Graduates from these Ontario universities more likely to become CEOs: Survey

Ontario is home to numerous post-secondary locations, all of which produce eager young graduates who are ready to enter the workforce and showcase their skills. However, when it comes to positions in international commerce, just how many of these universities are producing graduates who make their way to the top of the corporate food chain? 

A recent study by CanadaCasino has discovered that Ontario’s post-secondary institutions are among some of the top locations in the country when it comes to alumni students becoming CEOs, with schools such as the University of Toronto (which operates a campus in Mississauga) and York making the list. 

According to the survey, the average CEO in Ontario makes $177,652 a year.

By utilizing employment information collected by LinkedIn and Glassdoor, the study calculated the percentage of alumni from Ontario-based institutions who are actively holding (or have held) CEO and other founder positions across the globe.  

Additional academic data was gathered through data posted by Times Higher Education and Edurank. 

After the numbers were punched in, it was revealed that Ontario is in second place when it comes to the number of CEOs produced.  

The exact numbers show that seven per cent of universities in Ontario are producing alumni who go on to hold CEO positions or other founding roles. Other forms of founder roles can include, but are not limited to, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as well as head of marketing.

The study also was able to quantify that out of the top 10 post-secondary locations producing CEOs, five Ontario-based universities are amongst those 10. These locations include the University of Toronto, Queen’s University, Western University, York University and the University of Waterloo. 

The study’s conclusion shows that British Columbia is holding the number one spot by producing 7.9 per cent of alumni who move on to CEO and founder positions, while Newfoundland and Labrador are the regions where these positions generate the most income with the average salary being roughly $237,500 — a 56 percent increase from the national average of $160, 281. 

Even with stiff competition from provinces across the country, Ontario can hold its silver medal high as one of the best places to learn how to sit in the big chair.