Alberta Students Face Rising Admission Averages for University Engineering Programs
Aspiring engineering students in Alberta are facing increasing competition for limited university spots, leading to rising admission averages. Even students with high grades, like Evan Wray, are finding themselves rejected from their top choices, highlighting the growing pressure on students and the challenges universities face in keeping pace with population growth.
Rejection Despite High Grades: Evan Wray's Story
Evan Wray, a graduate of Calgary's STEM Innovation Academy, was surprised to be rejected from the University of Calgary's engineering program despite achieving an 89.5% average. The program was his top choice, offering the opportunity to save money by living at home and pursue his desire to work in the oil and gas industry.
"We were told growing up that if you work hard, and you work as hard as you can to achieve something, that you'll get it, right? And I worked extremely hard to get my grades up, and that just didn't happen. And believe me, I studied as hard as I could, I did everything that I could." - Evan Wray
Wray has decided to take a gap year, working in construction while upgrading his high school courses online. He plans to re-apply to the University of Calgary, hoping for a different outcome with early admission. He is not alone, as many students with averages in the high 80s have reported similar rejections.
Rising Demand and Limited Capacity at the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary acknowledges the increasing demand for its programs, driven by Alberta's booming population. The university reported a 9% increase in applications in 2025 compared to the previous year. "As demand continues to outpace available capacity, admission averages are rising accordingly," the university said in a statement.
University of Calgary President Ed McCauley stated that the university is essentially at "full capacity" with 38,000 students enrolled. He noted that "For every four qualified students, we can only accept one," emphasizing the competitive nature of admissions.
University Efforts to Expand Capacity
The University of Calgary has added spots to some high-demand programs, including engineering and science, since 2022. This expansion has been made possible through targeted funding from the Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education. McCauley anticipates adding 10,000 more slots by 2030 to meet demand, requiring collaboration with industry, donors, the community, and the province.
Comparison to Other Alberta Universities
The University of Alberta calculates a three-year trend for admission averages, listing engineering as requiring grades in the mid to high 80s and science in the mid 80s to low 90s. However, they also acknowledge that "Because demand and capacity can change from year to year, both course requirements and admission averages fluctuate." Mount Royal University in Calgary reports that admission remains competitive, but averages have remained fairly consistent for science and tech programs.
Expert Perspectives on Grade Inflation
Lisa Davis, founder of STEM Innovation Academy, has been tracking the rising admission averages. She notes that the "cutoff" for engineering at the University of Calgary reached 90% for the fall 2025 intake, higher than the previously stated mid-to-high 80s. Davis argues that faculties have stated "there's no difference between a student who had an 80 per cent in entrance and a student who had a 90 per cent in entrance in terms of how they perform in engineering."
The Pressure on Alberta Students
Alberta high school students face unique pressure due to the province's diploma exams, which account for 30% of the final grade in 30-level courses. Pragnya Gundlapally, a Grade 12 student, expresses nervousness about the inflating grade expectations. Evan Wray echoed these feelings, noting "It is an unreal amount of pressure, like I was stressing the whole time about it."
The Demand for STEM Careers
Census data shows Alberta with the highest proportion of people who studied engineering in Canada (12.1%). Christopher Yip, vice chair of Engineering Deans Canada, attributes the increased interest in engineering to a changing labor market and evolving technology. He emphasizes that the demand for these programs has significantly increased, driving up entering averages.
Provincial Review of Post-Secondary Funding
The Alberta ministry has ordered a review of post-secondary funding, led by economist Jack Mintz. The review examines funding allocations, the impact of federal immigration policy, and Alberta's competitiveness as a post-secondary destination. The ministry states, "We are investing in transforming and modernizing Alberta's post-secondary system to ensure it remains both accessible and affordable for students."
Concerns about Students Leaving Alberta
Lisa Davis worries that the high admission standards will force Alberta students to seek post-secondary education elsewhere, incurring significant additional costs. She believes that "We have set these marks so high that our students are going to be forced to leave the province...to get a degree they really should be able to access here in Alberta."
