| Updated On - Sep 16, 2025
University of Calgary is a public research university in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, situated in the northwest part of the city. It is a mid-sized university with around 26,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are competitive but the overall acceptance rate is 15%, Highly popular majors are Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, and Psychology. The retention is excellent (first year retention ~ 95%), and after graduation employment is high. Average salaries of approximately CAD 70,000 per annum are reported by graduates after some time.
University of Alberta is a public research university in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, located in the valley of the North Saskatchewan River. It is a large university with more than 28,000 undergraduate students (in addition to graduate students), total undergraduate + graduate enrollment higher, overall acceptance rate is 58%. Admissions are competitive; published minimum entering grades for several programs are high (e.g., for Engineering, etc.). Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Education, and Biological Sciences are popular majors.
| University of Calgary | University of Alberta | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.4 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 211 QS World University 2026 # 198 QS World University 2025 # 201 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 94 QS World University 2026 # 81 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 96 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 176 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 132 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 88 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 86 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 126 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -63 PG Programs -62 Doctorate Programs -10 | UG Programs -67 PG Programs -63 Doctorate Programs -8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 15.0 % | 58.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 GMAT-550 IELTS-6.5 PTE-60 TOEFL-86 | GMAT-550 IELTS-6.5 PTE-61 TOEFL-90 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 16642 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 13386 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21943 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 22125 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 10017 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15600 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Ranks (2023): #131-140. Top recruiters- University of Calgary, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, ATB Financials, Enbridge Pipelines Inc., Alberta Health Sevices, etc.
| Graduate employability Ranks QS: #99 It is ranked #110 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
|
| application requirements | Some specific courses are required for admissions (vary with program). | 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. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Haskayne School of Business | School of Business, University of Alberta |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 33 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 21 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 251 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 149 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 97/120 | Duolingo - 120/160GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 90/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Aug 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Calgary | University of Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1966 | 1908 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 44% Male, 56% Female |
| Location Facts | Located in Calgary, main campus lies in the northwest quadrant close to Bow River and has a view of Alberta's rocky mountain. The other smaller campus lies in the city center. | Six campuses, with main (north campus) located on the edge of North Saskatechwan river. |
| Library | Comprises 6 different libraries and a museum. There is a dedicated library offering recourses on business. It also has a special and archive collection. Eight largest library in Canada with over 4.0 million printed volumes, and over 300,000 full electronic text. | Eight million volumes |
| Campus Life | You can join various groups led by UG and PG student organizations. The Q center is dedicated to people from the queer community. A Variety of volunteering options are available. The annual Strong Festival and Carnival are two of the most celebrated events. A variety of athletic activities are also available. Calgary Dinos compete in 12 varsity sports. The university houses aquatic center, fitness studio, dance studio, weight rooms, and climbing walls. It runs 2 newspapers, a radio station and a TV production where students can indulge. | 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 |
| Hostel | #Single Room and board - $12534 #Double Room and board - $9409 | #Single Room - $12400 |
| Famous Alumni | Stephan Harper (Former Canadian PM), Naheed Nenshi (Politician), Robert Thirsk (Former Canadian Space Agency Astronaut), James Gosling (Computer Scientist), Kristina Groves (Speed Skater), Hal Kvisle (Canadian Businessman), Rob Anders (Former Canadian MP), Ian Brodie (Canadian Political Scientist), Ronal Wright (Canadian Author), Peter Wong (Chief Executive of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Coorp), etc. | One Nobel laureate, four justice of supreme court, and 68 Rhodes scholars |
| City Life | Calgary is the energy capital of Canada. It is one of the most liveable city of North America and the fourth largest city in Canada. It records the most patents per capita, highest concentration of corporate head office, and small businesses per capita in Canada. Attend events like Internation Film Festival, concerts, parades, tournaments, derby, etc. It has Calgary Stampede (national music center), few museums, and a zoo. Unemployment rate to Dec 2022: 5.8%(Dec 2022) | The capital of Alberta, Edmonton has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada |
| Weather |
University of Calgary vs University of Alberta
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both UCalgary and UAlberta are constituent members of Canada's top research universities. In latest QS World University Rankings, UCalgary is placed approximately #211 in the world in QS for 2026, and in the top 200-250 in Times Higher Education rankings. UAlberta generally places higher in the world, around QS #94 in recent times, and does well in most subject rankings particularly in engineering, health sciences and physical sciences. UAlberta has strengths in areas like Earth & Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Biological Sciences; UCalgary is also strong in Energy/Clean Energy, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sustainability, especially with its research collaborations and institutes.
General Information
UAlberta, established in 1908, is both older and larger, having more than 28,000 undergrads and overall student body much bigger including graduate students. UCalgary, founded in 1966, has approximately 26,000 undergrads and overall enrollment slightly more than 33,000 at all levels. UAlberta has numerous programs at 200+ undergraduate and numerous graduate programs; UCalgary likewise has more than 250 programs at undergraduate level across its several faculties. UAlberta provides breadth over many fields with solid research facility, whereas UCalgary places heavy emphasis on innovation within energy, sustainability, health, and engineering.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UCalgary's stated acceptance rate is 15% for most programs, particularly competitive ones. UAlberta's admissions are competitive particularly for high-demand programs; minimum entering grades are typically high (notably for Engineering, etc.). Both demand high school scholastic excellence; English proficiency testing for international students; additional application requirements for certain faculties.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both universities rank amongst the best research universities in Canada. UAlberta has impressive facilities including the National Institute for Nanotechnology, huge libraries, robust research output in Health Sciences, Environment, Physical Sciences. UCalgary boasts robust research in energy, brain research (Hotchkiss Brain Institute), sustainability, biomedical engineering, with expansion in applied research. UCalgary gained recognition in QS Sustainability rankings, ranking amongst leading global universities in sustainability measures.
Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition at UCalgary is program-specific; out-of-province/international fees are more expensive. Living cost in Calgary is moderate; UAlberta likewise has costs in Edmonton roughly lower. Both institutions provide scholarships and financial assistance.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Both UAlberta and UCalgary graduate outcomes are positive. Both institutions have high graduate employment outcomes, solid alumni networks, particularly in fields pertaining to the local economy (energy, health, engineering, natural resources).
1691136992.png?h=40&w=40&mode=stretch)
