About the University

Acadia originated as a branch of Horton Academy (1828), which was founded by Baptists from Nova Scotia and Queen's College in Horton, Nova Scotia. Acadia College was the name given to the college later on. Acadia University, founded in 1838 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is strongly affiliated with the Baptist faith. It is a member of the AUCC, IAU, CUSID, CBIE, CUP, Maple League of Universities, and the Nova Scotia Department of Labor and Advanced Education has formally recognized it. Acadia was placed sixth in Maclean's 2022 Guide to Canadian Universities' category of "mainly undergraduate" Canadian universities. Acadia was placed 30th in the publication's reputation rankings the same year.

Infrastructure, Campus, and Courses The Acadia University Art Gallery and the Acadia University Archives are both located on the Wolfville Campus. Acadia University's Faculties of Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Professional Studies, and Theology offer over 200-degree options. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15 to 1, with an average class size of 28 students. Correspondence and remote education courses are available through Open Acadia. Each faculty is organized further into departments and schools that specialize in teaching and research. Acadia University offers more than 15 research centers and six research chairs. In a small university context, undergraduate students have an opportunity to partake in a variety of research initiatives. The Division of Research and Graduate Studies manages graduate students and also Acadia's research programs and is distinct from the faculties.

Accomplishments and Alumni Acadia is a Smithsonian Institution laureate and a part of the National Museum of American History's permanent research collection. Acadia is also the first Canadian university to receive a nomination for the Computerworld Smithsonian Award in the Education and Academia category. The Huestis Innovation Pavilion was unveiled in 2017 as part of Acadia's $22.25 million Science Complex redevelopment project. The Pavilion connects Elliott and Huggins Halls, offering research and commercialization space, and is named for primary contributors Faye and David Huestis of Saint John, New Brunswick. The holistic liberal arts education which is the hallmark of Acadia's superior academic experience has benefitted all members of its alumni family. The institution now has 42,570 alumni from more than 60 nations who make up its one global family. Some of its most notable alumni include Edgar Archibald (scientist and politician), Norman Atkins (Canadian senator) and Rob Ramsay (actor).

Student Diversity and Visiting Companies Acadia's 3,574 students come from nearly every province and over 60 countries to benefit from our outstanding academic programs, personal development-focused curriculum, and collaborative learning opportunities guided by award-winning instructors. Students are invited to join an academic community that will support and inspire them. At the undergraduate level, community participation, real-world opportunity, and significant research are all foundations of an Acadia education. Women make up 67 percent of the full-time Arcadia undergraduate enrollment, while males make up 33 percent. Acadia University's Co-op program has national accreditation and provides students with competitive pay as well as the opportunity to lay a strong basis for their career. After graduation, many co-op students receive full-time employment opportunities. Acadia University also provides career planning and evaluation services. Students can make use of Career Counseling services that include the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Personality Indicator.