The number of postsecondary enrolments, by International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), institution type, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2021, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and BHASE (business, humanities, health, arts, social science and education) groupings, status of student in Canada, age group and gender.

This statistic shows the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada in academic year 2021/22. In 2022, a total of 920,145 students were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Ontario.

Participation rate in education, population aged 18 to 34, by age group and type of institution attended, Canada, provinces and territories. This table is included in Section E: Transitions and outcomes: Transitions to postsecondary education of the Pan Canadian Education Indicators Program (PCEIP). PCEIP draws from a wide variety of data sources to provide information on the school-age population, elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, transitions, and labour market outcomes. The program presents indicators for all of Canada, the provinces, the territories, as well as selected international comparisons and comparisons over time. PCEIP is an ongoing initiative of the Canadian Education Statistics Council, a partnership between Statistics Canada and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada that provides a set of statistical measures on education systems in Canada.

The number of postsecondary graduates, by institution type, International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), Classification of Instructional Programs, Primary groupings (CIP_PG), status of student in Canada and gender.

This statistic shows the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada from 2000 to 2022. In 2022, around 2.19 million students were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada.

The proportion of male and female postsecondary enrolments, by International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), institution type, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2021, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and BHASE (business, humanities, health, arts, social science and education) groupings, status of student in Canada and age group.

In the academic year of 2020/21, in total 937,626 students aged between 20 and 24 years old were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada. Additionally, 156,585 students aged 40 and over were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada.

In 2021, around 1.2 million women were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada. This is compared to about 931,220 men who were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in that same year.

In the academic year 2021/22, a total of 507,921 female students aged between 20 and 24 years were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada. This is compared to 417,780 males in the same age group who were enrolled in that year.

In 2022, around 1.1 million students were enrolled in an undergraduate program in Canada. In the same year, there were 88,473 students enrolled in pre-university programs in Canada.

This statistic shows the total number of students graduated from postsecondary institutions in Canada in 2020, by age group. In 2020, in total 165,888 female students aged between 20 and 24 years received a certificate, diploma, or degree from a postsecondary institution in Canada.

The number of postsecondary enrolments, by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2016 - Cannabis groupings (2 and 4 digit series), International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), institution type, registration status and gender.

The total number of students graduated from postsecondary institutions in Canada declined to 617,301 persons in 2022. Nevertheless, the last two years recorded a significantly higher total number than the preceding years.

Postsecondary enrolments, by detailed field of study, institution, institution type, registration status, program type, credential type, status of student in Canada and gender.

The Government of Canada provides post-secondary students with opportunities to gain work experience and develop skills with federal organizations. The Public Service Commission maintains a list of validated post-secondary academic institutions and programs.

In 2022, the total number of international students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada increased by 64,524 persons (+15.99 percent) compared to 2021. Therefore, the total number in Canada reached a peak in 2022 with 468,087 persons.

Colleges and universities in Canada have seen significant shifts in funding sources in recent years. While federal and provincial government support continues to make up nearly half their revenue, the federal government upped its higher education spending by 22.4% from 2019 to 2024, especially benefiting universities' research and development initiatives. This federal support helped offset inconsistent provincial funding, ranging from lacklustre to solid between regions. Ontario, home to over a third of Canada's universities, has maintained a tuition freeze and capped per-student provincial grants through the current period, straining revenue growth even as enrolment surged. Many universities in the province now face deficits, despite a 2024 government stimulus package. Revenue from investment returns and donations has fluctuated dramatically, introducing an element of volatility only stabilized by government funding in some provinces. Universities' revenue has been climbing at a CAGR of 1.6% to an estimated $53.8 billion over the five years through 2025, including an uptick of 0.7% in 2025 alone. Postsecondary schools have increasingly turned to international students for revenue. International students pay up to five times higher tuition costs than domestic students, making them a valuable and high-margin resource for offsetting shrinking government support. International enrolment skyrocketed through the early period, but the federal government imposed steep caps on international study permits in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to address pressures on housing and healthcare. Universities have faced plummeting new international student enrolment, leaving them unable to replace graduates. Tighter requirements, slower processing times and new restrictions further reduced applications and approval rates. Universities and colleges will likely see similar revenue growth through the next five years alongside upticks in both federal and provincial funding. The federal government is expected to spend more on research and innovation, with new grants and higher graduate scholarships. Universities outside Ontario will raise tuition, but Ontario's tuition freeze remains in place through at least 2027 and may remain for even longer. Competition for international students between institutions will intensify as the permit cap continues to constrict the revenue stream, pushing schools to offer more financial aid, even if it means smaller surpluses. In Quebec, increased out-of-province tuition threatens enrolment, forcing the province's universities to seek greater provincial support. Colleges and universities' revenue is set to swell at a CAGR of 1.4% to an estimated $57.5 billion through the end of 2030.

Proportion of students, aged 15 to 29, who were also working, by age group and type of institution attended, Canada and provinces. This table is included in Section E: Transitions and outcomes: Transitions to the labour market of the Pan Canadian Education Indicators Program (PCEIP). PCEIP draws from a wide variety of data sources to provide information on the school-age population, elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, transitions, and labour market outcomes. The program presents indicators for all of Canada, the provinces, the territories, as well as selected international comparisons and comparisons over time. PCEIP is an ongoing initiative of the Canadian Education Statistics Council, a partnership between Statistics Canada and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada that provides a set of statistical measures on education systems in Canada.

Canada CA: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Post-Secondary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data was reported at 68.039 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 67.275 % for 2022. Canada CA: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Post-Secondary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 60.410 % from Dec 1976 (Median) to 2023, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68.039 % in 2023 and a record low of 30.910 % in 1976. Canada CA: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Post-Secondary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed post-secondary non-tertiary education.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

This statistic shows the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada from 2000 to 2021, distinguished by attendance type. In 2021, about 1.69 million full-time students were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Canada.