Facts & Figures

In 2024-25, Lakehead University’s total impact on Ontario’s GDP was $4.73 billion

• Lakehead contributed $2.7 billion annually to the economy of Northwestern Ontario
• Lakehead contributed $2.2 billion annually to the economy of the City of Thunder Bay
• Lakehead contributed $355 million annually to the economy of the City of Orillia

Over the past five years, 2,649 international students graduated from Lakehead, with 25% continuing to live and work in Ontario, including 15% in Northwestern Ontario.

In 2024-25, Lakehead had the ninth highest 7-year graduation rate among Ontario universities and the second highest 7-year graduation rate among Ontario’s primarily undergraduate universities.

52% first-generation students
(neither parent has a degree)

54% of domestic undergraduate students
are from rural/northern communities

13% of domestic students
identify as Indigenous

47% of full-time undergraduate students 
on the Thunder Bay campus are from Northwestern Ontario

48% of full-time undergraduate students 
on the Orillia campus are from Simcoe County

2,346 international students from 96 unique countries studied at Lakehead in 2024-25 (includes English Language Program and Exchange Students) 

96% of Lakehead senior-year students
have been engaged in a course with applied research

100% of senior-year students participated in experiential learning
(such as community-based learning or co-op)

41% of domestic undergraduate students
receive OSAP based on student need

4% of domestic students with potential
are admitted with lower entering averages

9% of domestic students were 
enrolled in Lakehead’s unique access programs in 2024-25

Entry programs help students raise their academic average so that they can enter Lakehead degree programs. These include Gateway, the Indigenous Nurses Entry Program, and the Indigenous Transition Year Program.

An emphasis on experiential learning and research gives Lakehead students the skills and preparation they need for a competitive job market.

A Lakehead alum’s annual salary two years after graduating is $63,000.

93% employment rate
six months after graduation 

96% employment rate
two years after graduation

88% of Lakehead grads
are working in jobs related to their undergraduate degree 

93% of Lakehead grads are
doing work using skills developed through their undergraduate education

Lakehead has 74,998 alumni living and working all over the world in 116 countries.

Country of Origin
Lakehead students—and by extension, alumni—come from 144 countries across the globe. This means that Lakehead’s global footprint touches almost 75% of the world’s 195 countries.

Location Stats
76% of alumni live in Ontario
44% of alumni live in Thunder Bay and northern Ontario
22% of alumni live within a 100 km radius of Toronto

Giving Tuesday
$180,377 was raised on Giving Tuesday in 2025, with 228 contributions made to 50 existing awards.

Varsity Engagement
510 alumni attended 5 engagement events held at varsity away games

Ten Thousand Coffees Mentoring Program
Over 1,300 alumni acted as mentors to current Lakehead students and recent graduates through Ten Thousand Coffees—a powerful networking and mentorship program.