Evidence on Canadian graduates who pursue further post-secondary education

Abstract

The majority of students are faced with two options upon graduation: Enter the workforce of continue their education. Of those students who delay entry into the workforce, some will pursue a second degree at the same level, while others switch between different levels of post-secondary institutions to attain more educating. Drawing on the Youth in Transition Survey Cohort A, this paper documents the transitions of bachelor's graduates from Canadian universities. Regression analysis is used to estimate which factors impact the student's decision to enter a second program and the level of that program. Results show that the major factors related to students' decisions regarding further education and the level at which it is pursued are academic performance indicators, participation in an experiential learning program, majoring in business in the student's first program, and province of study. In particular, majoring in business, management, and public administration, participating in an experiential learning program, and studying in the Prairies or British Columbia in the student's first program have a negative impact on the decision to enter a second program.