Education in Nova Scotia, Canada: official figures
63% of adults aged 25 to 64 in Nova Scotia had a tertiary qualification (a college diploma or university degree) in 2025; tied for 5th highest of 13 provinces and territories. The Canadian figure was 64%, and the OECD average was 41% in 2023.
Is education attainment rising in Nova Scotia?
The share of 25- to 64-year-olds in Nova Scotia with a tertiary qualification rose from 52% in 2015 to 63% in 2025 (Canada: 55% to 64%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many people in Nova Scotia have a university degree?
In 2025, 23% of adults aged 25 to 64 in Nova Scotia held a bachelor's degree as their highest qualification and 14% a master's or doctoral degree (Canada: 25% and 14%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow educated are young adults in Nova Scotia?
Among younger adults aged 25 to 34, 70% in Nova Scotia had a tertiary qualification in 2025 (2nd highest of 13 provinces and territories; Canada: 68%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyAre women or men more educated in Nova Scotia?
In 2025, 71% of women aged 25 to 64 in Nova Scotia had a tertiary qualification, against 55% of men (Canada: 71% of women and 57% of men).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the high school graduation rate in Nova Scotia?
92% of students in Nova Scotia graduated from high school on time, within three years of starting grade 10, in 2023/24; tied for the highest of 11 provinces and territories with data. The Canadian rate was 84%, and the rate in Nova Scotia in 2022/23 was 92%.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many students in Nova Scotia finish high school?
Within five years of starting grade 10, 94% of students in Nova Scotia had graduated in 2023/24 (Canada: 91%). The on-time rate was 93% for girls and 91% for boys.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Nova Scotia compares with other provinces
Share of adults aged 25 to 64 with a tertiary (college or university) qualification, 2025 (2025)
Nova Scotia ranks 5 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of adults aged 25 to 64 with a tertiary (college or university) qualification, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Yukon | 66% |
| 3 | British Columbia | 64% |
| 4 | Prince Edward Island | 64% |
| 5 | Nova Scotia | 63% |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 63% |
| 7 | Alberta | 59% |
| 8 | Manitoba | 59% |
Share of adults aged 25 to 64 without a high school diploma, 2025 (2025)
Nova Scotia ranks 8 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of adults aged 25 to 64 without a high school diploma, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | New Brunswick | 8% |
| 6 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 8% |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | 7% |
| 8 | Nova Scotia | 7% |
| 9 | Prince Edward Island | 7% |
| 10 | Ontario | 6% |
| 11 | Alberta | 6% |
Share of adults aged 25 to 34 with a tertiary qualification, 2025 (2025)
Nova Scotia ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of adults aged 25 to 34 with a tertiary qualification, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ontario | 75% |
| 2 | Nova Scotia | 70% |
| 3 | New Brunswick | 69% |
| 4 | British Columbia | 68% |
| 5 | Yukon | 68% |
| 6 | Prince Edward Island | 67% |
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 62% |
On-time high school graduation rate, 2023/24 (2023/24)
Nova Scotia ranks 1 of 11, highest first. Students graduating within three years of starting grade 10 (Secondary III in Quebec). No data for Yukon.
| Rank | Region | On-time high school graduation rate, 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nova Scotia | 92% |
| 2 | Prince Edward Island | 92% |
| 3 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 88% |
| 4 | Ontario | 87% |
| 5 | New Brunswick | 87% |
| 6 | Manitoba | 86% |
| 7 | British Columbia | 85% |
More on Nova Scotia: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0130-01: Educational attainment of the population aged 25 to 64, by age group and gender, Canada, provinces and territories (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 aca527f04949…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0221-01: True cohort high school graduation rate, on-time and extended-time graduation rates, by gender (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 266bc0204d0b…)
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