
Canada is home to a large number of colleges and universities, with over 100 universities alone as of 2023. The country's post-secondary institutions have seen a steady increase in student enrollment over the years, with the total number of enrolled students rising to 2.2 million in the 2022/2023 academic year. This includes both Canadian and international students, with international student enrollment more than doubling over the past decade. While university enrollment saw a slight dip during this period, the number of students enrolled in colleges increased, with a particular rise in international students from India. Overall, approximately 34% of Canadians have attained a college credential, while 33% hold a university credential.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of universities | Over 100 |
| Number of students enrolled in universities | 1.4 million (2022) or 1.8 million (as of 2023) |
| Total number of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions | 2.19 million (2022) or 2.2 million (2022/2023 academic year) |
| Percentage of students enrolled who are international | 21.2% (2022/2023) |
| Number of climate researchers at universities | Over 7,000 |
| Number of climate-related research centres and institutes | Over 70 |
| Number of universities that use their campuses for sustainability research and testing | Over 40 |
| Number of universities offering work-integrated learning programs | 80 |
| Number of Canadians with a college credential | 34% (as of 2021) |
| Number of Canadians with a university credential | 33% (as of 2021) |
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What You'll Learn

In 2022, 2.19 million students were enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Canada
Canada is home to over 100 universities, with programs offered in English and French. Most French-speaking universities are located in Quebec, though several institutions outside the province are either francophone or bilingual. On-campus residences are available at 95% of universities in Canada.
In the 2022/2023 academic year, enrolments in colleges and universities increased to 2.2 million students, up 0.6% from the previous year. This growth was driven by a rise in international student enrolments, which increased by 16% (+64,524) compared to the previous year. The number of international students enrolled in colleges and universities in Canada nearly doubled from 2013/2014 (199,116) to 2022/2023 (468,087).
Canadian colleges and universities are attracting a significant number of international students, with international enrolments accounting for 21.2% of all college and university enrolments in 2022/2023. The increase in international student enrolments is particularly notable in colleges, with the majority of international students enrolled at this level. Fields of study such as business and administration, and mathematics and computer and information sciences posted the largest increases for international students in 2022/2023.
In addition to the high number of international students, Canadian colleges and universities also have a large proportion of domestic students pursuing higher education. As of 2021, 34% of Canadians have attained a college credential, and 33% have a university credential. This indicates a strong participation rate in post-secondary education among Canadians, with many individuals recognizing the value of higher education and skills development.
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34% of Canadians have a college credential
Canada has over 100 universities, with 1.8 million students enrolled in university education. In 2022, around 2.19 million students were enrolled in post-secondary institutions, including colleges.
Canada has the largest share of college and university graduates in the G7. In 2021, 57.5% of Canadians aged 25-64 held a college or university credential, with 34% of Canadians having attained a college credential. This is an increase from 2016, when 22.4% of Canadians in the same age bracket had a college diploma as their highest educational qualification. This is significantly higher than the OECD average of 8% in 2016.
Colleges and institutes are highly accessible, and their programs are based on the needs of employers. They offer short, career-oriented programs that may add vocational qualifications to a university credential. This is reflected in the data, which shows that nearly 1 in 5 college and institute students in Canada had previously completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. This trend is particularly noticeable in Ontario and British Columbia, with 25.8% and 24.1% of college students, respectively, having already obtained a bachelor’s degree. Women and immigrant college or institute students are more likely to have previously completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The high level of post-secondary education in Canada is supported by the presence of over 7,000 climate researchers and more than 70 climate-related research centres and institutes across the country.
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33% of Canadians have a university credential
Canada has one of the highest rates of college and university graduates among comparable countries. As of 2021, 57.5% of Canadians aged 25-64 held a college or university credential, up from 54% in 2016. This is the highest percentage among G7 countries, with the share of the population with an equivalent credential in the US being about 10%.
In 2021, 33% of Canadians had a university credential, and 34% had attained a college credential. This represents a notable shift towards university education, particularly among younger citizens. In 2016, 22.4% of Canadians aged 25 to 64 had a college diploma, while 28.5% had a bachelor's degree or higher. This trend continued in 2021, with 36% of international students at Canadian colleges already possessing a bachelor's degree.
The increase in university credential attainment is partly due to immigration, with about 60% of new immigrants arriving with a university degree. However, it is also due to younger citizens choosing university in greater numbers. In 2016, 40.7% of young women aged 25 to 34 had a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 25% of men in the same age group. This trend has been ongoing since the early 1990s, with the gap widening over time. In the most recent census, the rate of growth in men's university education picked up substantially, but at 2.2%, it still lagged behind the 3.3% growth rate among women.
Canada's strong college and university system is key to its high international standing in education. There are over 100 universities in Canada, with 1.8 million students enrolled. Universities are also centres of research, with over 7,000 climate researchers and more than 70 climate-related research institutes spread across the country.
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1.8 million students enrolled in university
As of 2023, there are more than 100 universities in Canada, with around 1.8 million students enrolled in university. This number has fluctuated in recent years, with 1,842,903 Canadian students enrolled in college and university in 2013/2014, decreasing to 1,738,095 in 2022/2023. The total number of students enrolled in universities in Canada was around 1.4 million in 2022, a slight decrease from 2021. However, when taking into account the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions, the number rises to 2.19 million in 2022. This includes international students, who accounted for 21.2% of all college and university enrolments in the 2022/2023 academic year, with a total of 468,087 international students.
The high number of students enrolled in universities and colleges in Canada can be attributed to various factors. One reason could be the accessibility of postsecondary education in the country, with a range of public and private institutions offering different programs. Additionally, the quality of Canadian universities and the recognition of their degrees internationally may attract a significant number of students.
Another factor contributing to the high enrolment numbers is the range of programs offered by Canadian universities. With over 100 universities, students have a vast array of choices for their field of study. Canadian universities also offer on-campus residences, which are available at 95% of institutions, making them more attractive to students who need accommodation during their studies.
The enrolment numbers also highlight the importance of postsecondary education in Canada. With 34% of Canadians attaining a college credential and 33% achieving a university credential, the country boasts the largest share of college and university graduates among the G7 nations. This indicates a strong culture of pursuing higher education in Canada, which is reflected in the significant number of students enrolled in universities and colleges.
The impact of international students on enrolment numbers is also notable. While there was a general decrease in Canadian student enrolments in 2022/2023, international student enrolments increased by 16% during the same period. This contributes to the overall high enrolment numbers, as international students are attracted to the high-quality education and opportunities that Canadian universities offer.
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International student enrolment increased for colleges and universities in 2022/2023
As of 2023, there are over 100 universities in Canada, with 1.8 million students enrolled in university education and 2.19 million students enrolled in post-secondary education.
In 2022, international student enrolment in US colleges and universities increased by 4% compared to the previous year, with 948,519 international students from over 200 countries of origin. This increase was a result of a rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating a continued interest in international students to pursue their studies in the US.
This trend continued into the 2022/2023 academic year, with 83% of institutions noting an increase in study abroad numbers compared to the previous year. The Fall 2022 International Student Enrollment Snapshot reported a 9% increase in total international students in US institutions, with growth across all academic levels.
The Open Doors® 2023 Report on International Educational Exchange further emphasized this growth, reporting that international student enrolment in US colleges and universities exceeded 1 million in 2022/2023, representing a 12% year-over-year increase. This was the highest rate of growth in 40 years, with international students making up 6% of the total student population.
The 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange revealed that this trend continued into the 2023/2024 academic year, with 1,126,690 international students enrolled, a 7% increase from the previous year. This set a new record for foreign enrolment in the US, contributing significantly to the economy and fostering cultural exchange.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 2.2 million students enrolled in colleges and universities in Canada for the 2022/2023 academic year.
There are around 1.4 million students enrolled in universities in Canada as of 2022.
Assuming that "university" and "college" are mutually exclusive in Canada, we can subtract the number of university students from the total number of students enrolled in colleges and universities. This gives us approximately 800,000 college students in Canada as of 2022/2023.
As of 2021, 34% of Canadians have attained a college credential, and 33% have a university credential.











































