University of Alberta vs University of Ottawa

As per Times Higher Education Rankings, 2020 U of A and UOttawa lie consecutive to each other. UAlberta ranks #6 in Canada and UOttawa ranks #7. Compare the top Canadian Universities on following parameters:

Overview Comparison
University of AlbertaUniversity of Ottawa
Collegedunia Score5.7 Out of 104.7 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 109 Times Higher Education 2024
# 111 QS World University 2024
# 110 QS World University 2023
# 177 Times Higher Education 2024
# 203 QS World University 2024
# 137 Times Higher Education 2023
Subject Strength# 90 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024
# 69 for Medicine by QS World University 2023
# 101 for Law by Times Higher Education 2024
# 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024
# 137 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023
# 58 for Law by Times Higher Education 2024
ProgramsUG Programs -72
PG Programs -63
Doctorate Programs -8
UG Programs -67
PG Programs -55
Doctorate Programs -11
Acceptance Rate66.0 %55.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT - 550
IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 61
TOEFL - 90
GMAT - 560
IELTS - 7
PTE - 60
TOEFL - 86
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   22125
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  13972
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 15600 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   43306
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  19102
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 44253 Per Year
placement (average package)

Graduate employability Ranks QS: #99

It is ranked #110 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

Bachelor (Other)

$66,000 

Bachelor of Science

$57,000 

Other Degree

$51,000 

Masters in Science

$47,000 

Bachelor of Arts

$46,000 


Ranked #237 in QS World University Rankings

University of Ottawa Graduates & Alumni Salaries - By  Degree

Degree                    Average Salary

MBA                           $105,000 

Other Degree              $64,000 

Bachelor (Other)        $62,000 

Masters in Science     $56,000 

Bachelor of Science    $55,000 

Bachelor of Arts         $42,000 


application requirements

LOR, SOP, Academic transcripts, and program-specific requirements. Grade required for UG and PG admission is B. GMAT/GRE scores are also required for various PG program admissions. 

UG applicants must have 70% minimum score.
PG applicants must have a grade of B (60-70%). 

Campuses and B-SchoolsSchool of Business, University of Alberta
Telfer School of Management
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 14 reviews7.6/10 Read 33 reviews
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of Ottawa
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1908
1848
Student:Faculty Ratio0:1
13:1
Male:Female44% Male, 56% Female40% Male, 60% Female
Location Facts

Six campuses, with main (north campus) located on the edge of North Saskatechwan river. 
Surrounding areas offer a variety of cuisine from vegan to halal as well as authentic Canadian
The river valley offers a variety of sporting options like skiing, biking etc


Located in the residential area of Sandy Hills
Rideau Canal of the city is located near
Parliament hill is at walking distance


Library

Eight million volumes
1.9 million ebooks
140,000 scholarly journals
120,000 digitized books


844 databases, 20,000 digitized French books, Institutional repository contains 24,0000 items with 13,000 theses.
Print books- 2,425,715
E-journals- 74,414
Microforms- 1,933,215
Government publications- 1,023,632


Campus Life

Aboriginal Peoples Network, BearsDen (online student community), Fraternities and Sororities, Graduate Students' Association, Peer Support Centre, Sport Clubs, Student Music Ensembles, Students' Union, and Volunteer Opportunities


45 Intramural leagues
175 different clubs and groups to join
Museum of classical antiques
Comedy nights at Cafe Nostalgica
Various arts, music and sports festivals. 
on-campus free movie screenings
University’s Got Talent, fund raiser competition
 


Hostel#Single Room - $12400
#Suite (2 single occupancy bedrooms) - $10084
#Apartment (4-bedroom apartments) - $12215
#Traditional (double occupancy bedrooms) - $7093
#Studio (double occupancy) - $8611
Famous Alumni

One Nobel laureate, four justice of supreme court, and 68 Rhodes scholars
Rona Ambrose (Former member of the Canadian house of commons), Daryl Katz (Canadian businessman), Paul Gross (Canadian actor), Don Iveson (Mayor of Edmonton), Tak Wah Mak (Canadian geneticist), Jordan Peterson (clinal psychologist), Dinee Hinshaw (chief medical officer for health in Alberta).


A community with 180,000 Alumni
Alex Trebek (TV host), Andrew Scheer (Canadian MP), Peggy Tseng (Model), Paul Martin (former Canadian Prime Minister), Felix Leclerc (singer/song writer), Carol Sheilds (Pulitzer Winner).


City Life

The capital of Alberta, Edmonton has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada
For the last 5 years, Alberta’s Edmonton is responsible for 25% of the total new jobs located all across Canada
For the last 5 years, it has had three times higher GDP, population and income growth than Canadian Average.
Downtown has a total public and private investment of around $5 billion.


Ottawa is one of the affordable cities in Canada considered the heart of Canadian political life. It is a bilingual city architectural beauties like Spark street and Wellington street. Byward Market and Elgin Street are renowned for offering best dining out experiences. The nightlife is fun and relaxed. Festivals like Winterlude, Irish Week, and Bluesfest are most celebrated. Unemployment rate for May 2020- 9.5%. 


Weather
Comparison Notes

Pursuing higher education in Canada is of great advantage for an international student planning to relocate to the country with their immigration friendly policies. Though opting University of Alberta over University of Ottawa may seem like an obvious choice based on the global and national rankings but there are various other aspects that an international student must keep in mind while making this choice. 

Studying at University of Ottawa

  • Number of FT-undergradaute programs at UOttawa offered are more.
  • Higher acceptance rate.
  • Cost of hostel and meal plan at UOttawa is less than UAlberta.
  • Larger international student strength at University of Ottawa is higher.
  • Around 65 million USD funding was awarded.

Studying at University of Alberta

  • Though the acceptance rate is low, scores of exams requried to study in Canada are lower.
  • The university offers programs in native studies.
  • Lower tuition fees.
  • Higher salary package offered to graduates.
  • Scholarships at UAlberta funded over 87 million USD funds for the students
  • Business and engineering programs at University of Alberta are ranked better.

As mentioned above the choice between University of Alberta and UOttawa is leaned towards the former. However, the factors that may affect this decision is choice of program (which may not be available with UAlberta) or cheap cost of accommodation. Not only does UAlberta has lower tuition fees but it also offers more funds to students. Additionally, University of Alberta with not only allow you admissions with a lower score but with also offer you jobs with better salaries. To choose for University of Ottawa you must identify enough solid reasons which ace University of Alberta.