University of Ottawa vs University of Waterloo

University of Ottawa is a public research university located at Ottawa, Canada and ranks among top 200 universities globally. University of Waterloo is also a public research university that ranks among the top 200 universities globally. 

Overview Comparison
University of OttawaUniversity of Waterloo
Collegedunia Score4.7 Out of 105.3 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 187 Times Higher Education 2026
# 219 QS World University 2026
# 189 QS World University 2025
# 119 QS World University 2026
# 162 Times Higher Education 2026
# 115 QS World University 2025
Subject Strength# 273 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 124 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 69 for Law by Times Higher Education 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 -67
PG Programs -53
Doctorate Programs -11
UG Programs -45
PG Programs -33
Doctorate Programs -5
Acceptance Rate80.0 %53.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-550
IELTS-6.5
PTE-60
TOEFL-100
IELTS-6.5
PTE-63
TOEFL-90
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   43306
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  19102
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 52441 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   66000
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  11790
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 20583 Per Year
placement (average package)

Ranked #237 in QS World University Rankings

University of Ottawa Graduates & Alumni Salaries - By  Degree

  • MBA : $105,000 
  • Other Degree: $64,000 
  • Bachelor (Other) : $62,000 
  • Masters in Science : $56,000 
  • Bachelor of Science : $55,000 
  • Bachelor of Arts : $42,000 

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

UG applicants must have 70% minimum score.
PG applicants must have a grade of B (60-70%). 

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

Campuses and B-SchoolsTelfer School of Management
NA
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 38 reviews7.8/10 Read 57 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 201 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 251 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 scoresIELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 63/90TOEFL - 93/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesApr 30, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake)
Feb 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 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)
ranking# 201 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 251 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
# 34 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
application--
exam scoresIELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 100/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesApr 30, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake)
Feb 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Jul 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For May 2026 Intake)
Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of OttawaUniversity of Waterloo
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1848
1957
Student:Faculty Ratio10:1:1
27:1
Male:Female40% Male, 60% Female54% Male, 46% Female
Location Facts

Located in the residential area of Sandy Hills
Rideau Canal of the city is located near
Parliament hill is at walking distance


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

844 databases, 20,000 digitized French books, Institutional repository contains 24,0000 items with 13,000 theses.
Print books- 2,425,715
E-journals- 74,414
Microforms- 1,933,215
Government publications- 1,023,632


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

45 Intramural leagues
175 different clubs and groups to join
Museum of classical antiques
Comedy nights at Cafe Nostalgica
Various arts, music and sports festivals. 
on-campus free movie screenings
University’s Got Talent, fund raiser competition
 


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#Studio (double occupancy) - $10049
#Suite (2 single occupancy bedrooms) - $12850
#Apartment (4-bedroom apartments) - $14714
#Traditional (double occupancy bedrooms) - $8278
#Double Room - $3677
#Interconnecting Room - $3912
#Single Room - $4099
Famous Alumni

A community with 180,000 Alumni
Alex Trebek (TV host), Andrew Scheer (Canadian MP), Peggy Tseng (Model), Paul Martin (former Canadian Prime Minister), Felix Leclerc (singer/song writer), Carol Sheilds (Pulitzer Winner).


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

Ottawa is one of the affordable cities in Canada considered the heart of Canadian political life. It is a bilingual city architectural beauties like Spark street and Wellington street. Byward Market and Elgin Street are renowned for offering best dining out experiences. The nightlife is fun and relaxed. Festivals like Winterlude, Irish Week, and Bluesfest are most celebrated. Unemployment rate for May 2020- 9.5%. 


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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