Wilfrid Laurier University vs York University

Wilfrid Laurier University is a public research university that is ranked among top 500 universities globally while York University is a public university and is the third largest university in Canada. 

Overview Comparison
Wilfrid Laurier UniversityYork University
Collegedunia Score4.1 Out of 104.3 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 801 Times Higher Education 2025
# 1291 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 1310 US News 2024
# 333 QS World University 2026
# 362 QS World University 2025
# 401 Times Higher Education 2025
Subject Strength-# 501 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 551 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 63 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -58
PG Programs -22
Doctorate Programs -12
UG Programs -59
PG Programs -41
Doctorate Programs -6
Acceptance Rate73.0 %27.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
PTE-59
TOEFL-83
GMAT-550
GRE-320
IELTS-6.5
TOEFL-88
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   18990
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  10328
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 8363 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   24861
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  10033
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 38900 Per Year
placement (average package)

93.3% of international students were employed within 12 months of graduation. 

Average salary of Masters: $69000

Average salary of bachelors of science: $66000


Graduate Employability Rankings (QS 2023)- #301-500

  • MBA : $107,000 
  • Doctorate : $89,000 
  • PhD :  $85,000 
  • LLM  : $76,000 
  • Executive Masters  : $70,000 
  • Bachelor (Other)   : $69,000 

application requirements

Applicants must submit official transcripts of all previous education

Submit English Language Proficiency test scores

Complete the program specific requirements

Supplementary Program Information Form
Letters of Recommendation

Campuses and B-SchoolsLazaridis School of Business & Economics
Schulich School of Business
Osgoode Hall Law School
CollegeDunia Reviews7.4/10 Read 11 reviews6.8/10 Read 40 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking-# 201 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 401 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
application--
exam scoresIELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 83/120Duolingo - 130/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -26883Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -31146
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesOct 30, 2025 (First Consideration Application Deadline for Winter 2026 Intake)
Nov 1, 2025 (First Consideration Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
Aug 15, 2025 (Application Deadline for Winter 2026 Intake)
Oct 30, 2025 (Application Deadline for Spring 2025 Intake)
Jan 1, 2026 (Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
Dec 15, 2025 (Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
ranking# 601 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 151 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023
application-#1680 Applicants
# 420 Admissions
# 25 % Acceptance Rate
exam scoresGMAT - 550/800IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120Duolingo - 130/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -58928
Return on Investment/Average Package#Average Salary#Average Salary98164
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesMar 30, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake)
Feb 19, 2025 (Round 3 Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Intake)
Oct 14, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsWilfrid Laurier UniversityYork University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1911
1959
Student:Faculty Ratio29:1
47:1
Male:Female41% Male, 58% Female43% Male, 57% Female
Location Facts

Laurier has two campuses: one in Waterloo and one in Brantford. Laurier’s campuses are located at the heart of southwestern Ontario, Canada’s most populous province. Ontario is home to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, and Toronto, the largest city in Canada.


Completely bilingual Gledon campus- home to Southern Ontario’s Center for Excellence for French Langauge & Bilingual Postsecondary education. Third largest university in Canada. 


Library

 Laurier Library holds 1 million print volumes, 312,000 electronic books, 68,000 electronic journals, and 280 databases, thousands of media titles (about 5,000 including streaming and DVDs). In addition, the library is a member of the tri-university "group of libraries" (University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University), through which access to a combined information collection in excess of seven million print items is available.


Four main and one archive libraries with more than 2,500,000 volumes


Campus Life

The student life on campus is academically driven, yet socially thriving. Laurier is Canada’s No. 1 university for student satisfaction in the comprehensive category of the Macleans Rankings for Canadian Universities for the fourth year in a row. Laurier has more than 250 student-led clubs and groups, in addition to faculty associations, student unions and student publications. From international internships and exchange programs to international field courses, seeing the world from a different perspective is always encouraged.


25 organized research centers
300 student clubs and organizations,
13 newspapers,
36 governing groups
33 national titles to its Athletic teams,
More than 1000 student-run events
20+community support centers


Hostel#Double Room - $3938
#Single Room - $4425
#Shared Bathroom and Board - $7040
#Ensuite Room and board - $8960
Famous Alumni

Dean Allison (Canadian politician), Stephen Woodworth (Canadian politician), Cheryl Pounder (ice hockey player), Shad (Canadian rapper)


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

Waterloo is a dynamic urban centre well known for its rich cultural diversity and high-tech savvy. Often rated as one of the top 10 cities to live in Canada, Waterloo attracts top business talent and students from around the world, advancing its reputation as one of the country’s smartest communities.


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. 
Variety of options for food trips, cultural & sports events, cafes, and nightlife worth experiencing


Weather