is an English language school like SGIC a good fit before university?

Yes, for many international students. It’s a common path for building language confidence before or alongside enrolling in a degree program.

Do international students need a study permit for these schools?

Yes, most non-Canadian students need a valid study permit, and the institution’s admissions office typically supports that process.

The bottom line

University of Toronto is the safe default given its scale and track record, but don’t overlook St. George International College if language study is your goal, its rating is the highest on this page. Either way, get a direct quote on tuition and ask about international student support before committing.

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