Atlantic Canadian students carry the highest debt in the country: Statistics Canada

CITYnews hklifax / By Chris Halef

A new Statistics Canada report shows Nova Scotia post-secondary students have among the highest amount of debt in the country.

A survey of graduates from 2020 found that those holding bachelor’s degrees from Nova Scotia accumulated an average of $39,100 in student debt, second only to Prince Edward Island.

For students who went to college, the average graduate owed about $18,100 by the end of the program. Alberta and Saskatchewan students were the other two provinces higher than N.S.

The study also shows Nova Scotia students are less likely than most to pay off their student debt.

“I didn’t have the means to fund my own education, so I ended up with $36,000 in debt,” Georgia Saleski, Executive Director of Students Nova Scotia, said. “I’m now looking towards a master’s degree. My options for where I can study and afford to study within the province are very slim.”

 Saleski told CityNews Halifax that students are being priced out of their own province as a result and is urging the province to increase funding for colleges and universities in Nova Scotia.