Apples & Oranges Differences Between College & University Education in Ontario.

Apples & Oranges

Differences Between College & University

Education in Ontario

Which is better?

Why?

A College Education

A University Education

Both are good.

Your choice should depend on your career of

interest.

Curriculum

College• Program offerings are in direct

response to continually shifting labour market demands.

• Curriculum is based on the skills required for a particular job: this information comes directly from employers (*PACs)

University• Program offerings are selected

based on student interest with little or no direct correlation to labour market demand.

• Curriculum is broad & meant for theoretical knowledge in

subject areas (like Liberal Arts)

Learning StyleCollege

• Students have close to 50/50 mix of theory & practical experience in labs, internships & co-ops.

• Given skills to prepare for direct entry into a career.

• Professors are industry experts.

University• The majority of classes

structured much like high school (classroom).

• The lessons are based on theory in a general field, and provide a theoretical understanding of a given topic.

• Professors are academic scholars plus T.A. (teaching assistants)

Time in School

College1 to 4 years

1 year = Certificate

2 years = Diploma

3 years = Advanced Diploma

4 years = Bachelor Degree

2-5 years = Apprenticeship

University4 to 10 years

4 years = Undergraduate Bachelor Degree

+1 year = Teacher’s College

+2 years = Master’s Degree

+2 years = Doctorate Degree

+3 years = Med. Internship

Average Costs of Learning

College• Diplomas $3000 -

$14,000/yr

• Applied Degrees $5,500+/yr

• Joint programs college/university$5,500+/yr

• Post-Graduate $2,500 - $14,000/yr

University• Degrees (undergrad)

$5700+/yr

• Graduate $6,000+/yr

• Doctor/Dentist

$10,000 - $14,000/yr

• Executive MBA

$25,000+/yrSource:Ontario Colleges: An Overview. Retrieved Feb.5, 2009 from www.collegesontario.org/client/collegesontario/colleges_ontario_lp4w_lnd_webstation.nsf/page/Fast+Sheets+News2?OpenDocument

Source:Stats Canada. (October 20, 2009). University Tuition Fees. Retrieved Nov 11, 2009 from www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/081009/dq081009a-eng.htm

Is it harder to get into

college or university?

Admission RequirementsCollege

• OSSD

• C/U level courses for diplomas; U/M level courses for degrees

• 70% to 95% averages needed

• Supplemental requirements

• Some programs (nursing, dental) look for top academic grades

• Smaller intakes = smaller class

size for many courses

University

• OSSD

• U/M level courses

• 70% to 95% averages needed

• Supplemental requirements

• Some programs (med/law school) look for top academic grades

• Bigger intakes = big lectures for many courses

Pathways…

Career

ApprenticeshipsCollege University

High School

Pathways: so many choices!

Career

Apprenticeships

College UniversityApprenticeships

High School

Career

Apprenticeships

College UniversityApprenticeships

High School

All pathways lead to careers!

Where do you go for training?

Colleges don’t offer all program areas of study

Universities don’t offer all program areas of study

Emergency Services

Culinary/ Hospitality

Health/DentalSkilled Trades

Graphic / Game Design

Accounting

Lawyer

Doctor/ Dentist Civil

Engineer

Architect/ Urban Planner

Teacher

Nursing

Computer/ Software Engineer

Pathways to University…in Ontario

Pathways to University…in Canada & the US

Pathways to University…in other countries

1990 1995 2000 2005 2008

50

0

100

200

150

250

Employment Growth in Ontario

by Level of Education (1990 to 2008)

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey (as of October 2008)

THE FACTS ABOUT APPLES & ORANGES: Jobs are requiring more education than in previous generations.

Between 1990 and 2008:

• Jobs requiring university education more than doubled!

• Jobs requiring college education continues to increase.

• No high school = less jobs (and usually, less pay).

University

College

Less than High School

High School

This is where you want to be!

• 24 public colleges

• Most programs are aligned to jobs market

• Skills & theory-based learning

• 1 - 4 years

• $2,300+ (average per year)

www.ontariocolleges.ca

• 21 public universities

• Most programs are General Arts & Science based

• Subject & theory-based learning

• 4 -10 years

• $4,900+ (average per year)

www.electronicinfo.ca

Summary Colleges University

My final advice to you:• Remember apples and oranges are both good for you.

• Research should make your post-secondary selection easier.

• Try not to get stressed out…you’ll go…

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

Thanks and Good Luck!

Cynthia McDonaghLiaison [email protected]