apples & oranges differences between college & university education in ontario
TRANSCRIPT
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 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
