Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Arts & humanities vs Engineering
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Engineering is ahead by year 10 ($486k against $267k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Arts & humanities costs $20,000 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Engineering in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Arts & humanities | Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Route | University degree | University degree |
| Credential | Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) |
| Years to finish | 4 | 4 |
| First real paycheque | About 4 years | About 4 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $32,000 | $52,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $30,600 | $30,600 |
| Earnings, first years | $42,500 | $79,100 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $53,400 | $95,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $267k | $486k |
| Demand in Ontario | Limited | High |
| Time in a classroom | 85% | 80% |
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.
Engineering
A day looks like: Heavy math and labs for four years; co-op terms in industry. Specialise in second year.
What stops people: Admission averages of 88–95 at the major schools, and a brutal first year.
Downside: Five years if you do co-op, which you should. High tuition. Roughly a fifth of students switch out after first year.
Quick answers
Which pays more, arts & humanities or engineering?
By year five, Arts & humanities is about $53,400 and Engineering about $95,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Arts & humanities nets roughly $267k and Engineering roughly $486k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Arts & humanities: about 4 years. Engineering: about 4 years.
What does each cost?
Arts & humanities: $32,000 in tuition and fees, typical debt $30,600. Engineering: $52,000, typical debt $30,600.
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. Engineering: Five years if you do co-op, which you should. High tuition. Roughly a fifth of students switch out after first year.
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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.