University of Waterloo - Rankings

The University of Waterloo is a mid-level public university, ranked #115 in the QS ranking 2025. Its rankings of #163 in THE ranking 2025 and #192 in US News ranking 2025 reflect its competitive standing.

It is considered one of the best research institutes, attracting $249.1 million from both public and private sources to fund its research initiatives. 

With diverse programs in science, engineering, and humanities, along with personalized student support such as career advice, it stands out as a go-to university for students seeking a practical, outcomes-focused education.

University of Waterloo Rankings 2024-25

The University of Waterloo ranks among the top 300 universities globally in renowned rankings like QS and THE. With a rank of #115 in QS, #163 in THE, and #192 in U.S.News, University of Waterloo is placed among mid-level universities in the world.

Here’s how the rankings for the University of Waterloo have changed over the years.

The changing trends in rankings of the University of Waterloo can be represented through the following graph:

The University of Waterloo is a respectable but not top-tier institution globally. Its QS ranking has improved in recent years, moving from #154 in 2023 to #112 in 2024, though it slightly declined to #115 in 2025. 

THE rankings showed a jump from the 201-250 range in 2023 to #158 in 2024, with a slight dip to #163 in 2025. 

Notably, Waterloo is at the #7 position (THE Rankings 2025) for best national schools in Canada, reinforcing its strong national reputation.

Now that you’ve explored the overall performance of the University of Waterloo in global rankings, let’s take a look at its performance in specific subjects.

Subject-Wise Ranking of University of Waterloo

Subject-wise rankings help students make informed decisions based on their interests. According to THE rankings, the University of Waterloo performs well in specific subjects, ranking #78 in engineering and 126-150 in business. However, it has relatively low rankings in programs like health science (#422), according to U.S. News rankings.

Here’s how the University of Waterloo’s programs perform across multiple ranking bodies:

QS Rankings

QS world rankings consider criteria such as academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, research impact, and international diversity. 

The University of Waterloo is ranked highly in engineering (#28) but fares moderately in business (151-200) and humanities (251-300).

Here are the rankings for specific subjects:

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) world university rankings consider criteria like teaching quality, research influence, and industry income. 

The University of Waterloo’s programs like Engineering (#78), Business (126-150), and Physical Sciences (126-150) ranked within the top 150. There is scope for improvement in arts and humanities programs (301-400).

Here are the rankings of the University of Waterloo for different subjects.

U.S. News Rankings

Criteria such as graduation rate, first-year retention rates, faculty resources, and research output decide the U.S. News rankings.

The University of Waterloo’s engineering program (#46) has a very good rank, while programs like art and humanities (#155) are competitive. The Health Sciences program ranks #422, which is lower compared to other programs.

Here are the rankings for different disciplines. 

The performance of the University in rankings like QS and THE for specific programs highlights its academic excellence in programs like engineering. Now, let’s explore its achievements in both academic and cultural spheres.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

The University of Waterloo also appears in global rankings like the Shanghai Rankings (151-200). 

In Canadian rankings, like Maclean’s, it consistently ranks within the top 10, showing its strong standing in the country.

Ranked #313 in the CWTS Leiden, the university's research citation is relatively limited compared to top-tier institutions. 

In the Shanghai Jiao Tong rankings, it falls in the 151-200 range, indicating that its faculty quality and publications still lag behind the top-tier institutions.

However, it shines domestically, ranking #3 in Maclean’s, highlighting its strong reputation, faculty strength, and student satisfaction within Canada.

After examining the university’s performance in various rankings, let’s explore achievements of University of Waterloo in academic and extracurriculars.

University of Waterloo: Excellence and Achievements

The University of Waterloo is not just defined by academic performance in terms of marks or rankings. It has also made a profound impact on society and the economy through its groundbreaking research, innovation, and the success of its graduates.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Its academic achievements primarily include notable accomplishments in entrepreneurship and research in fields like quantum technology.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

The University of Waterloo’s achievements in community development are primarily focused on its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthen diversity.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Cultural achievements at the University of Waterloo primarily focus on inclusivity, with events like Pride Month celebrations and strong encouragement for student cultural clubs to support community and diversity.

After reviewing the University of Waterloo’s performance in extracurriculars, let’s explore its acceptance rate across different subjects.

University of Waterloo: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

The University of Waterloo's 53% acceptance rate indicates that it is moderately selective. The engineering program, with an acceptance rate of 10.2%, is one of the most competitive in the university.

While the acceptance rate itself is not indicative of the quality of a program, it gives an idea of its competitiveness.

After checking out the variation in acceptance rates of the University of Waterloo for different programs, let’s explore the ranking methodologies in detail.

How Will upGrad Help You?

upGrad helps students and professionals enhance their academic knowledge and career growth through expert mentorship, industry-relevant courses, and flexible learning. With bridge courses focusing on foundational knowledge, you can transition to specialization in fields like AI, machine learning, and data science. 

Additionally, the study abroad program offered by upGrad provides students with the following benefits:

• Expert Mentorship: Guidance from industry professionals and academic experts who provide personalized insights to help you succeed in your field.
• Industry-Relevant Courses: Learn practical, real-world skills through up-to-date courses designed to meet the needs of today's industry trends.
• Flexible Learning Options: Online courses and flexible schedules allow you to balance your education with other commitments.
• Career Support: Receive career coaching, job placement assistance, and networking opportunities to help you land your desired role.

Here are some study abroad opportunities offered by upGrad at the University of Waterloo:

• Bachelor of Computing and Financial Management at University of Waterloo
• Bachelor of Software Engineering at University of Waterloo
• Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) at University of Waterloo

Conclusion 

The University of Waterloo is moderately ranked, with #115 in the QS Rankings, #163 in the THE Rankings, and #192 in the U.S. News rankings. However, certain programs, such as electrical engineering (ranked #28 on the QS ranking), are highly reputed.

In addition to global rankings, the CWTS Leiden ranks the University of Waterloo at #313, placing it in an intermediate range for universities. 

Some programs, like medicine (ranked #422 in U.S. News), still have room for improvement, which could contribute to a better overall standing in future rankings.

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