How long does it take?

About 3 years, with a first real paycheque in about 3 years.

What does it cost and how much debt is typical?

About $13,300 in tuition and fees, and $16,700 of debt is typical for those who borrow.

College diploma

Computer programming

Q: How much does a computer programming earn in Ontario?

Roughly $52,000 in the first years and $75,000 by year five (Ontario median, before tax). Verified against Job Bank NOC 21232, wages Nov 2025 (median $48.08/hr, experienced), Ontario outlook 2025–27 Limited; diploma-grad start discounted to entry postings; cost = Seneca CPA 2026–27 $2,209/sem × 6; StatCan NGS 2020 college debt.

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

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

Years to credential3

First real paycheque~3 years

Time in a classroom70%

Total cost$13,300

Typical debt after$16,700

Demand in OntarioLimited

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearnearn

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: $466k, low to high $392k to $539k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$479k	3 years at $0 while in school, then $52,000 rising to $75,000 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$13k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$466k	the number on the card
Low to high	$392k to $539k	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 isCoding, testing, working in small teams. Co-op terms matter enormously.

What actually stops peopleGetting the first job; entry-level tech hiring has tightened since 2023.

The downsideEmployers increasingly expect a degree or a strong portfolio. AI tools are changing what junior developers do.

If you're the parentCheaper and faster than a CS degree, with decent pay if your child builds real projects. The market is crowded at the bottom right now.

Local opportunities in Ontario

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
Average around 65+

Deadlines in Ontario

OCAS: apply by February 1 for equal consideration; many programs stay open after
OSAP opens in spring

Next steps

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✓ Verified 2026-10-26 Sources: Job Bank NOC 21232, wages Nov 2025 (median $48.08/hr, experienced), Ontario outlook 2025–27 Limited; diploma-grad start discounted to entry postings; cost = Seneca CPA 2026–27 $2,209/sem × 6; StatCan NGS 2020 college debt

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