University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the northwest quadrant of the city close to the Bow River. It is a large university with approximately 30,400 undergraduate students. Admissions are competitive; the acceptance rate for undergraduates is estimated between 15% for most programs, although rates differ by faculty. Popular programs include Engineering, Business, Medicine, Nursing, and Environmental Sciences. The six-year graduation (undergraduate) rate is about 82%, and University of Calgary alumni enjoy a high job placement rate (around 96%) within months of graduation.
University of Saskatchewan is a publicly funded research university in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, situated on the east bank of the South Saskatchewan River. It is a large university with some 18,645 undergraduate students. Admission is moderately competitive; the acceptance rate ranges around 75% depending on source. Some of the most popular majors are Agriculture, Engineering, Business, Biology, and Computer Science. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 64%, and graduates from the University of Saskatchewan have good employment rates.
| University of Calgary | University of Saskatchewan | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.4 Out of 10 | 4.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 200 Times Higher Education 2026 # 211 QS World University 2026 # 198 QS World University 2025 | # 351 Times Higher Education 2026 # 378 QS World University 2026 # 340 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 | # 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 401 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 251 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -63 PG Programs -62 Doctorate Programs -10 | UG Programs -55 PG Programs -47 Doctorate Programs -16 |
| Acceptance Rate | 55.0 % | 72.3 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 GMAT-550 IELTS-6.5 PTE-60 TOEFL-86 | Duolingo-120 IELTS-6.5 PTE-63 TOEFL-86 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 16642 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 13386 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24728 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 16780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 6437 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 20065 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.
| University of Saskatchewan is one of the top public universities in Saskatoon, Canada. It is ranked #=473 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Average Salaries by Degree:
|
| application requirements | Some specific courses are required for admissions (vary with program). | Academic transcripts; Resume; 2-3 LORs; SOPs/ Essays; Standardized test scores; Proof of English language proficiency; Additional requirements (research proposals; special credits, etc.) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Haskayne School of Business | Edwards School of Business College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 33 reviews | 7.3/10 Read 12 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 251 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 501 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 97/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 63/90TOEFL - 86/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -42906 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (Full time MBA)) | Mar 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Calgary | University of Saskatchewan |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1966 | 1907 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 23:1 | 18:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 45% Male, 0% 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. | 3 campuses- Saskatoon (main campus), Regina & Prince Albert; Main campus- spread across 2,425 acres; situated beside the South Saskatchewan River, past city center of Saskatoon. |
| 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. | The library holds 2,422,695 total titles. Total volumes at library: 2,932,727. Ebooks collection at the library: 788,916. Total items loaned to other libraries: 5636. Along with these the library has numerous ejournals, databases, and articles available for students. |
| 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. | Global Institute of Food Security; Global Institute for Water Security; Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Center for Nuclear Innovation; Canadian Light Source synchrotron; VIDO-InterVac (International Vaccine Center); 15 athletics teams; over 150 student clubs & societies; Campus Rec (Recreation clubs, societies & teams); Culinary Services (Marquis Culinary Center, Ag Cafe, Arts Cafe, Booster Juice, Starbucks, Subway, Tim Hortons). |
| Hostel | #Single Suite - $10219 #Two bedroom suite - $8609 | #Housing - $17352 |
| 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. | 155,000+ alumni; 72 Rhodes Scholars; 2 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry; 44 Olympians; John Diefenbaker (13th Canadian PM); Lorne Babiuk (Scientist); Michael Byers (Canadian legal scholar); Kim Coates (Actor); Rahul Sharma (India businessman, founder of Revolt Motors & co-founder of Micromax Informatics); Permanand Mohan (Senior CS lecturer at University of West Indies). |
| 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) | Saskatoon- largest city Canadian province of Saskatchewan; cultural & economic hub of central Saskatchewan; often referred to as ‘Paris of the Prairies’; Popular tourist attractions: Remai Modern Museum, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Diefenbaker Canada Center, Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Meewasin Valley Trail, etc.; economy based on potash, oil, agriculture, etc.; Unemployment rate- 5.67% (2019). |
| Weather |
University of Calgary vs University of Saskatchewan
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both the University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewan are top Canadian research-intensive universities and part of the U15 group. Calgary tends to be higher in the world overall: for example, Calgary attains external research income of approximately CAD 588.5 million and is known to have excellent programs in engineering & health. Saskatchewan excels especially in agriculture, environmental sciences, water security, and veterinary science. In QS World University Rankings, Saskatchewan approximates to around #378 in the world. Calgary's precise QS ranking is higher (#211).
General Information
Calgary has total enrollment of more than 35,500 full-time equivalent students, with undergraduates numbering approximately 30,400. It has more than 250 programs within various faculties. Saskatchewan has approximately 18,645 undergraduates and overall enrollment slightly higher when graduate students are considered. It has over 200 programs. Calgary campus is in an urban location; Saskatchewan campus is more picturesque, in Saskatoon, with close regional affiliations particularly in agriculture, environment, and public health fields.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Admission to Calgary is rather selective for most programs with overall undergraduate acceptance rates estimated at 10-20% for highly competitive faculties, although not all programs are that selective. Saskatchewan's admission profile is more open with an approximate acceptance rate ranging from 65-72% based on program and year. Both have demonstration of English ability required for international students. Disciplines such as engineering, medicine at Calgary might have other prerequisites.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both institutions possess robust research profiles. Calgary's external research revenue over the latest period is CAD 588.5 million. It funds numerous research centres, startup development, high graduate employment and startup activity, etc. The University of Saskatchewan is extremely strong in signature research streams such as the Global Institute for Water Security, agriculture, sustainability, energy, indigenous studies, vaccine and infectious disease research, etc. Calgary prefers to have better funds and more wide-ranging facilities; Saskatchewan owns specialist centers with profound influence in its areas of expertise.
Cost & Financial Aid
Information regarding tuition, cost of living, financial aid is more differential by residency status (domestic vs international) and program. Calgary has many different scholarships and prestige awards available; international students pay more. Saskatchewan has entrance scholarships.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Calgary graduates enjoy good job placement: roughly 96% secure employment within months of graduation, with many employed in their field of study. The same is true for Saskatchewan, with good employment rates across most programs. Both institutions' graduates in areas such as agriculture, environment, engineering, health have good local and national prospects.
