The University of Waterloo, situated at Waterloo, Ontario, is a premier Canadian public research university with approximately 42,000 students. It has a global reputation for innovation, cooperative education (co-op) programs, and areas of excellence in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Technology. Admissions are competitive with an average acceptance rate of 20%. Waterloo's graduation rate is approximately 79%, and graduates—particularly from co-op streams—have excellent starting salaries ranging from CAD $65,000–70,000 (INR 40–43 lakhs) per year.
The University of Alberta (UAlberta) in Edmonton, Alberta, is yet another top-ranked Canadian public research university with around 40,000 students. It is specifically renowned for programs in Engineering, Energy Research, Medicine, Business, and Agriculture. Admissions are fairly selective, with an acceptance ratio of roughly 58%. UAlberta's graduation rate is roughly 76%, and the average starting salary of alumni is approximately CAD $55,000–60,000 (INR 33–37 lakhs) per annum.
| University of Waterloo | University of Alberta | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.3 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 119 QS World University 2026 # 162 Times Higher Education 2026 # 115 QS World University 2025 | # 94 QS World University 2026 # 119 Times Higher Education 2026 # 81 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 47 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 34 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 251 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 88 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 86 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 126 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -45 PG Programs -33 Doctorate Programs -5 | UG Programs -67 PG Programs -63 Doctorate Programs -8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 53.0 % | 58.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-120 IELTS-6.5 PTE-63 TOEFL-90 | Duolingo-120 GMAT-550 IELTS-6.5 PTE-61 TOEFL-90 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 66000 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 11790 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16020 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 22125 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 29772 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 19344 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Rankings- # 24(QS 2023); 98.9% international student employment rate; Top recruiters are Manulife, TD Canada, Sun Life Financial Inc. etc. Average Salaries by Degree:
| Graduate employability Ranks QS: #99 It is ranked #110 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
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| application requirements | Indian UG aspirants must have around 85% score with 75% in English and Maths. Fulfill Country-specific requirements | LOR, SOP, Academic transcripts, and program-specific requirements. Grade required for UG and PG admission is B. GMAT/GRE scores are also required for various PG program admissions. |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 58 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 21 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 251 for Biology by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Biology by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 118 for Biology by QS World University 2025 # 118 for Biology by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 63/90TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -11790 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -10017 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Feb 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) Jul 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake) | Aug 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake) Feb 1, 2026 (Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Waterloo | University of Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1957 | 1908 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 31:1:1 | 9:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 53% Male, 0% Female | 45% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | 1,000 acres campus located in the Quantum Valley (Canada’s emerging technological hub); surrounded at the borders by Waterloo Park, Wilfrid Laurier University & Laurel Creek Conservation Area; easily accessible via public transport; dozens of food outlets & restaurants within 20 minutes of distance. | Six campuses, with main (north campus) located on the edge of North Saskatechwan river. |
| Library | 4 libraries: 3 on-campus, 1 in Cambridge; Library system is a part of TriUniversity Group; Houses more than 1.4 million books including e-books, serial titles, databases. | Eight million volumes |
| Campus Life | Student Life Centre (SLC) responsible for organizing cultural, social and recreational activities; Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and Student Housing Office; 24/7 information desk known as Turnkey Desk; 200+ student clubs; 100+ volunteer services; Earth Sciences Museum; Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Center (largest center for Quantum Research) | Aboriginal Peoples Network, BearsDen (online student community), Fraternities and Sororities, Graduate Students' Association, Peer Support Centre, Sport Clubs, Student Music Ensembles, Students' Union, and Volunteer Opportunities |
| Hostel | #Housing - $11400 | #Housing - $14844 |
| Famous Alumni | Over 203,000 graduates; Robert Mundell (Nobel Laureate), Donna Strickland (Nobel Laureate), Mike Lazaridis (Founder of BlackBerry Ltd.), Prem Watsa (Founder of Fairfax Financial); Rupi Kaur (Canadian Poet); Karl Ting (Actor); Apoorva Mehta (Founder of Instacart); David Cheriton (Canadian Computer Scientist). | One Nobel laureate, four justice of supreme court, and 68 Rhodes scholars |
| Weather |
University of Waterloo vs University of Alberta
Topic Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Waterloo (UW) and the University of Alberta (UAlberta) are both highly ranked Canadian research universities, although UAlberta tends to rank a bit higher internationally. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, UAlberta is approximately 94 and UW is approximately 211.Waterloo excels particularly in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Co-op education programs, frequently among the top in Canada. UAlberta is internationally known for Energy, Petroleum Engineering, Earth Sciences, Medicine, AI, and Health Sciences, making it have a robust applied research focus.
General Information
UW, established in 1957 in Waterloo, Ontario, has ~42,000 students and is most famous for its co-op education system, where academics are blended with paid work terms, and is thus a hotbed of innovation and tech-minded students. UAlberta, established in 1908 in Edmonton, Alberta, has ~44,000 students and is one of Canada's oldest and largest research-intensive universities, with close industry, healthcare, and government connections.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Waterloo is very competitive for STEM fields, especially Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Mathematics, where acceptance rates for premier programs are sometimes below 20%. UAlberta as a whole has an acceptance rate of 58%, however its professional school programs such as Engineering, Medicine, and Business are far more competitive.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are U15 research universities with global collaborations. Waterloo is most well-known for its innovation ecosystem, tech company partnerships, and research in quantum computing, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. UAlberta is a global leader in energy research, artificial intelligence (host of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), agriculture, medicine, and earth sciences, featuring large-scale labs and government-industry collaborations.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are public schools with lower prices for Canadian residents and higher rates for foreign students. Waterloo's co-op program assists students in paying for tuition through paid work placements. UAlberta, located in Edmonton, is cheaper than universities in larger markets like Vancouver or Toronto, with a generous set of scholarships and research assistantships.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Waterloo alumni are internationally renowned in technology, engineering, startups, and finance, with many going on to top companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Deloitte, or becoming successful entrepreneurs. UAlberta graduates are leaders in energy, healthcare, government, and research, with good placement in Canada's energy industry and public service, as well as international scholarly contributions.
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