Statistics Canada Unveils Latest Data on Graduate Employment Outcomes
On June 24, 2026, Statistics Canada released updated labour market outcome indicators for college and university graduates spanning the classes of 2010 to 2022. The data provide detailed insights into median employment income by educational qualification, field of study, gender, age group, and student status at national, provincial, and territorial levels. For the first time, the release incorporates breakdowns by Indigenous identity and racialized group, offering a more inclusive view of post-graduation trajectories across Canada.
This annual update draws from the Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform, integrating the Postsecondary Student Information System with tax records from the T1 Family File and the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile, alongside Census data. The platform, developed in collaboration with provincial and territorial ministries of education and Employment and Social Development Canada, enables longitudinal analysis of graduate outcomes while protecting individual privacy through anonymized datasets.
Scope and Coverage of the 2026 Release
The indicators cover thirteen graduating cohorts from calendar years 2010 through 2022. Analysis focuses on unique individuals aged 15 to 64 who earned an in-scope postsecondary credential, excluding apprenticeship programs, secondary diplomas, basic education, and certain non-credit activities. Graduates are grouped by qualification type, with adjustments for professional degrees in fields such as medicine, law, and dentistry, and for consistency across jurisdictions in education and social work programs.
Employment income calculations require tax record linkage and exclude those returning to full-time study in the measurement year. Part-time returnees are grouped with non-returnees due to similar earnings profiles. The final study population reflects one record per graduate meeting these criteria, ensuring robust longitudinal and cross-sectional comparisons.
Methodology and Data Integration
Statistics Canada constructs calendar-year cohorts by aligning Postsecondary Student Information System reporting years with tax data periods. Multiple qualifications earned in the same year are consolidated using a hierarchy prioritizing graduate over undergraduate levels, then credential type, with random selection as a last resort. Records missing gender or age, or for individuals outside the 15-64 age range, are removed to maintain focus on labour-market-relevant outcomes.
Tax integration provides employment income details two and five years after graduation, supporting both snapshot and cohort-based views. The technical reference guide details quality controls, including random rounding of counts and exclusion of imputed records. This rigorous approach ensures the indicators reflect real-world earnings patterns while adhering to strict confidentiality standards.
New Dimensions: Indigenous Identity and Racialized Groups
A standout feature of the 2026 release is the inclusion of data disaggregated by Indigenous identity and racialized group. Previously unavailable at this scale, these breakdowns allow policymakers and institutions to examine disparities and progress in labour market integration. The addition aligns with broader federal commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion in education and employment.
By linking Postsecondary Student Information System records with Census information, Statistics Canada provides previously unavailable national and regional perspectives. This expansion supports targeted interventions by universities, colleges, and provincial governments to address systemic barriers faced by Indigenous and racialized graduates.
Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash
Provincial and Territorial Perspectives
Outcomes vary across Canada’s provinces and territories, reflecting differences in program offerings, labour markets, and economic conditions. The interactive visualization tool enables users to explore median incomes by field of study and qualification at sub-national levels, facilitating comparisons between, for example, Ontario’s technology programs and Alberta’s energy-related fields.
Provincial ministries of education and post-secondary institutions can use these granular data to evaluate program effectiveness and align curricula with regional workforce needs. The release underscores the value of the Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform in supporting evidence-based decision-making at all levels of government.
Implications for Canadian Higher Education Institutions
Universities and colleges across Canada rely on these indicators to demonstrate graduate success to prospective students, funders, and accreditors. Strong median earnings in certain fields can bolster recruitment efforts, while gaps identified in others may prompt curriculum reviews or enhanced career services.
The data also inform institutional strategies for supporting Indigenous and racialized students through targeted scholarships, mentorship programs, and culturally responsive advising. Associations such as Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada can leverage the findings to advocate for continued investment in post-secondary education that delivers measurable labour-market returns.
Career Insights for Graduates and Job Seekers
For recent and prospective graduates, the release highlights fields with stronger earnings trajectories two and five years post-graduation. Health, engineering, and business programs frequently show robust outcomes, while outcomes in some humanities and social science fields vary more widely depending on additional credentials or experience.
Job seekers can use the interactive tool to benchmark expectations by province, qualification, and demographic group. The inclusion of Indigenous and racialized group data provides important context for equity-deserving individuals navigating the labour market. Career centres at Canadian institutions are encouraged to incorporate these insights into advising sessions and workshop materials.
Policy and Stakeholder Perspectives
Employment and Social Development Canada and provincial governments use the indicators to assess the effectiveness of post-secondary investments and to shape labour-market policies. The longitudinal nature of the data supports evaluation of programs aimed at increasing participation among underrepresented groups.
Stakeholders note that the 2026 release arrives at a time of evolving labour-market conditions, including shifts in remote work, automation, and skills demands. The data provide a baseline for monitoring how graduates fare amid these changes and for refining immigration, training, and credential-recognition policies.
Photo by Tom Carnegie on Unsplash
Accessing the Data and Tools
The full dataset is available through Statistics Canada’s interactive visualization tool, which allows users to filter by educational qualification, field of study, geography, and demographic characteristics. The accompanying technical reference guide offers detailed methodology, data quality notes, and definitions essential for accurate interpretation.
Researchers and analysts can access custom tables through the Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform. Media and public inquiries are directed to Statistics Canada’s information line or media relations team. These resources ensure transparency and support secondary analysis by academics and policy organizations.
Future Outlook and Ongoing Monitoring
Statistics Canada plans to continue annual releases, expanding coverage and refining indicators as new data become available. Future iterations may incorporate additional variables such as occupation or further education pathways, providing even richer portraits of graduate trajectories.
As Canada’s post-secondary sector adapts to demographic shifts, technological change, and equity priorities, these labour-market outcome indicators will remain a critical resource. Institutions, governments, and graduates alike benefit from timely, disaggregated data that illuminate both successes and areas requiring attention.
