How long does it take?

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

University degree

Computer science

Q: How much does a computer science earn in Quebec?

Roughly $84,800 in the first years and $99,400 by year five (Quebec median, before tax). Source: Cégep fees; CCAFE 2025-26 tuition and fees; Relance université 2025 (informatique $40.75/h, 84.5% employed); IMT 21232 median $47.80/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: léger déficit.

Q: What does it cost in Quebec?

About $16,000 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $8,000. Quebec rates this a mild shortage, unlike Ontario's limited. The Relance survey is 20 months out, so first-year pay is lower than shown.

Pre-university DEC (2 years) + BSc informatique (3 years)

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

schoolschoolschoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearn

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: $452k, low to high $379k to $524k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$468k	5 years at $0 while in school, then $84,800 rising to $99,400 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$16k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$452k	the number on the card
Low to high	$379k to $524k	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 isProgramming, algorithms, math; project work; ideally two or three internships.

What actually stops peopleAdmission averages in the 90s at top programs; internships are now essential and hard to get.

The downsideEntry-level hiring has cooled sharply. Outcomes are split between graduates with internships and those without.

If you're the parentStill one of the highest-paying degrees for those who land internships. The days of a guaranteed job at graduation are over.

Local opportunities in Quebec

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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, Calculus & Vectors, English (U)
Average around 85+

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 QuebecQuebec rates this a mild shortage, unlike Ontario's limited. The Relance survey is 20 months out, so first-year pay is lower than shown.

cdn-contenu.quebec.ca · www.quebec.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for Quebec Sources: Cégep fees; CCAFE 2025-26 tuition and fees; Relance université 2025 (informatique $40.75/h, 84.5% employed); IMT 21232 median $47.80/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: léger déficit

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