The University of Western Australia is one of the most respected public research universities in Perth, Western Australia in the Perth metropolitan region. It is a large university with 18,563 undergraduate students. It has competitive admissions, and the University of Western Australia acceptance rate is approximately 38%. Majors are Business, Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. Six-year graduation rate is 84%, and University of Western Australia graduates have a median starting salary of around INR 50,56,000 (ten years post-graduation, equivalent to $60,000 median earnings).
The University of Adelaide is a public research university based in Adelaide, South Australia in the Adelaide metropolitan area. It is a very large institution with 23,564 undergraduate students. Admission is competitive and has an acceptance rate of around 75% for the University of Adelaide. The majors offered are Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Medicine, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is 82%, and students graduating from the University of Adelaide earn a median starting salary of around INR 47,19,000 (ten years post-graduation, after converting $56,000 median earnings).
| University of Western Australia | University of Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.5 Out of 10 | 5.8 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 77 QS World University 2026 # 77 QS World University 2025 # 149 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 82 QS World University 2025 # 128 Times Higher Education 2025 # 213 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 151 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 111 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 101 for Law by QS World University 2025 | # 101 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 124 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 101 for Law by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -34 PG Programs -49 Doctorate Programs -2 | UG Programs -137 PG Programs -85 |
| Acceptance Rate | 38.0 % | 75.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-550 GRE-292 IELTS-6.5 PTE-64 TOEFL-82 | GMAT-500 GRE-295 IELTS-6.5 PTE-58 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 46300 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 49500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 20451 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 34265 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35420 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16700 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate employability ranking: #151-160, | Graduate Employability Ranking 2020: 171 – 180; Highest paying degrees are Executive Masters, Masters in Finance and Bachelor of Arts with average annual pay of 124,000 USD, 77,000 USD and 74,000 USD respectively. |
| application requirements | Core subjects like chemistry, mathematics, English, and physics required for Indian students | Evidence of motivation and commitment towards the subject; Resume |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.6/10 Read 10 reviews | 7.3/10 Read 13 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 121 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 151 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 201 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 71/90TOEFL - 100/120 | GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/120TOEFL - 79/120 |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Western Australia | University of Adelaide |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1911 | 1874 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 22:1:1 | 30:1 |
| Male:Female | 49% Male, 51% Female | 49% Male, 51% Female |
| Location Facts | Located between the Indian ocean and Darling ranges the main campus is bisected by Swan river, is the city of Perth where the main campus is located surrounded by leafy gardens and grand sandstone buildings | Four campuses: three in South Australia at North Terrace, Waite, and Roseworthy; one in Melbourne, Victoria; North Terrace is the main campus offering undergraduate programs and hub of research activities |
| Library | Law Library, Education, fine art & architecture library, J. Robin Warren library, Barry J Marshall library are some of the university libraries. It allows one search which helps you find the resource even if it is not available with these university libraries. | 3 libraries: Barr Smith, Roseworthy and Waite; 1,833 study spaces; 18,000,000 e-resources accessed; 82,935 items loaned from the library; 217,246 citation views; 224,253 full-text views; 3,193 files downloaded (as per 2019 statistics) |
| Campus Life | Over 140 student clubs and societies, volunteering on and off-campus is offered to students, fitness is explored with fitness clubs, yoga sessions, and sports. Campus has various shops and eateries, art exhibitions, etc | University has counseling support, disability support, international student support, wellbeing hub, safer campus community, over 130 clubs, and 40 sports clubs; university organizes Australia’s largest university snow ski trip |
| Hostel | #Studio Room - $11840 #Standard Room - $8611 | #Rooms - $16700 |
| Famous Alumni | Tim Minchin (comedian), Barry J.Marshall (Nobel laureate in Physics), Peter van Onselen (Australian author), Bob Hawk (former Australian PM), Melaine Perkins (CEO of Canva), Greta Scacchi (Actress), John Kinsella (poet). | Robin Warren and Barry Marshall (Nobel Prize for discovering the cause of peptic ulcers); Edward Charles Stirling (physiologist and politician); Brendon Coventry (helped in discovery of immune cycle); Sir Alexender Fleming (development of penicillin); Margaret Reid (first female president of Australian Senate) |
| City Life | Perth is a hub to innovation and industries and has a thriving economy. The unemployment rate is low as 3.5% (2019) and the city is known to be only 2.5 hours away (WA time zone) for 60% of the world's population. Access to global services is high and the city is known for its crystal clear beaches and sunset coasts. Explore Rottnest Islands, Fremantle, Kings Park, Swan Valley, and more. Multicuisine cafes, restaurants, and more offer both luxury and casual dining. | Adelaide is South Australia’s capital city; fifth largest Australian capital city; 75% of South Australia’s population live in Adelaide; Climate is 25 to 35 degree Celcius in summers and 10 to 15 degree Celcius in winters; Unemployment rate was 8.2% in 2019 |
| Weather |
University of Western Australia vs University of Adelaide
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both University of Western Australia and Adelaide belong to Australia's Group of Eight (Go8) research-intensive universities. University of Western Australia is ranked #77 in QS and 149th in Times Higher Education , whereas Adelaide ranks #82 in QS and 128th in Times Higher Education. Times Higher Education rankings have a similar trend, but University of Western Australia tends to be ranked higher overall, especially in citations and research impact. By field strength, UWA leads in Earth & Marine Sciences, Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Medicine, as well as having strong reputations in Engineering and Environmental Sciences. The University of Adelaide is especially well-regarded in Engineering, Computer Science, Agriculture, and Wine Sciences, with increasing reputation in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
General Information
University of Western Australia (UWA): Established in 1911, UWA is situated in Perth, Western Australia. It enrolls approximately 25,000 students, with a significant international student population, and is recognized for its research focus and well-respected medical and science schools.University of Adelaide: Founded in 1874, Adelaide is Australia's third-oldest university and operates in South Australia. With around 29,000 students, it features a historic sandstone campus and is known for academic intensity in science, engineering, and social sciences.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both institutions are relatively selective, with admission through ATAR for undergraduates and GPA/performance for postgraduate students. International students have to show strong academic performance and English capabilities (IELTS/TOEFL). UWA has slightly more stringent entry requirements in high-competition areas like Medicine and Dentistry. Adelaide is very competitive in Engineering and Health Sciences as well.
Research Impact & Facilities
UWA has a rich research output profile globally, especially in disciplines such as Oceanography, Agriculture, and Biomedical Sciences. It boasts world-class facilities such as the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre and robust medical science collaborations. The University of Adelaide is also at the fore of Australia's research efforts, with specialized institutes such as the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) and the Waite Research Institute for Agriculture under its umbrella. Its defense, AI, and space science contributions are particularly significant.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are publicly funded universities, and fees for international students typically are between AUD 38,000–47,000 annually depending on the course. UWA sometimes is at the more expensive end because of medicine and advanced science programs. Both institutions have academic excellence and merit scholarships, as well as financial aid, with Go8 scholarships being extremely competitive.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UWA graduates are highly respected throughout Australia, with high employability in the mining, energy, life sciences, and environment fields, which mirror Western Australia's economy. The graduates' network is international, particularly prominent in sciences and medicine. Adelaide alumni also have favorable outcomes, especially in engineering, AI, agriculture, and defense industries, which are driven by South Australia's expanding technology and defense industries. Its network of alumni features Nobel winners, Rhodes scholars, and senior leaders in public and private sectors.
