An estimated 200,000 Canadian higher education students migrate annually to attend university/college. Scholars contend that be it directly or indirectly, migration is motivated by and brings financial returns to individuals. As student migration patterns continue to evolve, understanding the labour outcomes of relocation decisions is crucial for policymakers, educational institutions, and students themselves. Yet in Canada, research into the labour force outcomes or the effects of higher education student migration (HESM) on earnings is scarce. This study examines the effect of student migration for higher education on subsequent labour earnings in Canada, with a particular focus on Ontario students (i.e. migrants and stayers). The analysis uses a unique data linkage of Statistics Canada’s Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS) and the T1 Family File (T1FF) based on the Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Linkage Platform (ELMLP). Interaction matrixes of origins and study destinations are generated to track students who relocated for educational purposes and compares their income to those who remained in their home region. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of migration on earnings while controlling for other factors (e.g., age and field of study). Findings from the research show that in line with the human capital investment proposition, HESM has positive and significant effect on income although there are mixed results on the difference between incomes of migrants and stayers. This research has policy implications for creative regions and knowledge economies including local economic development and labour force trends in Canada. By identifying the long-term economic impacts of student migration, this research provides valuable insights for educational institutions, students, and policymakers seeking to maximize the socio-economic benefits of HESM.