Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Arts & humanities vs Life sciences (pre-health)
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Life sciences (pre-health) is ahead by year 10 ($321k 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.
| Measure | Arts & humanities | Life sciences (pre-health) |
|---|---|---|
| Route | University degree | University degree |
| Credential | Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Bachelor of Science (BSc) |
| Years to finish | 4 | 4 |
| First real paycheque | About 4 years | About 4 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $32,000 | $32,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $30,600 | $30,600 |
| Earnings, first years | $42,500 | $50,200 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $53,400 | $63,100 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $267k | $321k |
| Demand in Ontario | Limited | Limited |
| Time in a classroom | 85% | 85% |
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.
Life sciences (pre-health)
A day looks like: Biology, chemistry and stats; large lecture halls; research opportunities if you seek them out.
What stops people: Getting in is fine. Getting into medicine, dentistry or pharmacy afterwards is the real filter, and most don't.
Downside: On its own, the degree leads to lab-tech or sales roles at modest pay. It is a stepping stone, and the step is steep.
Quick answers
Which pays more, arts & humanities or life sciences (pre-health)?
By year five, Arts & humanities is about $53,400 and Life sciences (pre-health) about $63,100 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Arts & humanities nets roughly $267k and Life sciences (pre-health) roughly $321k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Arts & humanities: about 4 years. Life sciences (pre-health): about 4 years.
What does each cost?
Arts & humanities: $32,000 in tuition and fees, typical debt $30,600. Life sciences (pre-health): $32,000, 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. Life sciences (pre-health): On its own, the degree leads to lab-tech or sales roles at modest pay. It is a stepping stone, and the step is steep.
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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.