University of Waterloo

​​The University of Waterloo might be known for its science and engineering programs, but it offers more than 100 undergraduate programs across six faculties: arts, engineering, environment, health, math and science. The school’s 1,000-acre main campus, with a recently expanded student centre and athletics complex, is enclosed by a ring road, while the southwest campus is home to Laurel Creek and Laurel Lake. Two campuses in nearby Cambridge and Kitchener are dedicated to the architecture and pharmacy programs, respectively. A campus in Stratford, focusing on digital media and interaction design, features an ultra-modern building near the downtown. The University of Waterloo is a research magnet—the Pearl Sullivan Engineering building is home to biomedical and mechatronics engineering programs, as well as one of the largest robotics and automation research groups in the country. Velocity is one of the world’s most productive startup incubators, and founders from Waterloo have raised $19 billion in venture capital. The new Future Cities Institute brings together a global network of interdisciplinary researchers, leaders and practitioners to develop new tools and approaches for building healthy, prosperous and sustainable cities. The Science Innovation Hub links science and business, providing research facilities that include a prototyping lab. The school is also home to North America’s largest co-op program, with roughly 26,000 co-op students working at more than 8,000 employers in more than 70 countries every year. “The University of Waterloo prepares the leaders of tomorrow through a unique blend of academic excellence, career-building opportunities and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” says president Vivek Goel.

Campus buzz: At the annual Hack the North hackathon in September of 2025, participants broke the record for most people building Lego-like structures in a building.

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees) $7,778 ($8,744 out-of-province students)

Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 85% | Science: 80% | Commerce: 80%-87% | Engineering: 85%

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 34,230 |Part-time: 1,182
Graduates: Full-time: 4,628 | Part-time: 1,404
International Students: First-year: 11.6% | Graduate: 44.5%

Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 6,755 (guaranteed for first-years) 
Cost of double room: $7,572
Cost of a single room: $8,440
Cost of double room with meals: $14,292 to $16,564
Cost of single room with meals: $15,150 to $17,432
Cost of apartment-style: $7,952 to $8,048

Standout programs

Science and Aviation: Students earn a bachelor of science and a commercial pilot licence, graduating with more than 200 flight hours. 

Information Technology Management: This program bridges the gap between technology and business. Students learn to use technology to solve complex business problems, and get two years of paid co-op experience.

Public Health: Students learn how to battle infectious diseases, write health policies, decipher life-saving research and examine inequities in health systems. 

Reputation

Ranked #3 (Comprehensive) among faculty members and hiring managers in the 2025 reputation survey, powered by Angus Reid Group.