Wilfrid Laurier University vs University of Waterloo

Wilfrid Laurier University is a public research university ranked among top 500 universities globally while University of Waterloo is ranked among the top 200 universities globally. 

Overview Comparison
Wilfrid Laurier UniversityUniversity of Waterloo
Collegedunia Score4.1 Out of 105.3 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 1247 US News 2023
# 1182 Center for World University Rankings 2022
# 1247 US News 2022
# 112 QS World University 2024
# 158 Times Higher Education 2024
# 154 QS World University 2023
Subject Strength-# 69 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024
# 359 for Medicine by QS World University 2023
# 151 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021
ProgramsUG Programs -59
PG Programs -21
Doctorate Programs -12
UG Programs -47
PG Programs -33
Doctorate Programs -5
Acceptance Rate70.0 %53.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS - 6.5
PTE - 59
TOEFL - 83
IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 63
TOEFL - 90
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   18990
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  10328
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 8363 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   66000
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  11790
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 20583 Per Year
placement (average package)

93.3% of international students were employed within 12 months of graduation. 

Average salary of Masters: $69000

Average salary of bachelors of science: $66000


Graduate Employability Rankings- # 24(QS 2023); 98.9% international student employment rate; Top recruiters are Manulife, TD Canada, Sun Life Financial Inc. etc. 

Average Salaries by Degree:

Doctorate: $156,000 

Masters in Finance: $91,000 

Bachelor (Other): $75,000 

Bachelor of Science: $69,000 

Masters in Science: $61,000 

Masters in Management: $54,000 


application requirements

Applicants must submit official transcripts of all previous education

Submit English Language Proficiency test scores

Complete the program specific requirements

Indian UG aspirants must have around 85% score with 75% in English and Maths. Fulfill Country-specific requirements

Campuses and B-SchoolsLazaridis School of Business & Economics
NA
CollegeDunia Reviews7.1/10 Read 9 reviews7.2/10 Read 41 reviews
General Facts Comparison
General FactsWilfrid Laurier UniversityUniversity of Waterloo
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1911
1957
Student:Faculty Ratio29:1
27:1
Male:Female41% Male, 58% Female54% Male, 46% Female
Location Facts

Laurier has two campuses: one in Waterloo and one in Brantford. Laurier’s campuses are located at the heart of southwestern Ontario, Canada’s most populous province. Ontario is home to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, and Toronto, the largest city in Canada.


1,000 acres campus located in the Quantum Valley (Canada’s emerging technological hub); surrounded at the borders by Waterloo Park, Wilfrid Laurier University & Laurel Creek Conservation Area; easily accessible via public transport; dozens of food outlets & restaurants within 20 minutes of distance. 


Library

 Laurier Library holds 1 million print volumes, 312,000 electronic books, 68,000 electronic journals, and 280 databases, thousands of media titles (about 5,000 including streaming and DVDs). In addition, the library is a member of the tri-university "group of libraries" (University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University), through which access to a combined information collection in excess of seven million print items is available.


4 libraries: 3 on-campus, 1 in Cambridge; Library system is a part of TriUniversity Group; Houses more than 1.4 million books including e-books, serial titles, databases. 


Campus Life

The student life on campus is academically driven, yet socially thriving. Laurier is Canada’s No. 1 university for student satisfaction in the comprehensive category of the Macleans Rankings for Canadian Universities for the fourth year in a row. Laurier has more than 250 student-led clubs and groups, in addition to faculty associations, student unions and student publications. From international internships and exchange programs to international field courses, seeing the world from a different perspective is always encouraged.


Student Life Centre (SLC) responsible for organizing cultural, social and recreational activities; Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and Student Housing Office; 24/7 information desk known as Turnkey Desk; 200+ student clubs; 100+ volunteer services; Earth Sciences Museum; Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Center (largest center for Quantum Research)


Hostel#Double Room - $3938
#Single Room - $4425
#Double Room - $3677
#Interconnecting Room - $3912
#Single Room - $4099
Famous Alumni

Dean Allison (Canadian politician), Stephen Woodworth (Canadian politician), Cheryl Pounder (ice hockey player), Shad (Canadian rapper)


Over 203,000 graduates; Robert Mundell (Nobel Laureate), Donna Strickland (Nobel Laureate), Mike Lazaridis (Founder of BlackBerry Ltd.), Prem Watsa (Founder of Fairfax Financial); Rupi Kaur (Canadian Poet); Karl Ting (Actor); Apoorva Mehta (Founder of Instacart); David Cheriton (Canadian Computer Scientist).


City Life

Waterloo is a dynamic urban centre well known for its rich cultural diversity and high-tech savvy. Often rated as one of the top 10 cities to live in Canada, Waterloo attracts top business talent and students from around the world, advancing its reputation as one of the country’s smartest communities.


Waterloo- Tech-hub of Canada; over 1,000 tech-related businesses set up in the city; over 400 restaurants and shops to explore; More than 40 cultural events; Famous attractions include Waterloo Park, West Montrose Covered Bridge, Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo Central Railway, Conestoga Mall, Innocente Brewing Company; Unemployment rate: 5%


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