University of Guelph vs University of Waterloo

University of Guelph is a public research university which is ranked among top 600 global universities and University of Waterloo is a public research university which is ranked among top 200 global universities. 

Overview Comparison
University of GuelphUniversity of Waterloo
Collegedunia Score4.2 Out of 105.3 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 401 Times Higher Education 2026
# 504 QS World University 2026
# 401 Times Higher Education 2025
# 119 QS World University 2026
# 162 Times Higher Education 2026
# 115 QS World University 2025
Subject Strength# 301 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 551 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 47 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 34 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 251 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -44
PG Programs -33
Doctorate Programs -8
UG Programs -45
PG Programs -33
Doctorate Programs -5
Acceptance Rate66.0 %53.0 %
Exam ScoreDuolingo-120
IELTS-6.5
PTE-60
TOEFL-89
IELTS-6.5
PTE-63
TOEFL-90
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   29169
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  10256
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 28270 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   66000
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  11790
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 20583 Per Year
placement (average package)

Average Annual Salary: 42,000 USD; Top paying degrees are BS: 80,000 USD; Bachelors: 56,000 USD; BA: 52,000 USD; Other degrees: 59,000 USD


Graduate Employability Rankings- # 24(QS 2023); 98.9% international student employment rate; Top recruiters are Manulife, TD Canada, Sun Life Financial Inc. etc. 

Average Salaries by Degree:

  • Doctorate: $156,000 
  • Masters in Finance: $91,000 
  • Bachelor (Other): $75,000 
  • Bachelor of Science: $69,000 
  • Masters in Science: $61,000 
  • Masters in Management: $54,000 

application requirements

Passed Class 12 with the first division for UG admission; Work experience required for MBA, masters in neuroscience and engineering

Indian UG aspirants must have around 85% score with 75% in English and Maths. Fulfill Country-specific requirements

Campuses and B-SchoolsUniversity of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
University of Guelph, Humber Campus
NA
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 25 reviews7.8/10 Read 57 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 301 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 651 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
# 33 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
# 43 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
application--
exam scoresDuolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 89/120IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 63/90TOEFL - 93/120
application datesNov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline for Spring 2026 Intake)
Jun 1, 2026 (Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
Aug 1, 2026 (Application Deadline for Winter 2027 Intake)
Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For May 2026 Intake)
Dec 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of GuelphUniversity of Waterloo
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1964
1957
Student:Faculty Ratio:1
27:1
Male:Female59% Male, 0% Female54% Male, 46% Female
Location Facts

Main campus is located in Guelph and has an arboretum and research park; one satellite campus is located in Humber


1,000 acres campus located in the Quantum Valley (Canada’s emerging technological hub); surrounded at the borders by Waterloo Park, Wilfrid Laurier University & Laurel Creek Conservation Area; easily accessible via public transport; dozens of food outlets & restaurants within 20 minutes of distance. 


Library

1.25 million paperbacks, 350,000 e-books, 13,000 cookbooks in culinary collection, 65,000 electronic journals, 280 electronic databases, 7 million volumes shared with tri-university libraries catalogue


4 libraries: 3 on-campus, 1 in Cambridge; Library system is a part of TriUniversity Group; Houses more than 1.4 million books including e-books, serial titles, databases. 


Campus Life

More than 200 clubs and organizations; All undergraduate students are members of the Central Student Association and get a bus pass, health plan, access to university’s coffee pub, Sunday cinema, concerts, shows, etc; 17 types of dining facilities are located across the campus


Student Life Centre (SLC) responsible for organizing cultural, social and recreational activities; Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and Student Housing Office; 24/7 information desk known as Turnkey Desk; 200+ student clubs; 100+ volunteer services; Earth Sciences Museum; Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Center (largest center for Quantum Research)


Hostel#Housing - $25200
#Double Room - $3677
#Interconnecting Room - $3912
#Single Room - $4099
Famous Alumni

Allan Armitage (author); Rupan Bal (Canadian YouTuber); Chris Banks (poet); Laura Bertram (actress); Mark Bourrie (lawyer and journalist); Anne Croy (immunologist); Michael Grimes (first Professor of Microbiology at University College Cork); Zoe Whittall (novelist); Goerge Atkins (broadcaster); Roberta Bondar (Canada’s first female astronaut)


Over 203,000 graduates; Robert Mundell (Nobel Laureate), Donna Strickland (Nobel Laureate), Mike Lazaridis (Founder of BlackBerry Ltd.), Prem Watsa (Founder of Fairfax Financial); Rupi Kaur (Canadian Poet); Karl Ting (Actor); Apoorva Mehta (Founder of Instacart); David Cheriton (Canadian Computer Scientist).


City Life

Guelph is located in southwestern Ontario; Unemployment rate was 1.9% in January 2019; Major industries are manufacturing, agriculture, food innovation, environmental management, and technology; Popular tourist attractions are banks of Speed River, McCrae House, Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate Church, etc


Waterloo- Tech-hub of Canada; over 1,000 tech-related businesses set up in the city; over 400 restaurants and shops to explore; More than 40 cultural events; Famous attractions include Waterloo Park, West Montrose Covered Bridge, Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo Central Railway, Conestoga Mall, Innocente Brewing Company; Unemployment rate: 5%


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