The Western University in London, Ontario, is one of Canada's top public research universities with approximately 35,000 students. It is especially famous for its Business (Ivey School of Business), Medicine, Law, Social Science, and Engineering programs. Admissions are relatively selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 58%. Graduation is highly ensured at Western with a rate of around 81%, and its graduates receive average starting salaries of CAD $55,000–60,000 (INR 33–37 lakhs) per annum.
The University of Ottawa (uOttawa), which is located in Ottawa, Ontario, is the globe's largest bilingual (English-French) public university, having around 42,000 students. It is known for Law, Social Sciences, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Public Policy programs, which are advantaged by being in Canada's capital. Admissions are relatively less competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 80%. uOttawa's graduation rate is around 77%, and alumni receive average starting salaries of CAD $52,000–56,000 (INR 31–34 lakhs) per annum.
| Western University | University of Ottawa | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5 Out of 10 | 4.7 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 151 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 120 QS World University 2025 | # 187 Times Higher Education 2026 # 219 QS World University 2026 # 189 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 | # 273 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 124 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 69 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -42 PG Programs -43 Doctorate Programs -13 | UG Programs -67 PG Programs -53 Doctorate Programs -11 |
| Acceptance Rate | 58.0 % | 80.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 IELTS-6.5 PTE-58 TOEFL-86 | Duolingo-120 GMAT-628 IELTS-6.5 PTE-60 TOEFL-86 |
| 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 43306 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19102 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15758 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. | Ranked #237 in QS World University Rankings University of Ottawa Graduates & Alumni Salaries - By Degree
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| application requirements | Applicants for PG programs must have at least 60% (varies with program). | UG applicants must have 70% minimum score. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Richard Ivey School of Business Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry | Telfer School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.5/10 Read 25 reviews | 7.6/10 Read 38 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 86 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 96 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 125/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 92/120 | GMAT - 550/800GRE - 310/340IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 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 |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Western University | University of Ottawa |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1878 | 1848 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 30:1 | 15:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 42% Male, 57% Female | 40% Male, 0% 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 in the residential area of Sandy Hills |
| 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. | 844 databases, 20,000 digitized French books, Institutional repository contains 24,0000 items with 13,000 theses. |
| 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. | 45 Intramural leagues |
| Hostel | #Off-Campus Rent - $14400 #Residence & Meal Plan (8 months) - $18400 | #Traditional (double occupancy bedrooms) - $8258 |
| Famous Alumni | Western University is home to over 300,000 alumni. Some of the famous alumni are: | A community with 180,000 Alumni |
| 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. | 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 |
Western University vs University of Ottawa
Subject Global Rankings & Strength (2025/2026)
The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) generally places slightly higher than Western University in international rankings. In QS 2026, uOttawa places in the order of 219, while Western University is in the order of 151.Western is ranked well for Business, Economics, Medical Sciences, Law, and Social Sciences, while uOttawa is ranked for Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Medicine, and Bilingual Education.
General Information
Western University, established in 1878 in London, Ontario, is a public research institution with ~43,000 students, famous for its Ivey Business School, solid medical sciences programs, and student experience emphasis. The University of Ottawa, established in 1848, is also a public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, with ~42,000 students, recognized as the world's largest bilingual (English-French) university, providing programs in a broad array of fields
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both the institutions are moderately selective. Western has an acceptance rate of 58% with competitive admissions for Ivey Business, Health Sciences, and Medical programs. uOttawa's acceptance rate is slightly higher 80%, with competitiveness in Law, Health Sciences, and Political Science, considering its location in the capital city.
Research Impact & Facilities
Western is research-intensive, with strengths in medicine, neuroscience, law, business, and social sciences, with world-class research hospitals and laboratory facilities. uOttawa is also research-intensive, with research strengths in law, political science, medicine, engineering, and linguistics, and with the advantage of proximity to federal government departments, NGOs, and international organizations.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are public institutions with fees from CAD 6,500–9,000 a year for Canadian students and CAD 35,000–42,000 for foreign students, varying with program. Both have merit, need-based grants, and research opportunities, with uOttawa also having specific bilingualism-related scholarships.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Western graduates are in great demand in business, medicine, law, and research, with the Ivey Business School alumni network particularly esteemed. uOttawa graduates prosper in law, politics, public service, healthcare, and international organizations, taking advantage of its presence in Canada's capital and bilingual edge.
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