University of Windsor or Concordia University for studies in Canada?

University of Windsor vs Concordia University

The University of Windsor, situated in Windsor, Ontario, is a medium-sized Canadian public university with approximately 16,000 students. It is known for its Engineering, Business, Law, Social Science, and Cross-Border Studies programs due to its proximity to Detroit, USA. Admissions are fairly open with an acceptance rate of approximately 65%. The graduation rate of Windsor is approximately 67%, and the graduates receive average starting salaries of CAD $48,000–52,000 (INR 29–32 lakhs) per year.

Concordia University, located in Montreal, Quebec, is a major public university having a culturally diverse student population of nearly 46,000 students. Concordia is prominently recognized for having strengths in Business, Fine Arts, Engineering, Computer Science, and Communication Studies. The admission process is relatively softer, with an acceptance rate of nearly 78%. Concordia's graduation rate is nearly 70%, and its alumni generally receive average beginning salaries of CAD $50,000–55,000 (INR 30–34 lakhs) per year.

Overview Comparison
University of WindsorConcordia University
Collegedunia Score4.1 Out of 104.2 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 501 Times Higher Education 2026
# 546 QS World University 2026
# 501 Times Higher Education 2025
# 465 QS World University 2026
# 601 Times Higher Education 2026
# 415 QS World University 2025
Subject Strength# 301 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 601 for Law by Times Higher Education 2023
# 251 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 551 for Medicine by QS World University 2020
ProgramsUG Programs -45
PG Programs -40
Doctorate Programs -7
UG Programs -46
PG Programs -43
Doctorate Programs -6
Acceptance Rate30.0 %78.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-520
GRE-292
IELTS-6.5
PTE-65
TOEFL-83
Duolingo-120
GMAT-580
IELTS-7
PTE-61
TOEFL-90
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   38250
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  17246
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 8458 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   19856
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  42068
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 26353 Per Year
placement (average package)

Top recruiters: Litens Automotive, Ground Effects, Magna International , FCA Corp, Flex-N-Gate Corporation

Average Salaries Are Listed Below:

  • MBA  : $74,000
  • Bachelor of Science : $73,000
  • Bachelor of Arts : $42,000
  • Masters in Science : $41,000

Average Salaries By Degree: 

  • Master (Other): $86,000 
  • Masters of Arts  : $77,000 
  • MBA  : $75,000 
  • Masters in Finance : $63,000 
  • Masters in Science : $59,000 
  • Bachelor (Other) : $47,000 


application requirements

UG applicants must fulfill core-subject requirements, which vary as per the choice of program. Masters applicants must have at least 70% in their UG degree. PhD applicants must have at least 77% in their master's degree. 

No specific minimum GPA required

Campuses and B-SchoolsOdette School of Business
John Molson School of Business
CollegeDunia Reviews7.3/10 Read 23 reviews7.3/10 Read 39 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 401 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 120/160GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120Duolingo - 125/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 57/90TOEFL - 85/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesMar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake)
Apr 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake)
Jul 31, 2025 (Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students Deadline)
Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake)
Jun 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Winter Intake)
Sep 30, 2025 (Final Payment Deadline For Winter/Fall Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of WindsorConcordia University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1963
1974
Student:Faculty Ratio1:33:1
13:1
Male:Female47% Male, 0% Female48% Male, 52% Female
Location Facts

The university is located by the banks of Detroit river. The location is accessible in minutes from both downtown Windsor and Detroit. 


Located in Montreal
the two campuses are linked through shuttle services offered free of cost


Library

Leddy library Provides full-text access to over 20,000 ebooks and 75,000 public documents - is a merger of 3 previous collections: Canadian Health Research Collection, Canadian Public Policy Collection, Canadian Publishers Collection.It has an academic search tool: Omni. 


Total collection 1,668,267 titles held
growing by 10,000-15,000 titles per year.
15 special collections
126 archival fonds and collections


Campus Life
  • There are approximately 200 clubs and organizations available for students to join at the University of Windsor, so there is something for everyone.
  • Students have many possibilities to participate in various student clubs and events and make new acquaintances.
  • There are many eateries in Windsor, a diverse and ethnic town where students can spend their free time.
  • The university offers varsity sports, intramurals, a free gym, yoga, other fitness activities, and a riverfront route for students to jog and bike on.

The university has technoculture-arts and games, variety of sports clubs and athletic games
13 varsity teams and clubs
variety of student assiciations, clubs, recreation facilities, and sports camps


Hostel#Cartier Hall - Double Room - $4796
#Room - $7728
#Apartment rental and utilities - $8800
Famous Alumni

At Windsor, there is an Alumni association that enhances the current batch of students by inspiring them and connects with the past batch students as well.

Some of the University of Windsor notable alumnies are as follows:

  • Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Tessa Jane McCormick Virtue, Canadian retired ice dancer
  • Amanda Tapping, British-Canadian actress and director
  • Cara Gee, Canadian film, television, and stage actress 
  • Patrick Walter Brown, Canadian politician.

Two time winter-Olympic Gold medalist- Alexandre Bilodeau, Annie Proulx- Writer, Anna Hopkins- actress, Aanchal Malhotra (Author/historian), Jeff Barnbay (Director)


City Life
  • Windsor- You can explore the world-class museums at DIA, the science center, Detroit zoo, and Henry Ford museum through the connectivity offered by tunnel bus.
  • You can rollerblade around the river’s scenic front, catch local jazz trios at Windsor bars, ice skate at Charles Clack Square, attend Whitestripes concert at Detroit, or pound plexiglass at Red wings game.
  • The city of Windsor has the  unemployment rate in Canada of 5.7% (March 2023).

The city offers a huge student crowd with 6 universities and 12 colleges.
120 annual parades, cheaper cost of living, low unemployment rate (6.4%)


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Windsor vs Concordia University

Topic Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Concordia University in Montreal is ranked higher internationally, approximately 465 in QS 2026 and 501-600 in THE 2026, with established strengths in Business, Engineering, Arts & Humanities, and Social Sciences. The University of Windsor is ranked 546 in QS 2026 and 501-600 in THE 2026, with excellent programs in Engineering, Law, Business, Social Work, and Automotive Studies.

General Information

With about 50,000 students, Concordia University is a sizable public university that was founded in 1974 and offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and research opportunities. It is known for its English-language accessibility and diverse student body in Quebec. With about 16,000 students, the University of Windsor is a medium-sized public university that was founded in 1857 as Assumption College before becoming a university in 1963. It emphasizes applied learning and student-centered education.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Concordia is about 78% moderately selective, and has competitive admission to Engineering, Business, and Fine Arts. Windsor is moderately selective as well 65%, but has greater selectivity in faculties such as Law and Engineering. Both institutions have international students, but the urban location of Concordia offers greater worldwide appeal

Research Impact & Facilities

Concordia enjoys a robust research profile in engineering, digital innovation, sustainable development, and business through Montreal's networks. Windsor highlights applied research in automotive technology, cross-border policy, law, and environmental studies through its proximity to Detroit and excellent industry partnerships.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both are public institutions with relatively low tuition compared to other Canadian institutions. Tuition for domestic students is about CAD 7,000–9,000 per year, and for international students, CAD 20,000–27,000 per year. Both offer merit scholarships, need-based grants, and research assistantships, with Concordia offering slightly more options because it is bigger.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Concordia graduates excel in business, media, engineering, and the arts with exposure to Montreal's job market and global networks. Windsor graduates excel in law, auto engineering, social work, and border trade, working in Canada–U.S. industry and government.