University of Canberra is a good public university in Canberra, Australia. It is a mid-sized university with around 12,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are open, with an overall acceptance rate of around 78%. Education, Business, Health Sciences, Information Technology, and Arts are some of the most popular courses. The six-year graduation rate is about 70%, and University of Canberra graduates have a median starting salary of around INR 5,50,000 (around AUD 9,000 median income ten years post-graduation).
Australian National University, or ANU, is a top public research university in Canberra, Australia. It has a large enrollment of around 10,000 undergraduate students. ANU admissions are competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of around 35%. Politics, International Relations, Science, Engineering, and Economics are popular majors. The six-year graduation rate is around 90%, and ANU graduates enjoy a median starting salary of around INR 12,00,000 (approximately AUD 20,000 median income ten years after graduation).
| University of Canberra | Australian National University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.4 Out of 10 | 6.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 494 QS World University 2026 # 401 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 32 QS World University 2026 # 73 Times Higher Education 2026 # 73 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 251 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023 # 651 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 351 for Law by QS World University 2025 | # 76 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 161 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -120 PG Programs -37 Doctorate Programs -3 | UG Programs -50 PG Programs -97 Doctorate Programs -31 |
| Acceptance Rate | 78.0 % | 35.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-550 IELTS-6.5 PTE-58 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6.5 PTE-64 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 21277 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 24150 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21371 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 31000 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 32341 [For PG Program] |
| placement (average package) | Overall employment rate: 89%, the graduate employment outcomes at UC are better than the national average (as per QILT’19). The university partners with EY, Xero, PWC, Deloitte, InstaClustr, and other industry giants. | Graduate Employability: #66, |
| application requirements | Indian Students are required to have 65-89% scores for pursuing bachelor's depending on the course. | Accepting DET (Duolingo English Test) for 2021 entry, score required: 115, Interviews required |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.7/10 Read 5 reviews | 8.4/10 Read 12 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 68 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 81 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120 | GMAT - 600/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 64/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| application dates | Nov 30, 2025 (Semester 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) | Jun 3, 2024 (Application Deadline For Semester 2 Intake) |
| ranking | # 251 for Accounting by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 43 for Accounting by QS World University 2025 # 62 for Accounting by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6/9PTE - 50/90TOEFL - 60/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 64/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -21277 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -31000 |
| application dates | Nov 30, 2025 (Semester 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) | Dec 13, 2023 (Application Deadline For 21 December Offers) Dec 30, 2023 (Application Deadline For 5 January Offers) Jan 5, 2024 (Application Deadline For 12 January Offers) Jan 20, 2024 (Application Deadline For 26 January Offers) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Canberra | Australian National University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1967 | 1946 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 29:1 | 17:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 52% Male, 48% Female | 46% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Located in the suburbs of Bruce, within walking distance of Civic Center and Westfield Belconnen. Surrounded by the suburb of Lawson and lake Ginninderra and open space. | Located in the capital city an inland surrounded by mountains, bushes, and hills. The campus is rather smaller and calmer. |
| Library | 60,000: E-journals and books and an overall collection of books in generalized in 6 categories. These are Clough collection, General Collection, Law Collection, newspaper collection, rare books collection, and National Center for Australian Children’s collection. It has buzzing food scenes and excellent sports and entertainment venues. | Collection of theses from over 60 years, Brissenden collection: 1450 volume, newspapers from over 120 countries and in 60 languages, and much more |
| Campus Life | University offers Canberra’s only eSports lounge with 20 PCs and Consoles as XBOX, prospective students can chat with current students through The Access Platform (TAP). Tie-ups with elite sports teams, various clubs and societies, activities like live music, orientation week activities, etc | Around 130 clubs, on-campus cafe, shops, & bars, and designated Queer, women, ethnocultural, environmental departments |
| Hostel | #Single Room - $13478 #Rental Room - $7893 | - |
| Famous Alumni | Betty Kitchener (Australian health educator), Garth Nix (Writer), Simon Corbell (Australian Politician), George Gregan (retired Rugby player), Lotay Tshering (PM of Bhutan), Vivek Wadhwa (Entrepreneur), Wil Anderson (Comedian). | Kevin Rudd (Former PM), Bob Hawke (former PM), Peter Garrett (member of Australian house of representatives), Nich Minchin (Australian Senator), Jennifer Robinson (Australian human rights lawyer). |
| City Life | Canberra, Capital of Australia, is a vibrant and progressive city known for its international outlook. Canberra has the lowest unemployment rate in Australia. The overall cost of living is lower at Canberra. | Considered most liveable city in Australia, Canberra has parliament house (old and the current one), National museum and gallery of Australia, National zoo and botanical park, CSIRO discovery center, variety of cultural events, multi-cuisine dining, etc. The unemployment rate is as low as 3.9% |
| Weather |
University of Canberra vs Australian National University
Subject Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)
The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra occupy distinctly different places in the international higher education picture. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, ANU occupies position 32, whereas the University of Canberra is ranked 494. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2026, ANU is ranked 73 in the world, while Canberra is in the 401–500 band. Likewise, in US News Global Rankings 2026, ANU ranks at 86 while Canberra trails further at 847. ANU is well known for academic strengths in politics, international relations, social sciences, and natural sciences, whereas Canberra is more well known domestically for applied studies in health, education, and design.
General Information
The University of Canberra, based in the capital of Australia, is a younger, more recent institution with approximately 16,000 students. It is industry-focused, with strong connections to industry and a focus on employability in such areas as nursing, education, design, and IT.
ANU, which is also located in Canberra, is one of Australia's oldest and most elite universities and has approximately 20,000 students. It is known as a research powerhouse and is especially famous for its distinguished academic community, lively research culture, and international influence.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
ANU, on the other hand, is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of only 35%, mirroring its international standing and high level of competition for admission to programs like law, international relations, economics, and science.
Research Impact & Facilities
University Canberra is involved in practical and applied research, typically related to society requirements, health sciences, and teaching.
ANU is a world leader in facilities and research throughput, especially in field-based research areas like policy, governance, astrophysics, environmental science, and economics, supported by world-renowned faculty members and diversified collaborations.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both universities are quite competitive in fees, and they both offer diversified scholarships for local and international students. ANU, by virtue of its international standing, has more globally competitive research scholarships, while the University of Canberra generally has more regionally focused scholarships and industry-linked grants.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Canberra graduates are extremely hireable in professional careers like healthcare, teaching, and business due to the industry connections of the university.
ANU graduates enjoy international recognition, with graduates succeeding in academics, politics, international institutions, and research careers. Strong reputation of the university guarantees global mobility of careers.
