Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Life sciences (pre-health) vs Respiratory therapy
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Respiratory therapy is ahead by year 10 ($567k against $321k), because it starts earning earlier. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Respiratory therapy gets to a real paycheque first (about 3 years). Respiratory therapy costs $17,000 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Respiratory therapy in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Life sciences (pre-health) | Respiratory therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Route | University degree | College diploma |
| Credential | Bachelor of Science (BSc) | Ontario College Advanced Diploma; CRTO registration |
| Years to finish | 4 | 3 |
| First real paycheque | About 4 years | About 3 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $32,000 | $15,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $30,600 | $16,700 |
| Earnings, first years | $50,200 | $70,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $63,100 | $89,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $321k | $567k |
| Demand in Ontario | Limited | High |
| Time in a classroom | 85% | 65% |
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.
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.
Respiratory therapy
A day looks like: Running ventilators and oxygen therapy, intubations, sleep and lung testing, on hospital floors and in the ICU, after three years that are roughly half classroom and half lab and clinical.
What stops people: Admission. Far more qualified applicants than seats; apply by February 1 with strong senior science marks.
Downside: ICU and emergency work: twelve-hour shifts, nights, and some of the hardest moments in a hospital. Clinical placements can mean relocating for a semester.
Quick answers
Which pays more, life sciences (pre-health) or respiratory therapy?
By year five, Life sciences (pre-health) is about $63,100 and Respiratory therapy about $89,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Life sciences (pre-health) nets roughly $321k and Respiratory therapy roughly $567k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Life sciences (pre-health): about 4 years. Respiratory therapy: about 3 years.
What does each cost?
Life sciences (pre-health): $32,000 in tuition and fees, typical debt $30,600. Respiratory therapy: $15,000, typical debt $16,700.
What is the downside of each?
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. Respiratory therapy: ICU and emergency work: twelve-hour shifts, nights, and some of the hardest moments in a hospital. Clinical placements can mean relocating for a semester.
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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.