Thompson Rivers University is a highly respected public university in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. It is a mid-sized university with about 12,000 undergraduate students. It is open to admissions, having an overall acceptance rate of around 82%. Some of its most popular majors are Business, Tourism, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Health Sciences. The graduation rate within six years stands at approximately 60%, and Thompson Rivers alumni receive a median starting salary of about INR 4,50,000 (about CAD 7,500 median salary a decade after graduation).
Athabasca University is a reputable public university based in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada, with a reputation for emphasis on distance and online education. It is a massive university with about 40,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are available, and the overall acceptance rate is around 75%. Popular majors are Business, Computing and Information Systems, Psychology, and Liberal Arts. The six-year graduation rate is around 55%, and Athabasca graduates are awarded a median starting salary of some INR 4,00,000 (around CAD 6,800 median income a decade after graduation).
| Thompson Rivers University | Athabasca University | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | UG Programs -52 PG Programs -7 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -8 PG Programs -4 |
| Acceptance Rate | 82.0 % | 75.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-7 TOEFL-94 | IELTS-6 PTE-59 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 16695 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 34223 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 42991 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 12916 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 43607 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 1425 Per Year |
| placement (average package) |
| Master of Nursing program has 100% placements with average salary of $70,000. The average salary for Bachelor of Arts is around $55,000. |
| application requirements | Applicants must have completed secondary school and submit transcripts of all previous education completed. Submit English language proficiency test scores. | Submit official transcripts Submit English language requirements Check program specific requirements |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 94/120 | GMAT - 500/800IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| application dates | Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake) Feb 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Mar 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For May Intake) Jun 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For August Intake) Oct 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For January Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Thompson Rivers University | Athabasca University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1970 | 1970 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 61:1 | 30:1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 64% Male, 36% Female |
| Location Facts |
| AU is an online university that allows students to learn while working. The university allows students to learn from any place around the world. |
| Library |
| The university’s Library team of librarians and staff are dedicated to assisting learners to succeed in courses and programs. The library collection has been developed to support AU’s curriculum, and includes scholarly resources, like journal databases, ebooks, print books, and other materials, such as maps and streaming audiovisual materials |
| Campus Life |
| AU students come from all over the world, contributing their knowledge, experience, and global perspectives to the online classes. |
| Hostel | #One-bedroom suite - $10000 #Four-bedroom suite - $9100 #Two-bedroom suite - $9100 #Two-bedroom deluxe suite - $9850 | #Accommodation rent/month - $625 #Homestay Rent/month - $800 |
| Famous Alumni |
| Ryan O’ Marra (Canadian ice hockey player), Ralph Klein (Canadian politician and journalist), Christian Farstad (two time Canadian olympian) |
| City Life | Kamploos city is the third largest city in British Columbia, Canada. This city offers a relaxed lifestyle with warm climate and unlimited opportunities for recreational activities. | Athabasca is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located 145 km (90 mi) north of Edmonton at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 55, on the banks of the Athabasca River. It is the centre of Athabasca County. The town is home to Athabasca University, a major centre for distance education and the town's largest employer. |
| Weather |
Thompson Rivers University vs Athabasca University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Thompson Rivers University and Athabasca University are two reputable Canadian universities that specialize in delivering open education with robust regional and domestic reputations, although neither is listed on the QS, THE, or US News world rankings. Thompson Rivers University is especially renowned for its pragmatic programs in tourism, environmental studies, business, and health sciences. Athabasca University has an expertise in distance learning and online education, providing flexible programs in a variety of fields including business, arts, health, and technology, targeting working adults and distance learners.
General Information
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) was founded in 1970 and is based in Kamloops, British Columbia, with approximately 25,000 students, of which a significant proportion are international students. TRU has an extensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs with a major emphasis on applied learning and the development of the workforce.
Athabasca University (AU), established in 1970 as well, is headquartered in Alberta and a pioneer of open and distance learning, with a student population of more than 40,000. It is flexible in learning, especially meant for adult learners, professionals, and those needing non-traditional delivery of education.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
The two universities both have high acceptance rates, ensuring that they are open choices to a broad range of students. Thompson Rivers University has an 82% acceptance rate, with open and flexible admissions to many programs, prioritizing access to higher education to a large segment of the population. Athabasca University has a relatively lower acceptance rate at 75%, but it also prioritizes accessibility, especially through its online courses, catering to lifelong learners as well as professionals with flexible academic options.
Research Impact & Facilities
Thompson Rivers University emphasizes applied research that is specific to local industries like environmental science, tourism, health, and business. Its equipment is conducive to both face-to-face and blended learning, accommodating both conventional and practical research methods.
Athabasca University is a centre of excellence in distance learning research, creating new approaches to online education delivery, digital learning tools, and open educational resources. Its research facilities are oriented toward advancing online education accessibility and effectiveness, not to conventional lab-based research.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both AU and TRU are affordable options for Canadian and international students alike, with lower tuition than many private or top-tier research universities. They provide numerous scholarships, grants, and student aid programs focused on regional, international, and online students to help enable affordability and access.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Thompson Rivers University graduates achieve good results within local employment markets, notably in business, environmental sciences, tourism, and health fields, with solid connections to local industry employers in British Columbia.
Athabasca University graduates are facilitated by the convenience of online learning and go on to find opportunities in business administration, education, health services, and information technology. A majority of its alumni are working professionals who apply the degrees to enhance their careers without having to leave work, thus making it especially well-suited for lifelong learning and career advancement.
