Rankings and reputation

A Bachelor of Science degree student holds a turtle shell while sitting in a lab

Students from across Canada and around the world choose Waterloo each year because of our reputation as one of North America's top universities.

Many of our undergraduate programs (for high school and transfer students) and our graduate programs rank among the best in the world.

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024

Waterloo ranks among the top 50 in the world in these areas.

  • Computer science and engineering (43rd)
  • Electrical and electronic engineering (28th)
  • Energy science and engineering* (44th)
  • Environmental science and engineering (36th)
  • Hospitality and tourism management* (13th)

* ranked #1 in Canada

  • Physics* (38th)
  • Remote sensing* (16th)
  • Telecommunications engineering (15th)
  • Water resources* (24th)

Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland smiling at camera

 

Nobel Prize in Physics

Physics and Astronomy professor Donna Strickland earned a Nobel Prize in Physics for her breakthrough work on chirped pulse amplification in lasers which helped develop technology such as eye surgery, laser printers, and scanners used in retail stores.

Dr. Strickland became only the third woman in history to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Subjects where Waterloo ranks in the top five in Canada

  • Architecture / built environment
  • Chemical engineering
  • Civil and structural engineering
  • Computer science
  • Electrical and electronic engineering
  • Environmental sciences
  • Geography
  • Material Science
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Physics and astronomy
  • Statistics
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A community focused on education

With more than 50,000 university and college students, one of the youngest populations in Canada, and internationally-recognized think tanks, Waterloo Region is a great place to study and live.