Summary Report: Experiential learning and outcomes of New Brunswick university graduates

Abstract

Experiential learning (EL) has become an important area of interest in New Brunswick as the province expands opportunities intended to strengthen student engagement and support labour force development. Within this context, research by DataNB analyzes EL participation among undergraduate students enrolled in New Brunswick’s four public universities between 2015 and 2022. Using linked administrative data from EL programs, institutional student records, and Medicare registry data, the study compares EL participation rates across demographic and academic groups and examines graduate retention in the province one and three years after program completion. Findings show substantial variation in EL participation across institutions and fields of study, shaped in part by differences in data collection practices and program requirements. EL participation is correlated with higher graduate retention, particularly among students from outside New Brunswick, although the magnitude of these differences is modest and largely influenced by student composition. Regression results indicate that EL participants have lower odds of leaving the province after graduation, while EL intensity shows limited association with retention. The study highlights the value of linked data for understanding student pathways and notes that results reflect correlations rather than causal effects.