Globe & Mail Gives King's an A+ for the second year in a row!
October 23, 2008
Does Size Matter on Campus? Canadian University Report finds students score smallest universities higher.
TORONTO, ON (October 23, 2008) – Canada’s undergraduate university students have made their voices heard and given the country’s smallest universities higher ratings than the large institutions for overall satisfaction and quality of education. This is one of the findings of The Globe and Mail’s Canadian University Report available in today’s newspaper and online at www.globecampus.ca. The Report is presented in association with The Strategic Counsel and the Educational Policy Institute
Now in its seventh year, this annual survey of undergrads captures their opinions on different aspects of their university experience from quality of teaching, course availability, and academic reputation to campus pubs and bars, food services, and facilities. This year’s Report reflects ratings on 19 different topics, provided by 43,000 students from 55 Canadian universities. In total, students considered more than 77 different factors in the survey. All ratings are available at www.globecampus.ca with the Campus Navigator tool.
The Canadian University Report also includes articles and interviews on topics related to the current university experience including:
- the pressure from students to improve universities’ environmental policies and practices and examples of how universities have responded;
- the revolutionary impact and potential of iPod technology for teaching; and,
- the push for commercialization of university research and the resulting creeping influence of the private sector on campus.
“The Canadian University Report is a primer for any university-bound high school student and their parents,” explains Simon Beck, Editor of the Canadian University Report. “The best way to understand the university experience is to hear about it directly from the students that are currently attending.”
Most Satisfied Students
The following universities earned the highest marks for overall student satisfaction:
- University of Western Ontario earned the only A grade for large universities (enrollment over 22,000);
- University of Guelph scored the top mark (A+) for medium-sized universities (enrollment 12,000-22,000);
- Nipissing University, St. Francis Xavier and University of the Fraser Valley all earned A grades in the small universities category (4,000 – 12,000);
- The King’s University College (Edmonton) and Trinity Western University both earned A+ scores for overall satisfaction among the very small universities (less than 4,000 enrolment.)
Small is Cool
“There are definite trends and patterns in the results,” comments Tim Woolstencroft, Managing Partner, The Strategic Counsel, which managed the survey and data analysis.
“Across many categories you see the smaller universities scoring higher for the overall experience, ability to access faculty and courses, class size, and atmosphere, whereas the large universities struggle in these areas.”
Among the top scores earned by the smallest universities (enrollment of less than 4,000):
- The King’s University College (Edmonton), and Trinity Western University both earned A+ scores for overall satisfaction;
- The King’s University College (Edmonton), Mount Allison University, Redeemer University College, and Trinity Western University all scored A+ for quality of education;
- Concordia University College of Alberta, and Trinity Western University won A+ grades for quality of teaching;
- Six very small universities and one small university (enrollment 4,000- 12,000) were given A+ marks for student faculty interaction. No large universities received that grade and the highest mark awarded the large universities (enrollment 22,000+) was B+ to Concordia University;
- 12 of 14 of the smallest universities scored A+ for class size, whereas no large or medium-sized university earned an A+ in the category.
Leaving a Bad Taste
Food services remain an area of common dissatisfaction. Most universities received C or D grades for their food services. The top performing universities in this area scored A-: University of Guelph and The King’s University College (Edmonton.)
Campus bars and pubs scored slightly better overall with top marks of A- going to Université Laval and Queen’s University.
Selected Results
The following are top line results from selected categories. For full results, go to www.globecampus.ca
Most Satisfied Students
Large Universities (enrolment of 22,000+)
A University of Western Ontario
A- McGill University, McMaster University, University of Waterloo
Medium (enrolment 12,000- 22,000)
A+ University of Guelph
A Queen’s University, Université de Sherbrooke
Small (enrolment 4,000 – 12,000)
A Nipissing University, St. Francis Xavier University, University of the Fraser Valley
A- University of Lethbridge, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Saint Mary’s University, Trent University, University of Winnipeg
Very Small (enrolment less than 4,000)
A+ The King’s University College (Edmonton), Trinity Western University
A Bishop’s University, Concordia University College of Alberta, Mount Allison University, Redeemer University College
Quality of Education
Large Universities (enrolment of 22,000+)
A University of Western Ontario
A- McGill University, McMaster University, University of Waterloo
Medium (enrolment 12,000- 22,000)
A+ University of Guelph, Queen’s University
A Wilfrid Laurier University
Small (enrolment 4,000 – 12,000)
A University of the Fraser Valley, Nipissing University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, St. Francis Xavier University, University of Winnipeg,
A- University of Lethbridge, Saint Mary’s University, Trent University,
Very Small (enrolment less than 4,000)
A+ The King’s University College (Edmonton), Mount Allison University, Redeemer University College, Trinity Western University
A Acadia University, Bishop’s University, Concordia University College of Alberta
Class Size
Large Universities (enrolment of 22,000+)
A- Ryerson University
B+ University of Western Ontario
Medium (enrolment 12,000- 22,000)
A Wilfrid Laurier University
A- Brock University
Small (enrolment 4,000 – 12,000)
A+ University of the Fraser Valley, Nipissing University, St. Francis Xavier University, University of Winnipeg
A University of British Columbia – Okanagan, Lakehead University, Laurentian University, University of Lethbridge, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Thompson Rivers University, Trent University
Very Small (enrolment less than 4,000)
A+ Acadia University, Bishop’s University, Brandon University, Cape Breton University, Concordia University College of Alberta, The King’s University College (Edmonton), Mount Allison University, Mount St. Vincent University, University of Northern British Columbia, Redeemer University College, St. Thomas University, Trinity Western University
A University of Prince Edward Island, Royal Roads University
Food Services
Large Universities (enrolment of 22,000+)
B- Université du Québec
C+ Université Laval, McMaster University, Université de Montréal, University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario
Medium (enrolment 12,000- 22,000)
A- University of Guelph
B- University of Victoria
Small (enrolment 4,000 – 12,000)
C+ Nipissing University, University of Regina, Thompson Rivers University
C University of Lethbridge
Very Small (enrolment less than 4,000)
A- The King’s University College (Edmonton)
B Mount Allison University
Campus Pubs/ Bars
Large Universities (enrolment of 22,000+)
A- Université Laval
B+ Université du Québec, University of Western Ontario
Medium (enrolment 12,000- 22,000)
A- Queen’s University
B+ University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University
Small (enrolment 4,000 – 12,000)
B+ Lakehead University, Nipissing University, Saint Mary’s University
B University of New Brunswick, University of Regina, St. Francis Xavier University
Very Small (enrolment less than 4,000)
B+ Bishop’s University, Brandon University
B Acadia University, Cape Breton University, Mount Allison University, St. Thomas University
Methodology: Overview
The 2008 Canadian University Report reflects the opinion of more than 43,000 current undergraduate students. The results are derived from the answers to more than 100 questions. A mean score for each university is calculated based on the responses of students who attend that school. Universities are assigned a letter grade that matches their mean scores. For full details on the methodology and scoring, see the CanadianUniversity Report (pg. 52) or go to www.globecampus.ca.
The Globe and Mail
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