How long does it take?

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

What does it cost and how much debt is typical?

About $36,000 in tuition and fees, and $30,600 of debt is typical for those who borrow.

University degree

Nursing (RN)

Q: How much does a nursing (rn) earn in Ontario?

Roughly $75,000 in the first years and $83,700 by year five (Ontario median, before tax). Verified against Job Bank NOC 31301 wages Nov 2025 ($29–42–55/hr), outlook Very good; StatCan ELMLP (Table 37-10-0280), 2019 graduating cohort, median employment income 2 and 5 yrs after graduation, 2024 dollars; tuition StatCan 37-10-0003 2025-26: health (mostly nursing) $82.5k → $83.7k; nursing tuition avg $6,587/yr; NGS 2020 debt.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

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

Years to credential4

First real paycheque~4 years

Time in a classroom60%

Total cost$36,000

Typical debt after$30,600

Demand in OntarioHigh

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearn

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: $449k, low to high $371k to $525k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$485k	4 years at $0 while in school, then $75,000 rising to $83,700 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$36k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$449k	the number on the card
Low to high	$371k to $525k	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 isScience courses plus clinical placements from second year; hospital, community or specialty practice after.

What actually stops peopleCompetitive admission (high 80s) and heavy clinical hours.

The downsideShift work, understaffing and burnout are serious in Ontario hospitals right now.

If you're the parentGuaranteed employment, a pension-track public job, and options to specialise or move into management. It is a demanding four years.

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: Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Functions, English (U)
Average around 85+

Deadlines in Ontario

OUAC 101 application: mid-January for most programs; offers from February to May; accept by early June
OSAP opens in spring; apply as soon as you accept

Next steps

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✓ Verified 2026-10-26 Sources: Job Bank NOC 31301 wages Nov 2025 ($29–42–55/hr), outlook Very good; StatCan ELMLP (Table 37-10-0280), 2019 graduating cohort, median employment income 2 and 5 yrs after graduation, 2024 dollars; tuition StatCan 37-10-0003 2025-26: health (mostly nursing) $82.5k → $83.7k; nursing tuition avg $6,587/yr; NGS 2020 debt

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