University of Waterloo campus
University of Waterloo

University of Waterloo

Waterloo, ON·42k+ students·Website

Acceptance Rate

53%

Overall, across all programs

Programs

46+

Undergraduate programs

Enrollment

42k

Full-time students

Applications

64k

Per year

About University of Waterloo

Overview — University of Waterloo

University of Waterloo's overall acceptance rate is approximately 53% for 2026 undergraduate admissions. Across 46 programs tracked on Uniscope, acceptance rates span 14–64%. These figures are based on 1,000 verified applicant submissions shared directly by students on Uniscope.

The University of Waterloo is synonymous with innovation, entrepreneurship, and computer science. It operates the largest co-op program in the world and is a primary feeder school for Silicon Valley tech giants.

46+

Programs

42k+

Students

64k+

Applications/yr

🏆

Official Rankings & Standings

National Standings
Maclean's

Maclean's Reputation

Maclean's National Reputational Survey combines feedback from faculty, senior administrators, and CEOs/employers across Canada on quality and innovation.

Overall Canadian Reputation

#5
Maclean's

Maclean's Category

Reflects the ranking within the "Comprehensive" cohort, which groups Canadian universities by research activity and medical/doctoral programs.

Comprehensive Category

#3
Global Rankings
QS

QS World Ranking

QS World University Rankings measures academic reputation, employer standing, citations per faculty, and international diversity.

QS World Directory

#115
Times Higher Education

Times Higher Education

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings assesses institutions across teaching, research environment, research quality, and industry outlook.

THE World Directory

#150

Student Life — University of Waterloo

The culture is heavily focused on tech, coding, and startups. It can be academically intense. The campus is practical and sprawling, with frequent construction as it expands. 'Velocity' is a massive on-campus startup incubator.

Co-op & Careers — University of Waterloo

Waterloo is the undisputed king of co-op. Students alternate school and work terms throughout their degree, often graduating with 2 years of paid experience at companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla.

Campus & Housing — University of Waterloo

Waterloo offers a variety of residences, including university colleges (like St. Jerome's) which offer a smaller community feel within the larger university.

Browse Programs

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How We Verify Student Reports

Admissions reports are anonymously submitted by applicants in real time. To guarantee statistical integrity, we filter out duplicate entries and severe statistical outliers automatically.

Report a suspicious entry

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Waterloo?

The overall acceptance rate at University of Waterloo is approximately 53%. Rates vary significantly by program, so check individual program pages for competitive averages.

What are the most competitive programs at University of Waterloo?

The most competitive programs at University of Waterloo by acceptance rate are Business Administration (Laurier) and Computer Science (Waterloo) Double Degree (Co-op Only) (~14%), Computer Science (Regular/Co-op) (~14%), Computing and Financial Management (Co-op Only) (~14%).

How many undergraduate programs does University of Waterloo offer?

University of Waterloo offers over 46 undergraduate programs.

How many students attend University of Waterloo?

University of Waterloo has approximately 42,000 full-time students enrolled.

Where is University of Waterloo located?

University of Waterloo is located in Waterloo, ON.