McGill University – Acceptance Rate, Ranking, & Tuition (2025)
October 31, 2025
A Canadian public institution founded in 1821, McGill University offers undergraduate, continuing education, and graduate programs. McGill enjoys a strong reputation both within and outside of Canada. In fact, international students from more than 120+ countries make up 31% of McGill鈥檚 student body鈥攖he highest proportion of any Canadian research university. McGill is proud of its international reputation and goes to great lengths to . Americans are particularly attracted to McGill, with just under hailing from the United States. Are you interested in applying to McGill University? In this article, we will discuss the McGill University acceptance rate, ranking, and tuition costs. First, though, let鈥檚 dive into a general overview of McGill.
McGill University Overview
Over 40,000 students attend McGill, including over 10,000 graduate students and over 12,000 international students. In 2025, 7,310 undergraduates entered as first-year students, with the majority hailing from Quebec (48.77%).
Academically, the :
- Business and Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Environment
- Health Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Languages,
- Math, Computing, and Technology
- Music
- Politics and Law
- Pure and Applied Sciences
Research opportunities at McGill abound, as the institution has more than 40 research centers, including the McGill Centre for Bioinformatics and the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy.
Where is McGill University?
There is no doubt that part of McGill鈥檚 appeal stems from its location in the multicultural province of Quebec. The university has two campuses: the bustling downtown campus in Montreal and the river-front Macdonald campus 20 miles away (about 30 minutes by shuttle) in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. The downtown campus is the main campus, and houses most of the faculties and departments, whereas the Macdonald campus houses the agricultural and environmental studies programs. Housing is available for undergraduate and graduate students on both campuses, and is guaranteed for all first-year students.
. It is a destination for lovers of history, art, and architecture, and also boasts strong music, theater, and food scenes. Popular off-campus student haunts include the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the shopping, restaurants, and pubs on rue St. Denis, rue St. Laurent, and Crescent Street. Montreal is serviced by the Trudeau International Airport, and the city has a strong public transportation system.
Is French Required to Study at McGill?
While the official language of Quebec is French, the primary language of instruction at McGill is English and proficiency in French is not currently required. Even so, approximately half the population of Montreal speaks French as a first language and nearly half of each undergraduate class hails from Quebec, so one can and should expect to hear French spoken regularly on and around campus. In fact, for non-French speakers this level of exposure might be part of McGill鈥檚 appeal. Most McGill materials and resources are available in both English and French. Currently, , although the Quebec government has proposed increasing French-language requirements for students enrolling in 2025-2026 and beyond.
McGill University Mission Statement
The is the advancement of learning and the creation and dissemination of knowledge, by offering the best possible education, by carrying out research and scholarly activities judged to be excellent by the highest international standards, and by providing service to society.
McGill University Acceptance Rate
McGill is known for its diverse academic programs and vibrant student life, and enjoys a reputation as one of Canada鈥檚 leading research universities. However, unlike some of the more selective American universities, McGill combines its elite status with a moderately high (though still competitive) acceptance rate. Overall, the undergraduate acceptance rate at McGill hovers around 47%. In , 38,135 prospective first-year undergraduate students applied, and 18,132 were offered admission.
McGill does reserve a number of spots in each incoming class for residents of Quebec. Even so, the acceptance rate for international students at McGill is around 46%.
, with science and engineering programs being the most competitive. For instance, in 2025, the science programs received 10,354 applications, but ultimately enrolled 1,348 (or 13%), compared to the overall undergraduate enrollment rate of 19%.
McGill University Ranking
McGill University consistently ranks highly among the top global universities. In 2026, McGill ranked #27 in QS World University Rankings. In 2026, the Times Higher Education ranked McGill #41 in the world, whereas the US News & World Report ranked it #62 in Best Global Universities and #3 in Best Global Universities in Canada.
Moreover, according to the US News & World Report, McGill also boasts impressive subject rankings. For example, McGill is rated:
- #16 in Neuroscience and Behavior
- #42 in Arts and Humanities
- #29 in Environment/Ecology
McGill University Tuition
The total cost to attend McGill University depends on where you鈥檙e from, what you want to study, and where you choose to live. Predictably, residents of Quebec pay the least in tuition, followed by non-Quebec Canadians. International students pay significantly more, although American students might find tuition to be similar to, or even cheaper than, comparably-ranked institutions in the United States. When pulling tuition fee amounts from the McGill website, remember that all amounts are listed in Canadian dollars (CAD). If you are interested in the USD equivalent, be sure to convert the amounts.
McGill tuition fees rose by 3% for the 2024-2025 academic year, and the Quebec Government has announced that the rates for the 2025-2026 academic year have increased by another 2%. For Canadian residents, the basic tuition fees (annual) for the 2025-2026 year are as follows:
- For residents of Quebec: $3,026 CAD
- For non-Quebec residents of Canada: $12,607 CAD
- For international students: (varies by program)
The total McGill tuition costs includes both tuition fees and University fees, which vary by program and residency status but generally include .
International Student Financial Support
For international students, McGill offers a , meaning that admitted and enrolled students can enjoy the benefits of a guaranteed, set tuition rate for the duration of their time at McGill, eliminating the unpredictability of year-to-year increases. McGill offers a handy to help prospective students determine their predicted tuition (again, be sure to convert Canadian dollars to US dollars).
McGill does offer , including merit-based entrance scholarships to first-time university students entering a full-time undergraduate degree program. Other options for financial aid include external awards and the McGill work-study program. While McGill limits some scholarships and types of financial aid to residents of Quebec and/or non-Quebec Canadian residents, some funding is available to
How to Apply to McGill University
Both International and Canadian students. American students should note that they cannot use platforms like the Common App to apply to McGill. Instead, they will need to apply directly to the school.
All applicants can include two program choices in their application. Admission committees reviews both choices, and applicants receive a separate decision for each one. Students wishing to apply to more than two programs will need to submit and pay for an additional application.
McGill provides specific information . Moreover, certain programs (music, for instance) may require alternative or supplementary application materials. For students from the United States, the general requirements are similar to those for Canadian residents. must have obtained, prior to the start of classes, a US high school diploma from an accredited academic program. In admissions decisions, McGill takes one鈥檚 academic performances from Grades 10-12 into account, but is maintaining a 鈥渢est-optional鈥� policy regarding ACT/SAT scores. On average, admitted students have a GPA of 3.7 or higher.
In general, McGill University is an appealing option for both Canadian and International students, boasting strong academic programs, clear tuition and fee structures, and a high quality of life based in part on its location in Montreal. Beyond McGill University, American high school students interested in attending college in Canada might also consider the highly-ranked University of Toronto or the University of British Columbia.
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