Comparison
University of Toronto vs University of Waterloo
MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science) · Toronto, ON vs MMath Data Science · Waterloo, ON
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: University of Waterloo (MMath Data Science) is the cheaper program overall, University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science)) reports the higher starting salary, and University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science)) pays back fastest against the standard ₹8L India baseline. University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science))currently has the stronger post-study work / visa pathway. No single program wins on everything - which one is actually "better" depends on your budget, priority (salary vs. migration vs. affordability), and your own admit odds.
| University of Toronto | University of Waterloo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada | Canada |
| City | Toronto, ON | Waterloo, ON |
| Duration | 16 months | 24 months |
| Total cost | ₹50.5L | ₹48.0L |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹63.9L/yr | ₹61.8L/yr |
| Payback period | 0.9 yrs | 0.9 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Strong |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 3.1 |
| Test requirement | TOEFL 93+ (no section below 22) | GRE not required |
| Consultant-oversold flag | No | No |
University of Toronto: the honest note
16-month industry-oriented program with a corporate-partner internship. PGWP of up to 3 years for eligible master's grads.
University of Waterloo: the honest note
Strong co-op and tech-recruiting culture; PGWP up to 3 years supports a solid migration pathway.
How payback is calculated
Payback = total program cost ÷ (starting salary abroad − ₹8,00,000 India baseline). The baseline rises for IIT/NIT-class graduates, which lengthens payback for those students on both programs above. Full formula and worked example in the payback period guide.
Sources
University of Toronto: Tuition & requirements: mscac.utoronto.ca · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: IRCC Post-Graduation Work Permit policy, canada.ca
University of Waterloo: Tuition & living costs: uwaterloo.ca/data-science · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: IRCC Post-Graduation Work Permit policy, canada.ca
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