College Graduate Outcome Survey (CGOS)
The College Graduate Outcome Survey (CGOS) measures the satisfaction of Ontario college graduates with their college education and employment outcomes following graduation. It assesses perceptions on how well the college experience has prepared them to meet their goals after graduation.
In collaboration with the provincial government, graduates are contacted by Forum Research Inc., an independent research firm, and requested to complete the survey regarding their education and employment status.
The CGOS is conducted six months after graduation and provides data for the Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA) metric “Graduate Employment in a Related Field”.
Any questions about this survey and/or opt-out requests may be directed to [email protected].
Purpose of the Survey
The Graduate Survey is a measure of graduate satisfaction with college programs and the percentage of college graduates who found employment within six months of graduation.
Niagara College uses the feedback from surveys to make changes to programs that benefit future students, such as:
- strengthening programs we offer;
- ensure job-readiness for our graduates;
- ensure our programs are current and relevant.
The information is used by Niagara College to help students
and graduates make informed career decisions and to review programs for quality assurance and continuous improvement purposes.
What Participation Involves
Graduates will receive an email to complete the survey online, with a reminder sent by SMS invite, followed by telephone outreach.
This survey is conducted by Forum Research on behalf of the provincial government and Ontario colleges.
It provides an opportunity for graduates to comment on their career success and satisfaction as a college graduate. Survey questions focus on:
- satisfaction with aspects of college programs and services six months after graduation;
- graduates who found employment within six months of graduation;
- graduate satisfaction with the usefulness of their education to achieve their goals.
Completing the survey is optional, however a few moments of your time to provide input can inform future directions for the college.
Eligibility to Participate, Fielding Periods
The respondent must have graduated from an eligible college program in Ontario within a specified period.
FIELDING PERIOD: tentatively scheduled to launch on July 22, 2026
Confidentiality
The information from this survey is being collected under the authority subsection 8(2) of Ontario Regulation 34/03 made under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act.
All responses are confidential. Responses will be reported in aggregate, except for comments which will be anonymized but otherwise reported as submitted.
Niagara College Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy
Accessibility
If you have a disability and would like to access accommodation or alternative delivery options, please email [email protected].
Background
In a collaborative initiative between Ontario colleges and the provincial government, this survey was developed as a means of measuring impact, improving transparency, and providing outcomes-based accountability measures for public investment in college education. Since 1998, Ontario colleges have been mandated by the provincial government to collect and report performance data, evaluating how well they are meeting the needs of students, graduates, and employers. The information also informs colleges and the government in continuous improvement efforts in planning, delivery of programs, and policymaking.