Comparison of Costs of Post Secondary Education at Three Different Canadian Universities

 

Site Contents: Introduction | Student Profile | UWO | UBC | UofA | Comparisons | Conclusion | Evaluation | References | End of Project

 

By

Mary & Gwenneth

 

Introduction:

In this project, we will investigate the cost of post secondary education at three different universities in Canada, the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta and the University of Western Ontario. This not only entails the tuition, but also books, transportation, meals, residence and other fees (spending money, laundry, phone calls home, etc.) as well as other factors such as location and quality of education. We have created a specific student profile, included below, to simplify the analysis of the costs. The costs will be represented in three different forms; written, pie graphs and bar graphs to compare between the universities and to compare different costs within each university After putting all the information and graphs, we will be able to make a decision about which university is best for the student in question.

 

Student Profile:

Jill Smith is a seventeen-year old Grade 12 student in Regina, Saskatchewan. She is hoping to go into the Faculty of Science or Art next year to get her BSc or BA, but she doesn't know which university she wants to go to. Jill was accepted at UBC, U of A and the University of Western Ontario. She will need to stay in residence at the university she choose and she does not own a car but will need some form of transportation while she is away. Also, she will require other amenities while attending university, so these have been included in the budget. Jill wishes to attend a reputable university, which will provide her with a quality education and is interested in living near Toronto.

Problems to be explored for each of the three Universities examined:

C.A.'s comment: This project is very well set up and clear off the top.

The University of Western Ontario

1) What is the cost of tuition and books?

The projected tuition for the 2000/2001 at The University of Western Ontario is $4 598.49. The projected cost of textbooks and other reading materials is $800.00.

2) What is the cost of living in residency and food?

The cost of living is residency at the University of Western Ontario is projected to be $5,191.00. In this cost is included food and utilities.

3) What are the other costs of living at this university? (transportation, laundry, etc.)

The cost of in-city transportation in London Ontario is nothing, as this cost is included in the tuition fees. Phone fees for the Winter session should be around $200. The cost of personal items, clothing and entertainment should be about $440, $400, and $680, respectively. The cost of Laundry for the Winter session should be about $170.

4) What is the total for one year at this institution?

The costs previously mentioned, when accurately added should give a realistic estimate of the cost of attending this university.

$4 598.49 800.00 5 191.00 200.00 440.00 400.00 680.00 +170.00

$12479.49

 

The total cost of one year at The University of Western Ontario is estimated to be $12479.49.

 

C.A.'s comment: Imputed costs- a term used for costs lumped into what you are already paying for like the cost of in-city transport in this case.

5) What percentage of the total cost is each of the above components?

 

 

 

From this pie graph, it can been seen that the majority of the cost of attending The University of Western Ontario comes from residency and tuition fees. The cost of texts and other necessary reading resources compose the smallest part of the cost. Other costs, such as laundry money, phone fees, personal items, clothing and entertainment also can be seen to be a small amount of the costs of attending this University, but are significantly larger than those cost going towards the purchase of books.

 

The University of British Columbia

1) What is the cost of tuition and books?

The projected tuition fees for the 2000/2001 Winter Session at the University of British Columbia is $2 295.00 for Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents. The cost of books and other supplies should be about $500.

2) What is the cost of living in residency and food?

The cost of residency at the University of British Columbia, with a mandatory meal plan is at a rate of $800.00 per month is $ 6 400.00. Also included in this cost are utility fees.

3) What are the other costs of living at this university? (transportation, laundry, etc.)

The student fees should present a cost of about $233.75. The projected fees for the 2000/2001 school year were unavailable, so the cost of last year's student fees was used in this activity. The cost of transportation around the locality of Vancouver at a rate of $54 per month should come to a total of $432.00 over the course of the 2000/2001 Winter Session. Other miscellaneous, including clothing should come to a total cost of $1 600.00. The cost of Health Insurance, as the profile being examined is that of a Canadian Citizen and Resident will be nothing.

4) What is the total for one year at this institution?

The cost mentioned above, when accurately added should give an accurate estimate of the total cost of attending this institution for one year.

$ 2 295.00 500.00 233.75 6 400.00 432.00 + 1 600.00 $11 460.75

 

The total cost for attending one year of University at The University of British Columbia is estimated to be $11 460.75.

5) What percentage of the total cost is each of the above components? See pie graph below:

 

 

 

The University of Alberta

1) What is the cost of tuition and books?

The cost of tuition at the University of Alberta for a first year undergraduate student is approximately $ 3 900.00. The cost of books at this institution should be $1000.00.

2) What is the cost of living in residency and food?

The cost of residency at Lister Hall should cost about $1 480.00 in a shared room. The cost of the mandatory meal plan is on average $1 900.00. Utilities are included in this cost.

3) What are the other costs of living at this university? (transportation, laundry, etc.)

At the University of Alberta, transit passes are available for the cost of $50.00 per month. During the time period of a the Winter Session at this institution, the cost of transportation would therefor be $400.00. For other expenses, including phone services, personal items, recreational activities, clothing an amount of $1 600.00 will be used.

4) What is the total for one year at this institution?

The cost mentioned above, when accurately added should give an accurate estimate of the total cost of attending this institution for one year.

$3 900.00 1 000.00 1 480.00 1 900.00 1 600.00 + 400.00 $10280.00

 

5) What percentage of the total cost is each of the above components? See pie graph below:

 

As can be seen from this pie graph, the majority of costs at The University of Alberta come from tuition fees. The next major contributor to cost is the fees of residency and food. Miscellaneous costs contribute about 19% of the cost of attending this institution, as can be seen above. Book fees make up the smallest portion of the cost in this scenario.

C.A.'s comment: What is the relevance of considering the percentage of the total cost carried by each of the above components?

C.A.s comment: Presenting information in a dialogue form

 

Compare the three Universities in terms of tuition fees, residency fees, and total cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.A.'s comment: Use of a spread sheet for comparisons.

C.A.'s comment: The qualitative side of this analysis is crucial

C.A.'s comment: How I am going to fund my post secondary education?

C.A.'s comment: Costs change with time

 

Conclusion:

After considering all the information, Jill has decided to attend the University of Alberta for several reasons. Although the University of Western Ontario is near Toronto, Jill felt that the total cost to attend this institution was too high to justify attendance. The University of British Columbia had no special attraction for Jill and since it is a further distance from her home, she decided that trips home would be easier and more economical at the University of Alberta. All three universities have very good reputations and Jill was certain she would get a quality education at any of the institutions.

C.A.'s comment: Balancing the qualitative and quantitative side in a conclusion

Evaluation of Activity:

In investigating this question, we have learned useful information regarding university costs. Its worth in "real life" is proven yearly as students preparing for post secondary education ask the same questions as addressed in this report. As such students ourselves, we found this activity quite useful. Using the hypothetical Jill as an example, we have discovered the many costs of attending university, as well as the diversity of costs between universities across Canada. This activity has also allowed us to know where resources are available to help us in our decision making process.

References:

1. www.ualberta.ca

2. www.student-services.ubc.ca

3. www.registrar.uwo.ca

4. Change the World Guidebook, The University of Western Ontario.

5. Your University for the 21st Century, The University of British Columbia.

6. No Boundaries Prospective Student Handbook 2000/2001, The University of Alberta.

C.A.'s comment: Other costs factors

C.A.'s comment: References

C.A.'s comment: Accuracy in presenting information

 

 


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