How much does a business / commerce earn in Alberta?

Roughly $66,700 in the first years and $98,400 by year five (Alberta median, before tax). Source: U of A Business tuition $1,152/course 2026-27; Alberta Advanced Education graduate earnings report.

What does it cost in Alberta?

About $43,600 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $35,200. Earnings from Alberta graduate-outcomes data (oil-boom cohorts may overstate).

How long does it take?

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

University degree

Business / commerce

BCom (U of A / U of C Haskayne)

Numbers for 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 classroom80%

Total cost$43,600

Typical debt after$35,200

Demand in AlbertaSteady

The first ten years

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Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

Alberta median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $483k, low to high $398k to $567k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$527k	4 years at $0 while in school, then $66,700 rising to $98,400 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$44k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$483k	the number on the card
Low to high	$398k to $567k	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 Alberta median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isAccounting, finance, marketing; case competitions; networking is a core skill.

What actually stops peoplePrestige matters more here than in most degrees; the top programs are very selective.

The downsideCrowded entry-level market. Outcomes depend heavily on co-op and the school's brand.

If you're the parentFlexible and widely respected, but not a guaranteed job. The CPA route through it is the most reliable path.

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.

Check my readiness

How to enter

What you need

Courses: Advanced Functions, English (U)
Average around 75+

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

Save or share this pathway

Email it to yourself or someone who should see it.

In AlbertaEarnings from Alberta graduate-outcomes data (oil-boom cohorts may overstate).

www.ualberta.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for Alberta Sources: U of A Business tuition $1,152/course 2026-27; Alberta Advanced Education graduate earnings report

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