Facts & Figures
Global Rankings
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings |
Every year, the definitive list of the world’s best universities is released by Times Higher Education (THE). It is the only global ranking to evaluate research-intensive universities across their core missions of teaching, research, international outlook, research citations, and industry income. The rankings are calculated using 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparisons. For the fourth year in a row, Lakehead University has been included in the top half of the THE’s 2023 list of the best universities from around the world—ranking in the 801-1,000 category. This year more than 2,100 universities participated in the rankings, with approximately 1,799 universities meeting the requirements to be included in the final rankings. Lakehead is also ranked #2 among Canada’s primarily undergraduate universities. We are included in the same bracket as a number of Canadian universities and we ranked above the worldwide median in the Research and International Outlook categories. Lakehead continues to be recognized in the top 50% of universities globally. |
| Times Higher Education Impact Rankings |
For the third year in a row, Lakehead University was in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and one of only 16 Canadian universities to be included in the top 100. The Impact Rankings measure the societal impact of universities by evaluating an institution's success in delivering the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. In the 2022 rankings, Lakehead is the highest-ranked university in the world with under 10,000 students contributing to poverty reduction, elimination of hunger, reduced inequalities, good health and wellbeing, and peace, justice, and strong institutions. Lakehead is ranked 64th overall among 1,406 universities from around the world, based on its performance in meeting the SDGs. Lakehead is ranked in all 17 SDGs, which demonstrates the University's commitment to being a leader in sustainability and to fostering sustainability throughout the university community. Ranking ahead of several top comprehensive and research-intensive Canadian universities, Lakehead scored highly across many SDGs, including ninth globally in SDG 1:No Poverty, which measures institutions on their respective efforts to help reduce poverty, including research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. This represents Lakehead's role as one of the largest employers, postsecondary institutions and economic hubs in Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County, and the direct impact the University has on economic and social resiliency in the regions it serves. This ranking also reflects the many initiatives Lakehead offers to support students who face barriers to accessing university education, including financial barriers, as well as the innovative research being done by faculty related to poverty in rural and remote communities in Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County. Lakehead ranked 13th globally in SDG 15: Life on Land, which explores a university's research on life on land and education on and support for land ecosystems. Lakehead ranked 24th globally in SDG 14: Life Below Water, examining a university's research on life below water and their education on, and support for, aquatic ecosystems. In addition, Lakehead scored in the top 100 universities globally in SDG 2: Zero Hunger (ranked 29th), SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being (ranked 95th), SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (ranked 71st), SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (ranked 88th), SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (ranked 76th), and SDG 13: Climate Action (ranked 94th). |
Transforming Communities
In 2021-22, the total impact of Lakehead University on Ontario’s GDP was $3.6 Billion
In 2021-22, Lakehead Orillia had a total impact of $245.7 Million on Ontario’s GDP.
In 2021-22, Lakehead Thunder Bay had a total impact of $1.7 Billion on Ontario’s GDP.
Lakehead’s Annual Economic Impact on Northwestern Ontario was $2.1 Billion.
Financials
| Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement of Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Read the full financial statements
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student Stats
In 2021-22, Lakehead had the 8th highest 7-year graduation rate among all Ontario universities.
43% first-generation students
(neither parent has a degree)
56% 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
43% of full-time undergraduate students on the
Orillia campus are from Simcoe County
2,024 international students from 85 unique countries—an increase of 12%
(including English Language Program & Exchange Students)
94% 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)
50% of domestic undergraduate students
receive OSAP based on student need
5% of domestic students with potential
are admitted with lower entering averages
9% of domestic students were enrolled
in Lakehead’s unique access programs in 2021-22
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.
Lakehead was ranked 8th nationally among Canada’s 19 primarily undergraduate universities in the 2023 Maclean’s Ranking of Canadian Universities.
Career Path
A Lakehead alum’s annual salary 2 years after graduating is $53.2 K.
94% Employment Rate
six months after graduation
95% Employment Rate
two years after graduation
84% of Lakehead grads are
working in jobs related to their undergraduate degree
91% of Lakehead grads doing work
using skills developed through their undergraduate education
All stats relate to baccalaureate degree attainment only.
Research Excellence
Research Infosource ranked Lakehead University #1 in Canada in its category for not-for-profit research income in 2021.
Over the past 20 years, Lakehead’s external research funding has increased 138% from $9.7 million in 2001-02 to $23.1 million in 2021-22
Lakehead had 172 unique research partnerships in 2021-2022 (includes municipal, government (excluding tri-agency), not-for-profit, business/industry and Indigenous groups)
Lakehead University had 25 research chairs in 2021-22
Over the past 10 years, the number of full-time graduate students increased by 86%
Alumni Stats
Lakehead has 69,113 Alumni living and working in 111 countries around the world.
Country of Origin
Lakehead students—and by extension, Alumni—originated from 144 countries across the globe. This means that Lakehead’s global footprint touches almost 75% of the world’s 195 countries.
76.7% of Alumni live in Ontario
40.1% of Alumni live in Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario
20.8% of Alumni live within a 100 km radius of Toronto