Does experiential learning influence post-secondary choices? A closer look at the data
Author: DataNB
Posted on Oct 24, 2025
Category: DataNB
Experiential learning is designed to help students build skills and confidence — but does it actually influence their decisions to pursue further education after high school?
A new DataNB report, Experiential Learning Outcomes of High School Graduates and Their Transition to Post-Secondary Education in New Brunswick, explores this question using linked administrative data from New Brunswick public schools and post-secondary institutions.
Among students deemed likely to pursue post-secondary education, experiential learning participants were more likely to choose college, while non-participants leaned toward university. For students not already on a post-secondary path, experiential learning did not appear to make a difference in their trajectories. Interestingly, however, experiential learning participants who enrolled in college tended to do so sooner after graduation.
These findings suggest that experiential learning may support college enrolment for some students — but not all. More research is needed to understand how different types of courses and experiences shape educational outcomes.