University of Windsor Vs Lakehead University - Orillia

University of Windsor is a highly regarded public research university located in Windsor, Ontario in the Windsor metropolitan area. It is a large institution with about 11,600 undergraduates. Its admissions are somewhat competitive at an acceptance rate of about 65%. The most popular majors include a diverse range of arts, humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, nursing, education, law, and science, with more than 120 majors and minors. The six-year graduation rate is not individually reported, but statistics indicate 74.8% of first-year undergraduates graduate within seven years. University of Windsor alumni continue to enjoy a median initial salary of around INR 35,00,000 (around CAD 45,000/year) ten years post-graduation.

Lakehead University - Orillia is a dedicated public university campus located in Orillia, Ontario in the Orillia–Barrie census agglomeration. It is a mid-sized university with around 1,400 undergraduate students on the Orillia campus. Admissions are comparatively open, with an acceptance rate of about 82%. Interdisciplinary arts and sciences, business, social work, and education are some of the popular majors on the Orillia campus along with more general offerings across the faculties of Lakehead. The six-year graduation rate is not available, but institutional statistics indicate that 73.8% graduate in seven years. Lakehead Orillia alumni continue to receive a median entry-level salary of around INR 20,00,000 (around CAD 25,000/annum) a decade after graduation.

Overview Comparison
University of WindsorLakehead University, Orilla Campus
ProgramsUG Programs -45
PG Programs -40
Doctorate Programs -7
UG Programs -30
Acceptance Rate65.0 %82.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-520
GRE-292
IELTS-6.5
PTE-65
TOEFL-83
IELTS-6.5
PTE-60
TOEFL-85
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   38250
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  17246
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 11587 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   17560
[For UG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 7848 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 salary of graduate students range around 103,000 CAD and for bachelors it ranges around 157,000 CAD. 


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. 

Submit official transcripts of all previous education. Submit english language proficiency test scores. Submit reference letter. Students need to check program specific requirements. 


Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 301 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 601 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 83/120Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 85/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -34875Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -17560
application datesSep 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For January Intake)
Jan 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For May Intake)
May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For September Intake)
Mar 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake)
Apr 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring/Summer 2025 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of WindsorLakehead University, Orilla Campus
Type of UniversityUniversity
Campus
Established1963
2006
Student:Faculty Ratio26:1
25:1:1
Male:Female48% Male, 52% Female41% Male, 59% 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. 


Lakehead University is situated in two areas of the city with campus locations in the historic downtown and 500 University Avenue. 


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. 


Orilia campus has a library that can be used by both the students and the alumni. Students can borrow resources from the library and also use the online resources available at the library. 


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 Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) gives you the chance to become involved in academic, political and social affairs.  Students can join one of over 60 clubs on campus, or start their own. Other opportunities include student societies, volunteer opportunities and leadership opportunities.  


Hostel#Double Room Per Semester - $3709
#Single Room Per Semester - $4578
#Apartment - $3815
#Townhouse - $4033
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.

Steven Ashton: Minister of Water Stewardship/MLA Thompson, Government of Manitoba, Glenn Bindley: President and CEO, Redlen Technologies,

Richard Buset: Managing Partner, Buset & Partners LLP, Ken Davis: CEO, Snugabye Inc


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 of Orillia is situated in one of the most unique and picturesque regions in Central Ontario. Orillia has got arts, music, theatre, festivals, sports, beaches, skiing, pubs and restaurants, all within an hour from Toronto and 30 minutes from Barrie. Minutes from campus is the largest growth area of Orillia in West Ridge. New restaurants, shops and businesses offer new possibilities, part-time employment, and shopping.


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Windsor vs Lakehead University – Orillia

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

University of Windsor is a mid-sized Canadian research university and is ranked globally #546 in QS and 501–600th in Times Higher Education. It has programs in Engineering, Business, Law, and Social Sciences and is known for these. Lakehead University, of which the Orillia campus is a part, is a smaller, undergraduate-dominated institution that typically features in national tables but not in top global ones. It is ranked globally 1001–1200th in Times Higher Education and in QS it is unranked. It has strengths in Education, Environmental Studies, Social Work, and Business, with a focus on interdisciplinary undergraduate programs at the Orillia campus.

General Information

The University of Windsor comprises approximately 16,000 students, a broad variety of undergraduate and graduate studies, and a significant international student body. Its campus is located close to the US border in Ontario, which promotes cross-border connections. Lakehead University Orillia, as part of the greater Lakehead system (total approximately 9,700 students), provides a smaller campus experience, with less than 2,000 students, perfect for individualized learning and intimate faculty-student relationships.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Windsor has selectively moderate admissions, with acceptance rate of about 65%. Lakehead Orillia generally has more open entry requirements, with acceptance rate of about 82%, and also offers pathways and bridging programs for students. Windsor accepts a broad range of graduate and professional students, whereas Orillia specializes mainly in undergraduate studies.

Research Impact & Facilities

The University of Windsor boasts a more extensive research profile in Engineering, Automotive, and Social Justice, underpinned by collaboration with industry and border-crossing institutions in Detroit. It has large labs, libraries, and professional schools. Lakehead Orillia, as part of a research-intensive university system, is more teaching-centered at the Orillia campus, with a focus on community-based learning, environmental studies, and small-class interaction as opposed to large-scale labs.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both universities are publicly funded Canadian institutions with comparable international student fees, generally CAD 25,000–32,000 annually based on program. The University of Windsor is slightly more costly, particularly in Engineering or professional programs. Both Windsor and Lakehead offer international student scholarships, with Windsor having a greater number of merit-based awards and Lakehead focusing on entrance scholarships and continuous assistance for academic retention.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

University of Windsor graduates pursue engineering, law, business, healthcare, and public service careers, taking advantage of their location and industry networks. Graduates are broadly placed in Canada. Lakehead Orillia graduates are successful in education, environmental policy, business, and community leadership, with good employment rates in Ontario. Windsor graduates have higher international mobility, while Lakehead Orillia graduates are supported by individual academic mentorship and provincial career connections.