How long does it take?

About 6 years, first real paycheque in about 6 years.

University degree

Engineering

Q: How much does a engineering earn in Quebec?

Roughly $76,300 in the first years and $91,400 by year five (Quebec median, before tax). Source: Cégep fees; CCAFE 2025-26 tuition $100.89/credit (~$3,027/yr) plus ~$1,162 fees; Relance université 2025 (mechanical $36.66/h); IMT 21301 median $43.92/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: léger déficit.

Q: What does it cost in Quebec?

About $21,000 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $10,000. Six years from Grade 11 (Quebec ends high school at Secondary 5). Debt assumes half self-funded; AFE bursaries average $7,300. Paid co-op stages are common.

Pre-university DEC (2 years) + Baccalauréat en génie (4 years, Polytechnique/ÉTS/Laval), ing. jr via OIQ

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 credential6

First real paycheque~6 years

Time in a classroom80%

Total cost$21,000

Typical debt after$10,000

Demand in QuebecHigh

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolschoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearn

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: $314k, low to high $261k to $367k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$335k	6 years at $0 while in school, then $76,300 rising to $91,400 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$21k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$314k	the number on the card
Low to high	$261k to $367k	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 isHeavy math and labs for four years; co-op terms in industry. Specialise in second year.

What actually stops peopleAdmission averages of 88–95 at the major schools, and a brutal first year.

The downsideFive years if you do co-op, which you should. High tuition. Roughly a fifth of students switch out after first year.

If you're the parentThe traditional safe choice, and it still delivers: strong pay, licensure, and mobility. It costs the most and takes the longest to pay off.

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, Physics, Chemistry, 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 QuebecSix years from Grade 11 (Quebec ends high school at Secondary 5). Debt assumes half self-funded; AFE bursaries average $7,300. Paid co-op stages are common.

cdn-contenu.quebec.ca · www.quebec.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for Quebec Sources: Cégep fees; CCAFE 2025-26 tuition $100.89/credit (~$3,027/yr) plus ~$1,162 fees; Relance université 2025 (mechanical $36.66/h); IMT 21301 median $43.92/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: léger déficit

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