Acadia University
Founded 1838 | Wolfville, NS
At Acadia University, students spend less time commuting and more time community building: more than a third of the student body lives on campus. The 100-hectare site in the Annapolis Valley has ivy-covered walls and sloping lawns dotted with trees. A student-run farm, as well as a hydroponic vertical growing system housed in a shipping container, supplies healthy, sustainable veggies and greens. Many of Acadia’s research spaces have been modernized, including the Acadia Science Complex. Students can study birds on the university’s private island wildlife reserve and access specialized labs for biomechanics and food and beverage analysis.
“Acadia’s strength is the blending of community engagement with classroom learning,” says president Peter Ricketts. “Our students learn by immersing themselves in the world around them—but they get to define their world. From renewable energy to community development to social justice, our students graduate as leaders of change.”
Students in most arts programs can pursue co-op work placements, letting them graduate with a year of professional experience. On average, 96 per cent of co-op students landed work terms throughout 2021. Students can connect with staff, alum and community members through the Acadia Café, an online networking program, or volunteer in the Sensory Motor Instructional and Leadership Experience (SMILE) program, which helps youth with disabilities participate in physical activities. Last year, to support diversity, Acadia established two new positions: a Black student success navigator and an Elder in residence. At the end of the day, students can cheer on one of the school’s 11 varsity sports teams.
Standout Programs
• Environmental Geoscience: This scientific program begins with core courses before branching out in third year. It features small classes and frequent field trips.
• Community Development: This program balances essential theory and experiential learning. Choose a broad focus or specialize in one of four areas.
• Biology: Get hands-on experience with access to indoor and outdoor labs, as well as field courses that draw on local wetland, aquatic, farm and forest ecosystems.
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$9,561 ($10,844 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 70% · Science: 70% · Business: 70% · Engineering: 70%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 3,270 · Part-time: 129
Graduates: Full-time: 89 · Part-time: 333
International Students: First-year: 8% · Graduate: 12.4%
Male-Female Ratio: 41 to 59
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 1,690 (800 reserved for first-year students)
Residence Costs: Double room: $5,570 to $6,635 · Single room: $6,435 to $9,220 · Double room with meals: $10,401 to $12,040 · Single room with meals: $11,266 to $14,625
Cool Courses
• Engineering and the Biosphere: Explore how design and technology can lessen human impacts on the biosphere.
• Natural Disasters: Study the science that helps us predict natural disasters and remediate afterwards.