Canada is among the most educated countries in the world. According to the 2021 census, 57.2% of Canadians have completed a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree, a figure that has steadily increased over the last decade. With education levels on the rise nationwide, expectations for the next generation have never been higher.
Against this backdrop, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of Globe readers’ plans for their children’s post-secondary education. We asked parents about a range of topics, including learning formats, preferred locations, whether a university degree is considered critical to success, and how the Trump tariffs are influencing their decisions on where to study.
Post-secondary plans on the horizon
65% of Globe readers have children, of whom only 12% are currently enrolled in post-secondary education. However, 21% of parents report that their children are planning to either switch schools or continue their education after completing their current programs.
Additionally, within the next few years, 10% of Globe parents anticipate that their teens will apply for post-secondary education. Among these families, university institutions remain the overwhelming top choice for 85% of students. College is the next most popular option (15%), followed by trade schools (11%).
Why Globe parents back the Bachelor’s degree
For many Globe parents, a university degree is critical to their children’s future career success. In fact, 70% of those with children planning to start, switch, or continue post-secondary education believe a degree is crucial for long-term career prospects.
Two factors consistently rise to the top when parents and teenagers are deciding where to apply: the school’s academic reputation and its location. For 72% of respondents, these considerations are paramount in shaping post-secondary plans.
Health sciences lead in program popularity
When it comes to academic interests, health sciences tops the list. Nearly one in three parents (29%) say their teens are drawn to programs in this field. Arts and humanities follow closely behind at 27%, with business (24%), science (23%), and engineering (22%) also attracting strong interest. Many students are still weighing their options, with 30% considering two fields of study and 35% deciding between three.
In-person learning makes a comeback
Even though online education has expanded significantly, it’s the least favoured option among Globe readers’ children. Only 1% are considering online-only programs.
Most teenagers, 72%, prefer in-person learning. Hybrid programs appeal to just 17% of students.
Choosing where to study
Location plays a crucial role in educational decisions. A little over half (52%) of young people are applying to schools in a different city within their home province. Another 36% plan to study in the same city as their parents. Out-of-province applications account for 29%, while 21% are considering schools outside of Canada.
Impact of tariffs on education choices
Despite ongoing discussions about the impact of Trump’s tariffs, most parents report that they have had little effect on their higher education decision-making. However, two areas where parents were slightly divided were program length and proximity to the campus from home. In both cases, parents acknowledge that tariffs had at least some influence on these aspects of teenager’s decisions, 43% and 46%, respectively.
Involved and invested: Globe parents play a central role in education planning
Parental involvement is a significant factor in post-secondary planning, with a substantial 72% of Globe parents saying they are highly engaged in their teen’s educational decisions.
When it comes to tangible support, 88% are willing to provide financial assistance for their teen’s education. However, this doesn’t mean they expect their children to focus solely on academics – 79% believe it’s important for them to gain experience, particularly through internships, during their studies.
Summary
Globe parents are firmly committed to their children’s future success. The majority of students intend on applying to a university, with parents ready to provide financial support to help them get there. In-person learning remains the clear preference, and most students plan to pursue post-secondary education within their home province. Although tariffs loom over the Canadian economy, they are not significantly influencing the post-secondary education decisions of parents and children.
