Western University in London, Ontario, is a top-ranked Canadian public research university with around 30,000 students. It is well renowned for its high profile in Business (Ivey Business School), Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Social Sciences. Admissions are fairly competitive with an acceptance rate of approximately 58%. The graduation rate is around 81%, and Western graduates receive average starting salaries of CAD $55,000–60,000 (INR 33–37 lakhs) per annum.
York University, situated in Toronto, Ontario, is Canada's largest university, with more than 55,000 students. It has programs in Business (Schulich School of Business), Law, Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities. Its admissions are comparatively easier, with an acceptance rate of approximately 27%. York's graduation rate is approximately 77%, and its graduates receive average starting salary packages of CAD $50,000–55,000 (INR 30–34 lakhs) per annum.
| Western University | York University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5 Out of 10 | 4.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 151 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 120 QS World University 2025 | # 333 QS World University 2026 # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 362 QS World University 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 | # 501 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 551 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 63 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -42 PG Programs -43 Doctorate Programs -13 | UG Programs -59 PG Programs -41 Doctorate Programs -6 |
| Acceptance Rate | 58.0 % | 48.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 IELTS-6.5 PTE-58 TOEFL-86 | IELTS-7 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 25144 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 1590 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32800 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 61304 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19716 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16865 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. | Graduate Employability Rankings (QS 2023)- #301-500
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| application requirements | Applicants for PG programs must have at least 60% (varies with program). | Supplementary Program Information Form |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Richard Ivey School of Business Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry | Schulich School of Business Osgoode Hall Law School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.5/10 Read 25 reviews | 6.8/10 Read 41 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 86 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 96 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 151 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | #343 Applicants # 151 Admissions # 44 % Acceptance Rate | #1680 Applicants # 420 Admissions # 25 % Acceptance Rate |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 125/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 92/120 | IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -139694 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -110550 |
| Return on Investment/Average Package | #Average Salary141231 | #Average Salary |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Nov 17, 2025 (Round 5 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Jan 9, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) | Oct 9, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for September 2026 Intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for September 2026 Intake) Feb 19, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for September 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Western University | York University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1878 | 1959 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 30:1 | 12:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 42% Male, 57% Female | 43% Male, 57% 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. | Completely bilingual Gledon campus- home to Southern Ontario’s Center for Excellence for French Langauge & Bilingual Postsecondary education. Third largest university in Canada. |
| 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. | Four main and one archive libraries with more than 2,500,000 volumes |
| 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. | 25 organized research centers |
| Hostel | #Off-Campus Rent - $14400 #Residence & Meal Plan (8 months) - $18400 | #Residence/Apartment - $13800 |
| Famous Alumni | Western University is home to over 300,000 alumni. Some of the famous alumni are: | Lily Singh (Youtuber), Steve Maclean (astronaut), John Tory (Mayor of Toronto), Dr. Miguna Miguna (Canadian-Kenyan Author), Jack Layton (Former MP), Shawn Doyle (Actor), Navdeep Bains (Minister of innovation, science and industry), Eric Walter (Author). |
| 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, the GDP growth of Toronto is higher in comparison to other major cities. |
| Weather |
Western University vs York University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Western University (Western or UWO) tends to be ranked higher internationally than York University. Western is about 151, while York is about 333 in QS 2026. Western is highly ranked in Business, Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Social Sciences. York is equally strong in Business,Law Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Western has more overall research recognition, but York excels in business, law, and interdisciplinary studies.
General Information
Western, established in 1878 in London, Ontario, is a public research university with ~30,000 students and a reputation for traditional campus life, professional faculties, and research excellence. York, established in 1959 in Toronto, Ontario, is Canada's third-largest university with ~55,000 students, providing a multicultural, urban university experience with a focus on social responsibility and world views.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Western is somewhat selective 58% with more competitive admissions for Business, Engineering, and Medicine. York is more accepting 27%, although programs such as Schulich Business and Osgoode Law are extremely competitive and selective.
Research Impact & Facilities
Western is a research-intensive university (U15 member) that leads in medicine, health sciences, business, and engineering with state-of-the-art labs, libraries, and international research collaborations. York is also research-active, with particular strengths in social justice, law, business, and sustainability, and is home to large research units such as the York University Centre for Vision Research and the Lassonde School of Engineering.
Cost & Financial Aid
Since they are public universities, tuition is comparable: ~CAD 7,500–9,000 per year for Canadian students and ~CAD 30,000–36,000 for foreign students. Both offer merit scholarships, need awards, and graduate funding. Western is more likely to have prestige-based scholarships through Ivey, whereas York prioritizes accessibility and diversity programs.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Western graduates excel in business, medicine, law, and academe, with a solid alumni network and the cachet of such programs as Ivey Business. York graduates succeed in business, law, government, and the arts, with Schulich Business and Osgoode Law having international reputations and strong placement rates.
