How come for engineering and CS, UToronto has better rankings than UWaterloo, even though waterloo is more talked about?
Rankings are different from different publishers (See below). Also, rankings change every year.
- UofT before UW (http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2015/computer-science-information-systems#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search=)
- UW ahead of UofT (http://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/computer-science?page=2)
Why UW is more talked about? Because of its Co-op program.
Advantages of UW’s Co-op program:
- Helped UW to build stronger relationship with engineering and Tech companies by providing them cheap interns
- Co-op gives an opportunity to companies as well as to students to network
- Most students receive their full-time offers while on co-op
- Students with industry experience through co-op are more in demand
- Co-op pays $$$ towards your educational loans
TL;DR: Both, UofT and UW are excellent engineering and CS schools. UW is more popular among employers (especially in North American Tech companies) but UofT is much bigger global brand and has stronger research programs with more funding.