Three Routes Start
University degree

Arts & humanities

BA (Arts and Humanities)

21 of 30 verified for Alberta; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Trades are 3 to 4 periods at NAIT or SAIT; RAP lets high-school students start. Numbers from ALIS (Alberta wage survey and outlook), NAIT, SAIT and the University of Alberta.
Years to credential4
First real paycheque~4 years
Time in a classroom85%
Total cost$35,152
Typical debt after$26,752
Demand in AlbertaLimited

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$343k4 years at $0 while in school, then $45,800 rising to $62,900 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$35ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$308kthe number on the card
Low to high$251k to $363kpay 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 Alberta 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 Alberta

Ready to explore this for real?

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 Alberta
  • ApplyAlberta: U of A and U of C early admission from October; most deadlines March 1
  • Alberta Student Aid opens in spring

Next steps in Alberta

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

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In AlbertaDemand is an estimate (no single occupation).
www.ualberta.ca

◐ Partly verified U of A standard tuition and fees 2026-27; Alberta Advanced Education graduate earnings report

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