What does it cost in Quebec?

About $16,000 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $8,000. Year-5 is an estimate. Relance pay is 20 months out, so first-year pay is lower.

How long does it take?

About 5 years, first real paycheque in about 5 years.

University degree

Business / commerce

Q: How much does a business / commerce earn in Quebec?

Roughly $73,500 in the first years and $85,000 by year five (Quebec median, before tax). Source: Cégep fees; CCAFE 2025-26 tuition and fees; Relance université 2025 (administration $35.32/h, 83.3% employed); HEC graduate statistics; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029 accountants and HR: léger déficit.

Pre-university DEC (2 years) + BAA / BCom (3 years, HEC/Laval/UQAM/Concordia/McGill)

Numbers for 22 of 30 verified for Quebec; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify

Quebec works differently: trades are a nearly free DEP then a CCQ apprenticeship; college is a 3-year DEC at a cégep (tuition-free for residents); university is 3 years after a 2-year pre-university DEC. Numbers from IMT en ligne, CCQ, FIQ scales and the Relance surveys.

Years to credential5

First real paycheque~5 years

Time in a classroom80%

Total cost$16,000

Typical debt after$8,000

Demand in QuebecHigh

The first ten years

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Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

Quebec median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $386k, low to high $323k to $448k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$402k	5 years at $0 while in school, then $73,500 rising to $85,000 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$16k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$386k	the number on the card
Low to high	$323k to $448k	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 Quebec 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 Quebec

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 Quebec

Université applications: March 1 for fall (McGill January 15); cégep DEC required for Quebec students
AFE (Aide financière aux études) in spring

Next steps in Quebec

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In QuebecYear-5 is an estimate. Relance pay is 20 months out, so first-year pay is lower.

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◐ Partly verified Cégep fees; CCAFE 2025-26 tuition and fees; Relance université 2025 (administration $35.32/h, 83.3% employed); HEC graduate statistics; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029 accountants and HR: léger déficit

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