University of Waterloo and Western University are two of the reputed public universities in Canada. According to the QS World University Rankings 2020, the University of Waterloo lies #7 nationally while Western University lies next at #8.
| University of Waterloo | Western University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.3 Out of 10 | 5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 112 QS World University 2024 # 158 Times Higher Education 2024 # 154 QS World University 2023 | # 114 QS World University 2024 # 201 Times Higher Education 2024 # 172 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 | # 176 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024 # 175 for Medicine by QS World University 2023 # 176 for Law by Times Higher Education 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -47 PG Programs -33 Doctorate Programs -5 | UG Programs -34 PG Programs -39 Doctorate Programs -13 |
| Acceptance Rate | 53.0 % | 57.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS - 6.5 PTE - 63 TOEFL - 90 | IELTS - 7 PTE - 58 TOEFL - 88 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 66000 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 11790 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 20583 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 25144 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 9974 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 26690 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 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 | Western University has an employment rate of 91.5% after 6 months of graduation. With dentistry, medicine and therapy & rehabilitation having an employment rate of 100%. Average salary of Western University graduates is 62,000 USD. Highest earning graduates are Doctorate (293,000 USD); Executive MBA (181,000); Masters in Finance (161,000 USD); MBA (109,000 USD), etc. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | Richard Ivey School of Business Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.2/10 Read 41 reviews | 7.9/10 Read 20 reviews |
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| General Facts | University of Waterloo | Western University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1957 | 1878 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 27:1 | 22:1 |
| Male:Female | 54% Male, 46% Female | 44% Male, 56% Female |
| Location Facts | 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. | Main campus is located on 1,120 acres of land in London, Ontario. Campus is surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The university operates twelve academic faculties and schools. The central campus includes most of the university residences and teaching facilities. |
| Library | 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. | Western University libraries consist of six different libraries that house over 5.7 million book holdings, electronic resources such as e-books, serial titles, and databases, etc. |
| Campus Life | 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) | The university if considered Canada’s most beautiful university with Gothic-style buildings mixed with modern, LEED-certified structures. The university operates the Artlab Gallery and the McIntosh Gallery; has links with the Museum of Ontario Archaeology; has nine student residences housing; Community Centre, etc. |
| Hostel | #Double Room - $3677 #Interconnecting Room - $3912 #Single Room - $4099 | #Single Room without Meal Plan - $8020 #Double Room with Meal Plan - $8950 #Single Room with Meal Plan - $9720 |
| Famous Alumni | 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). | Western University is home to over 300,000 alumni. Some of the famous alumni are: |
| Weather |
The University of Waterloo outstands Western University based on a number of factors. However, UWO also has its own perks for students looking for higher education in Canada. In the section below we will briefly discuss the factors that can help students choose among the two Canadian universities.
- UWaterloo ranks higher nationally as well as globally based on rankings provided by various ranking agencies.
- According to Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020, Ivey School of Business at Western University ranks at #1 for MBA in Canada.
- Admissions at Western University are comparatively lenient with a higher acceptance rate.
- There is not much difference between the cost of study at the two universities.
- UWaterloo ranks #2 in Canada in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020 while Western University at #6.
- UWaterloo graduates are able to earn higher salary packages. However, MBA and management students at Western University earn higher than UWaterloo.
Based on the factors discussed above, the University of Waterloo would be the best choice for students wanting to study in Canada. However, Western University would make it to the priority list for graduates looking for a top MBA or management program with better ROI.
