Canadians Question Value of Degrees as Costs Rise and Job Market Shifts

A recent survey reveals that nearly two in five Canadians, or 39%, are uncertain about whether a diploma or degree is worth the associated costs, time, and effort. Commissioned by CourseCompare in collaboration with Ipsos, the findings shed light on growing skepticism regarding the value of post-secondary education across the country.

Confidence in the benefits of higher education varies significantly by region. Residents of Ontario and Quebec exhibit the strongest belief in the value of diplomas and degrees, while skepticism is notably higher in Alberta and British Columbia. Over half of Atlantic Canadians also express uncertainty about the worth of their education. The generational divide is stark; 46% of Generation Z respondents are unsure of the value of post-secondary education, contrasting with 54% of Baby Boomers who express confidence in their educational investments.

Interestingly, graduates themselves tend to view their education positively. Approximately 67% of university graduates assert that their education was definitely worth it, while only 10% feel it was not worth the investment. This indicates that the perception gap regarding educational value is more pronounced before or during studies rather than following graduation.

The growing uncertainty highlighted in the survey aligns with findings from the 2025 Return on Education (ROE) Index, which ranks diplomas and degrees based on how quickly graduates can recover their educational investments. This first-of-its-kind national benchmark in Canada analyzes factors such as tuition fees, debt levels, program duration, and early career earnings. The Index reveals that many educational programs provide quicker and more measurable returns than Canadians might believe.

“Every Canadian deserves to know if their education will pay off,” stated Robert Furtado, founder and CEO of CourseCompare. “Understanding the likely return on a diploma or degree is as essential as knowing the interest rate on a mortgage—yet in Canada, that data is still largely out of reach.”

Key findings from the 2025 ROE Index indicate that CourseCompare evaluated the performance of 20 of Canada’s most popular diplomas and bachelor’s degrees. The evaluation utilized a weighted formula that compares each program’s ROE score against a baseline of 100. Scores exceeding 100 indicate above-average short-term returns, while those below this threshold suggest below-average performance.

Unlike the United States, where program-level return on investment (ROI) data is publicly accessible, Canada lacks a comprehensive view of the timeframe required for graduates to repay their educational expenses. “Debt, tuition, and earnings data exist, but they’re fragmented across provinces. Only the federal government can bring them together—and until it does, students and families will be left guessing,” Furtado explained.

Youth unemployment in Canada has escalated to a nine-year high, with Ontario being one of the provinces most affected. Concurrently, advancements in artificial intelligence and automation may require 14% of employees globally to switch careers by 2030. Rising costs associated with tuition, housing, and living expenses are extending the average student debt repayment period to nearly a decade, and even longer for those burdened with higher debt or lower incomes.

Public confidence in higher education is dwindling amid concerns about affordability and alignment with job-market needs. Consequently, more Canadians are evaluating educational programs based on their financial returns, opting for quicker paths to stable employment, or seeking to reskill to enhance their earning potential.

The full ROE Index, which includes an interactive tool for exploring costs, payback timelines, and rankings by field, is now available at CourseCompare.ca/ROE-Index. Visitors can also access CourseCompare’s comprehensive program and course catalogues, directly connecting with admissions teams across Canada in over 150 in-demand disciplines, which range from artificial intelligence and computer science to nursing, construction, and early childhood education.

CourseCompare serves as Canada’s marketplace for education, trusted by millions to discover top-rated schools and relevant programs supported by authentic employment data and verified student reviews. Since its establishment in 2018, CourseCompare has assisted more than 5 million learners in acquiring in-demand skills, unlocked over $50 million in scholarships and financial aid, and collaborated with over 100 accredited institutions across Canada.