Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Arts & humanities vs Early childhood education
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Early childhood education is ahead by year 10 ($316k against $267k), because it starts earning earlier. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Early childhood education gets to a real paycheque first (about 2 years). Early childhood education costs $22,500 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Early childhood education in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Arts & humanities | Early childhood education |
|---|---|---|
| Route | University degree | College diploma |
| Credential | Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Ontario College Diploma |
| Years to finish | 4 | 2 |
| First real paycheque | About 4 years | About 2 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $32,000 | $9,500 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $30,600 | $16,700 |
| Earnings, first years | $42,500 | $34,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $53,400 | $43,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $267k | $316k |
| Demand in Ontario | Limited | High |
| Time in a classroom | 85% | 55% |
Earnings by year, roughly
Before tax. Years in school show as "school". Medians rise from the starting figure to the year-5 figure, then stay flat.
Arts & humanities
A day looks like: Reading, writing, argument. Small seminars in upper years.
What stops people: None on entry. Direction has to come from the student.
Downside: Starting salaries are the lowest of any degree. Earnings catch up by mid-career for those who move into law, teaching, policy or management.
Early childhood education
A day looks like: Working with children under six in daycares and kindergartens; planning play-based learning.
What stops people: Placements require police checks and immunisation records; otherwise accessible.
Downside: Low pay ceiling despite high demand. Many leave for teaching or move into administration.
Quick answers
Which pays more, arts & humanities or early childhood education?
By year five, Arts & humanities is about $53,400 and Early childhood education about $43,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Arts & humanities nets roughly $267k and Early childhood education roughly $316k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Arts & humanities: about 4 years. Early childhood education: about 2 years.
What does each cost?
Arts & humanities: $32,000 in tuition and fees, typical debt $30,600. Early childhood education: $9,500, typical debt $16,700.
What is the downside of each?
Arts & humanities: Starting salaries are the lowest of any degree. Earnings catch up by mid-career for those who move into law, teaching, policy or management. Early childhood education: Low pay ceiling despite high demand. Many leave for teaching or move into administration.
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Figures are Ontario medians and typical costs from Job Bank, Statistics Canada, Skilled Trades Ontario and institution fee pages; the data page lists every source and date. Switch province on either pathway page for BC, Alberta or Quebec figures.