Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) - Postsecondary ...

Figure 26 – Pay Differential,
University vs. College
Yes
14.5
Figure 27 – Pay Differential,
College Diploma vs. Degree
Not sure
12.7
Yes
25.5
No
85.5
No
61.8
University Degree vs. College Degree
A large majority of Employers stated that they would not pay someone more if they had a university
degree over a college degree (Figure 26), usually because the salary is determined for the job itself, and
the type of degree a candidate holds would not change the set rate of pay. Some Employers stated that
the pay would not be different because college and university degree graduates would have attended
the same approved program, and would have essentially similar skills and qualifications. A couple of
Employers explained that pay is based more on experience than education, and a few who based salary
on performance.
College students are ready to work, and university students are ready to make money. I'm not
going to reward university students for their sense of entitlement.
You either qualify for the opportunity or you don't. Pay is set for the job.
Of the Employers who would offer a higher pay to university graduates, the main reason was that
college degrees do not have an established reputation yet. A few Employers explained that they would
need to know more about the college degree before they decide what to pay graduates of these
programs.
College Degree vs. College Diploma
Arguing that pay is set for the job, or that experience and personal fit matters more than education,
most Employers indicated that they would not offer a higher salary to a college degree graduate
compared to a college diploma graduate (Figure 27). However, acknowledging the difference between a
degree and a diploma, several Employers said that they would offer higher salaries to college degree
graduates because of their higher qualification. A few Employers could not decide if there would be a
difference in pay because of insufficient information about differences between college business
degrees and college business diplomas.
The best candidate for the job will be hired and paid the rate set out for the job.”
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
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