How much does a business / commerce earn in British Columbia?

Roughly $53,330 in the first years and $83,200 by year five (BC median, before tax). Source: WorkBC NOC 11100 accountants (Job Bank BC wages 2025, High Opportunity); UBC 2026/27 domestic Commerce tuition.

What does it cost in BC?

About $40,400 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $24,000. UBC Sauder is the expensive route (~$9,200/yr after year 1); SFU BBA is roughly $7,000/yr.

How long does it take?

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

University degree

Business / commerce

BCom (UBC Sauder) / BBA (SFU Beedie)

Numbers for 24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify

Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.

Years to credential4

First real paycheque~4 years

Time in a classroom80%

Total cost$40,400

Typical debt after$24,000

Demand in BCHigh

The first ten years

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Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

British Columbia median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $394k, low to high $323k to $463k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$434k	4 years at $0 while in school, then $53,330 rising to $83,200 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$40k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$394k	the number on the card
Low to high	$323k to $463k	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 British Columbia 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 British Columbia

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

Deadlines in BC

EducationPlannerBC: most deadlines January 15 to March 15; some programs rolling
StudentAid BC opens in spring

Next steps in British Columbia

Save or share this pathway

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In British ColumbiaUBC Sauder is the expensive route (~$9,200/yr after year 1); SFU BBA is roughly $7,000/yr.

www.workbc.ca · students.ubc.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 11100 accountants (Job Bank BC wages 2025, High Opportunity); UBC 2026/27 domestic Commerce tuition

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