How long does it take?

About 4 years, with a first real paycheque in about 4 years.

What does it cost and how much debt is typical?

About $32,000 in tuition and fees, and $30,600 of debt is typical for those who borrow.

University degree

Arts & humanities

Q: How much does a arts & humanities earn in Ontario?

Roughly $42,500 in the first years and $53,400 by year five (Ontario median, before tax). Verified against StatCan ELMLP (Table 37-10-0280), 2019 graduating cohort, median employment income 2 and 5 yrs after graduation, 2024 dollars; tuition StatCan 37-10-0003 2025-26: humanities $42.5k → $53.4k; avg tuition $6,363/yr (Ontario $5,982–6,250); NGS 2020 debt.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Numbers for 33 of 52 pathways verified, the rest partly · How we verify

Years to credential4

First real paycheque~4 years

Time in a classroom85%

Total cost$32,000

Typical debt after$30,600

Demand in OntarioLimited

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearn

Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

Ontario median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $267k, low to high $217k to $315k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$299k	4 years at $0 while in school, then $42,500 rising to $53,400 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$32k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$267k	the number on the card
Low to high	$217k to $315k	pay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the Ontario median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isReading, writing, argument. Small seminars in upper years.

What actually stops peopleNone on entry. Direction has to come from the student.

The downsideStarting salaries are the lowest of any degree. Earnings catch up by mid-career for those who move into law, teaching, policy or management.

If you're the parentNot a waste, but not a job either. It works best with a clear next step in mind: law school, teacher's college, a professional certificate.

Local opportunities in Ontario

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Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

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How to enter

What you need

Courses: English (U)
Average around 65+

Deadlines in Ontario

OUAC 101 application: mid-January for most programs; offers from February to May; accept by early June
OSAP opens in spring; apply as soon as you accept

Next steps

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✓ Verified 2026-10-26 Sources: StatCan ELMLP (Table 37-10-0280), 2019 graduating cohort, median employment income 2 and 5 yrs after graduation, 2024 dollars; tuition StatCan 37-10-0003 2025-26: humanities $42.5k → $53.4k; avg tuition $6,363/yr (Ontario $5,982–6,250); NGS 2020 debt

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