York University vs Simon Fraser University, where to study in Canada?

York University vs Simon Fraser University

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York University and Simon Fraser University are the public research universities of Canada ranking within the top 600 among world universities. 

Overview Comparison
York UniversitySimon Fraser University
Collegedunia Score4.3 Out of 104.8 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 333 QS World University 2026
# 401 Times Higher Education 2026
# 362 QS World University 2025
# 301 Times Higher Education 2026
# 308 QS World University 2026
# 301 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
# 301 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 451 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 301 for Law by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -59
PG Programs -41
Doctorate Programs -6
UG Programs -51
PG Programs -32
Doctorate Programs -13
Acceptance Rate27.0 %59.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-550
GRE-320
IELTS-6.5
TOEFL-88
Duolingo-125
GMAT-550
GRE-310
IELTS-6.5
PTE-65
TOEFL-90
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   24861
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  10033
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 38900 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   22035
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  5481
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 7090 Per Year
placement (average package)

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 

Average Salaries Are Listed Below:

  • Masters in Science : $102,000 
  • MBA : $65,000 
  • Bachelor of Science : $60,000 
  • Executive MBA : $57,000 
  • Bachelor of Arts : $53,000 
  • Bachelor (Other) : $48,000 

application requirements

Supplementary Program Information Form
Letters of Recommendation

Qualitative and Analytical skill assessment
Graduation from University-prepratory program (program dependent)

Campuses and B-SchoolsSchulich School of Business
Osgoode Hall Law School
Beedie School of Business
CollegeDunia Reviews6.8/10 Read 41 reviews6.6/10 Read 13 reviews
General Facts Comparison
General FactsYork UniversitySimon Fraser University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1959
1965
Student:Faculty Ratio11:1:1
32:1
Male:Female43% Male, 57% Female46% Male, 54% Female
Location Facts

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


Simon Fraser University has three campuses, each located in different parts of Greater Vancouver. SFU's original campus is located in Burnaby, atop Burnaby Mountain. The Vancouver campus consists of multiple buildings in downtown Vancouver and the Surrey campus is located inside Central City.

The downtown campus has expanded to include several other buildings in recent years, including the Segal Graduate School of Business. In September 2010, SFU Contemporary Arts moved into the Woodward's redevelopment, known as the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts.

SFU's three campuses are all accessible by public transit. The Vancouver campus is a block away from the Waterfront SkyTrain station while the Surrey campus is adjacent to the Surrey Central SkyTrain station. The Burnaby campus is linked to the Production Way–University, Burquitlam, and Sperling–Burnaby Lake SkyTrain stations by frequent shuttle bus service.


Library

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


More than 1.1 million e-books
1,475,000 Print books
2500 print and 98,000 ejournal subscriptions
500+ database


Campus Life

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


  • The Simon Fraser Student Society provides funding for over 300 campus clubs
  • Graduate student society, peer education and leadership programs.
  • Movie Nights on-campus (COVID-19 made it Virtual movie nights on campus)
  • Program specific societies.
  • Pub Maggie Benston
  •  SFU also houses various competitive club teams, including Men's Lacrosse, who currently competes in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association, and Men's Hockey, who currently competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League. Other club teams include rugby, cheerleading, rowing, quidditch, and field hockey.
  • CJSF-FM radio is the school's radio station, broadcasting from 90.1 FM to Burnaby and surrounding communities


 


Hostel#Shared Bathroom and Board - $7040
#Ensuite Room and board - $8960
#Residence Per Term - $3920
Famous Alumni

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).


Terry Fox (Athlete), Margaret Trudeau (Actress, Author, Justin Trudeau’s Mother), Calvin Chen (businessman, actor), Christy Clark (Canadian Politician), Tony Buzan (Author and Education consultant), Dave Cobb (6 times Grammy record producer)


City Life

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


Burnaby is a thriving urban centre known for its sound public transit system, great shopping and restaurants, and excellent family-friendly communities. It is sandwiched in between the Fraser River and the Burrard Inlet, and has the Canadian Rockies as a stunning backdrop

The average burnaby bc salary in Canada is $39,400 per year or $20.21 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $33,150 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $74,211 per year.


Weather
Comparison Notes

Let's compare York University and Simon Fraser University based on the following criteria to help students choose the option for them:

  • World ranking of Simon Fraser University is better than York University. 
  • On QS Ranking 2020, SFU secured 314th place while York University was ranked between 511 to 520.
  • THE ranked SFU between 251 to 300 and York University was placed within 401 to 500. 
  • Simon Fraser University’s 2020 Impact Ranking was 19 whereas York University secured 33rd place.
  • Simon Fraser University was given better score than York University by THE in all ranking criterias except teaching.
  • Overall acceptance rate of SFU is higher than York University by 6% which means it is more easier to get in. 
  • Cost of accomodation both the universities is almost the same.
  • Graduate Employability Ranking of both universities is also nearly same. However, Employer Reputation score of York University, given by QS News, is slightly better. 
  • Average salary earned by graduates of various programs such as MBA, LLM, PhD of York University is higher than Simon Fraser University.

So, taking into account all the above factors, it would be advised that if an international student’s aim is to get a job after degree, he/she should go for York University. However, if one wants to pursue higher education, Simon Fraser University would be better choice.