Western University vs University of Toronto, where to study in Canada

Western University vs University of Toronto

Western University in London, Ontario, is among the top public research universities in Canada with around 40,000 students. It is highly valued for courses in Business, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, and Engineering. Admissions are relatively competitive with an acceptance ratio of approximately 58%. The graduation rate is around 81%, and Western graduates receive average starting salaries of around CAD $55,000–60,000 (INR 33–37 lakhs) per annum.

The University of Toronto (UofT), in Toronto, Ontario, is Canada's best and largest university, with over 97,000 students at three campuses. It is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities globally and is known for its strengths in Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine, Business, and Humanities. Admissions are extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of close to 43%. UofT has a high graduation rate of approximately 84%, and its graduates receive average initial salaries of CAD $60,000–65,000 (INR 36–40 lakhs) per year.

Overview Comparison
Western UniversityUniversity of Toronto
Collegedunia Score5 Out of 107.4 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 151 QS World University 2026
# 201 Times Higher Education 2026
# 120 QS World University 2025
# 21 Times Higher Education 2026
# 29 QS World University 2026
# 21 Times Higher Education 2025
Subject Strength# 176 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 151 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025
# 17 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 10 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 14 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -42
PG Programs -43
Doctorate Programs -13
UG Programs -80
PG Programs -93
Doctorate Programs -7
Acceptance Rate58.0 %43.0 %
Exam ScoreDuolingo-115
IELTS-6.5
PTE-58
TOEFL-86
Duolingo-100
GMAT-550
IELTS-6
PTE-60
TOEFL-89
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   25144
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  1590
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 32800 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   45616
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  30120
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 60626 Per Year
placement (average package)

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.


Placement rate was around 85% within 3 months of graduation Top recruiters were McKenzie Investments, KPMG, EY, Deloitte, Pepsico, Scotiank, National Bank Financial and others.

University of Toronto Graduates & Alumni Salaries - By  Degree:

  • Executive Masters-$208,000
  • PhD-$85,000
  • MBA-$83,000
  • Doctorate-$74,000
  • Masters in Science-$73,000
  • Masters in Finance-$72,000


application requirements

Applicants for PG programs must have at least 60% (varies with program). 
Additional application form may be required for some of the programs

Student Profile/Supplementary Application (depends on program)
Indian student: Boards Certificate

Campuses and B-SchoolsRichard Ivey School of Business
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
University of Toronto (Mississauga)
University of Toronto (Scarborough)
Rotman School of Management
CollegeDunia Reviews7.5/10 Read 25 reviews7.4/10 Read 81 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 86 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 96 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 24 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 33 for Business by QS World University 2025
application#343 Applicants
# 151 Admissions
# 44 % Acceptance Rate
#1656 Applicants
# 275 Admissions
# 16 % Acceptance Rate
exam scoresDuolingo - 125/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 92/120IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120
Return on Investment/Average Package#Average Salary141231#Average Salary
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesNov 17, 2025 (Round 5 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Jan 9, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Sep 10, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Nov 19, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Mar 4, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsWestern UniversityUniversity of Toronto
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1878
1827
Student:Faculty Ratio30:1
15:1
Male:Female42% Male, 57% Female45% Male, 55% Female
Location Facts

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.


Located admist of mixed green space and historical architecture
Connected via 4 subway stations


Library

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. 


Largest Library in Canada but ranked third in North America following Havard and Yale. Total 40 libraries are located across three campuses. More than 12 millions printed books, 1.4 million digital books, 150467 journal titles and a staff of 169.


Campus Life

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.


The campus has Kinesiology & Physical Education Undergraduate Association, Annesley Student Government Association (ASGA), Radio FWD, The Underground, UTM Society- CFRE Radio 91.9 FM, The Medium, Mike- newspaper, CIUT FM 89.5, and UTM AFFILIATE - Women's Centre.


Hostel#Off-Campus Rent - $14400
#Residence & Meal Plan (8 months) - $18400
#Graduate House Standard Double Room With Meal plan - $13491
#Chestnut Residence Double Room With Meal plan - $21933
#Chestnut Residence Single Room With Meal plan - $25202
Famous Alumni

Western University is home to over 300,000 alumni. Some of the famous alumni are:
Alice Munroe (writer and Nobel laureate)
Roberta Bondar (Canada's first female astronaut and the first neurologist in space)
Sheila Copps (ex-Deputy Prime Minister of Canada)
Glenn Stevens (Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia)


10 Nobel laureates, Ariana Grande (singer), Lin Chi-ling (model), Patrick Brown (Canadian Politician), Agnes Chan (Singer), Rudy Giuliani (Former Mayor of New York City), Margaret Atwood (writer) and Leslie Dan.


City Life

London is set in the heart of Southwestern Ontario and is considered the region’s economic, entertainment, and cultural hub. With a population of more than 383,000, London is Canada’s 11th largest city. London's economy is dominated by medical research, insurance, manufacturing, and IT.


Toronto is the second largest financial city in North America with a rate of success is higher for its brilliant management of talent, good quality of life and excessive competitive business ambiance. Since 2009, GDP growth of Toronto is higher in comparison to other major cities. 
Variety of options for food trips, cultural & sports events, cafes, and a nightlife worth experiencing


Weather
Comparison Notes

Western University vs University of Toronto

Subject Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Toronto (U of T) is considerably higher-ranking globally than Western. In QS 2026, U of T is approximately 29, with relative strengths in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Medicine, Law, and Social Sciences, ranking consistently among the world's top universities. Western University (Western) is ranked approximately 151 in QS 2026 and is particularly strong in Business, Medicine, Law, and Social Sciences, frequently ranking among Canada's top universities but behind U of T in international rankings.

General Information

U of T, established in 1827 in Toronto, Ontario, is Canada's largest university with ~97,000 students, providing broad undergraduate, graduate, and professional education on three campuses. Western, established in 1878 in London, Ontario, is a medium-to-large research university with ~40,000 students, where it has a tight-knit campus culture and professional programs, particularly business and health sciences.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

U of T is very selective 43%, with more competitive admission in Engineering, Business, and Computer Science. Western is moderately selective acceptance rate 58%, but programs like Ivey Business, Law, and Medicine are extremely competitive. Both universities receive strong domestic and international applications.

Research Impact & Facilities

U of T is Canada's research leader, with world leadership in medicine, AI, engineering, and social sciences, underpinned by large libraries, laboratories, and collaborations with industry and government. Western is also active in research, with special strength in business, neuroscience, medical sciences, and law, and has strong community and industry relationships in Canada.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both universities are public. U of T's fee is approximately CAD 6,500–7,000 annually for domestic students and CAD 60,000–65,000 for international students, while Western's fee is slightly less, around CAD 6,300–6,800 for domestic students and CAD 40,000–50,000 for international students. Both institutions provide merit scholarships, need-based awards, and international awards.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

U of T graduates lead the world in business, technology, law, medicine, and academia, aided by one of Canada's largest and most distinguished alumni networks. Western alumni are especially influential in business management, health care, and law, with the Ivey School of Business graduating several of the top executives and entrepreneurs.