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Colleges & Universities in Canada Industry Data and Analysis
Colleges and universities in Canada have seen significant shifts in funding sources in recent years. While provincial government funding continues to account for a larger share of their revenue, the federal government's significant increase in higher education funding has benefited universities, especially those with extensive research and development initiatives. This federal support helped offset inconsistent provincial funding, which has ranged from lacklustre to significant between provinces. Ontario, home to two out of every five 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 that has only been stabilized by government funding in some provinces. Universities' revenue has been swelling at a CAGR of 0.6% to an estimated $55.7 billion over the five years through 2026, including an expected 1.2% rise in 2026 alone.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released February 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Colleges & Universities industry in Canada operates under the NAICS industry code 61131aCA. The Colleges and Universities industry in Canada provides public and private postsecondary education services. Industry institutions grant certificates, as well as associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees. This industry does not include for-profit institutions. Related terms covered in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada include endowment, massive open online courses (moocs) and colleges.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Colleges & Universities industry in Canada include Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and Doctorate degrees.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada include The University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and McGill University.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada in 2026?
The market size of the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada is $55.7bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada in 2026?
There are 175 businesses in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.7 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada?
The Colleges & Universities industry in Canada is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada?
The Colleges & Universities industry in Canada is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada are The University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and McGill University
What does the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada include?
Providing postsecondary education and Providing higher education at colleges and universities are part of the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada is The University of Toronto.
How competitive is the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Colleges & Universities industry in Canada.
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