University students are facing increasing financial pressures as tuition and rent prices rise, coupled with low employment opportunities for young people.
High Costs of Education
Aliyah Ehwaniyk, a first-year business student at the University of Calgary, reports that her total expenses for the year will approach $20,000. This figure includes her tuition, room and board, and a meal plan, but does not account for social activities or textbooks. “It’s hard to think about. I haven’t fully processed it yet,” she shared. While her parents are helping her with costs during her first year, she knows she’ll have to manage on her own afterward. “I realize it will be a significant commitment to pay for everything,” she said.
Student Loans and Job Hunting
Naomi Zinn, another first-year student studying education, moved from Burlington, Ontario, and received $10,000 from her parents. After that, she will need to cover her remaining expenses independently. “I’ve already taken out student loans,” Zinn mentioned. “I just have to get a job and hope for the best.”
With youth unemployment in Canada (ages 15-24) nearing 15 percent, Zinn struggled to find work, only managing to work 4 to 8 hours per week at a Boston Pizza in her hometown. She plans to start her job search in Calgary after her midterm exams.
Increasing Tuition and Inflation
In Alberta, the minimum wage is $15 an hour. The average tuition for students in the province has increased from $5,713 in the 2018-19 school year to $7,734 for the 2024-25 school year. Meanwhile, inflation has climbed by 20.57% during the same period, according to the Bank of Canada.
Kevin McNichol, CEO of Prospect Human Services, noted that most jobs available for students pay between $15 and $18 an hour. He expressed concern about how students today manage their finances compared to those who attended university 10 to 20 years ago.
Burden of Student Debt
Students like Ehwaniyk and Zinn, who are taking on student loans, will likely take longer to pay off their debt. “They’re facing larger debts because they aren’t able to find enough work to help with their expenses,” McNichol said. “They need to borrow more money to get through school.”
Looking ahead, the University of Calgary is considering a 2% increase in tuition for domestic undergraduate students for the 2025-26 academic year. Mount Royal University is also planning a similar average 2% tuition hike across all programs for domestic students. The Alberta government has capped tuition increases at 2% for post-secondary education starting in 2024-25.
