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Higher Education Trend Report: Student Outcomes

Education & Skills

By: Ibrahim Abuallail

Key insights 

Post-secondary education plays a key role in the Canadian workforce 

  • Post-secondary graduates in Canada earn more than those with only high-school diplomas, particularly at the bachelor’s level and above. 
  • Employment and labour force participation rates are higher for those with post-secondary education (PSE), with mining and energy sectors promoting strong wage growth for PSE grads. 

Pursuing more education after graduation is a common step for students 

  • One in three graduates pursue another post-secondary credential within three years, but this often results in lower full-time employment and wages in the short term. 
  • Bachelor’s degree earners were the most likely to pursue additional credentials after graduation. 

STEM students face unique challenges in persistence and graduation 

  • STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students have lower graduation rates and longer times to finish their programs compared to their BHASE (business, humanities, health, arts, social science, and education) peers. 
  • These disparities are more evident at the undergraduate level but narrow or reverse in graduate programs. 

Foreign-born graduates nearly match Canadian-born peers in the labour market 

  • Foreign-born PSE graduates earn nearly as much as their Canadian-born counterparts. 
  • Canadian-born workers with higher education in Canada had a slightly higher employment rate compared to those born abroad, though the gap is relatively small.  

The graduate-to-job gap highlights mismatches between supply and demand 

  • In key fields like business, health, and engineering, the number of qualified graduates falls short of job market demand, while arts and humanities face surpluses. 
  • This imbalance underscores the need for closer alignment between post-secondary programs and labour market needs. 

Looking ahead: aligning education with a changing economy 

Canada’s post-secondary system is producing skilled graduates, but challenges remain in matching credentials to evolving labour market demands. Continued progress depends on supporting student pathways, reducing mismatches, and leveraging the full potential of domestic and international talent. 

Explore the full report for a deeper look at the data shaping the future of post-secondary education and workforce readiness.

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