Ontario offers nursing programs at several universities. Program structures, delivery formats, timelines, and tuition fees vary by institution.
Canada’s higher education system includes nursing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who plan to work in Ontario after graduation should review the professional licensing requirements and the immigration rules that apply to their circumstances.
Nursing program length depends on the university and credential. For example, the University of Toronto offers an accelerated two-year BScN, while the University of Ottawa offers a four-year, 120-unit BScN. Review each university’s official program page before applying. Now, let’s take a look at the top best nursing schools in Ontario.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Ontario
1. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto offers nursing programs through the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. Its accelerated BScN is an in-person, two-year program. The faculty also lists the Master of Nursing, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Nursing programs.
The faculty reports that the 2026 QS Rankings place Bloomberg Nursing first in Canada and fourth in the world. Tuition varies by program and student status. Review the faculty’s official tuition and fees page for current amounts.
2. University of Windsor
The University of Windsor Faculty of Nursing offers a four-year BScN Honours program. The program is also offered collaboratively with St. Clair College.
Graduate offerings include thesis- and course-based MScN streams, an MScN/PHC-NP option, a graduate diploma in PHC-NP, and a PhD. The course-based MScN can be completed in 18 months full time or 3.5 years part time.
3. McMaster University
McMaster University offers nursing education through its School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, nursing ranked 24th globally.
The School of Nursing’s current site lists BScN streams and a PhD in Nursing. Tuition varies according to course units and student circumstances.
4. University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa traces its origins to the College of Bytown, founded in 1848 as a bilingual Catholic college. The university describes itself as the largest French-English bilingual university in the world.
The current stand-alone BScN is a four-year, 120-unit program with clinical placements and study options in French, French immersion, or English. The collaborative program with Algonquin College is no longer accepting applications, and the Second Entry program is under revision and is not accepting applications. Graduate options include the MScN, a combined master’s and primary health care nurse practitioner diploma, and a nursing PhD.
The nursing PhD is offered by distance education and is designed for completion in 12 full-time terms, or 48 consecutive months. Admission to the in-person nursing PhD is suspended until further notice. Tuition varies by student status, level of study, program, and legal status in Canada.
If Ontario is your preferred study destination and nursing is your career choice, this article provides a starting point. Before applying, compare each university’s official program information, current tuition details, admission requirements, and professional licensing information.
We hope this article on the Best Nursing Schools in Ontario was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Study in Canada and Available Courses for International Students.
