Florida’s public state colleges generate more than $56 billion in annual economic impact for students, taxpayers, and communities across the state, serving as a significant economic driver.
Together, these institutions support about 640,000 jobs statewide, including more than 553,000 positions connected to alumni.
For hundreds of thousands of Floridians, the state’s 28 public colleges are more than a gateway to higher education—they serve as a bridge to opportunity. Throughout the Florida College System (FCS), students earn the skills, credentials, and degrees necessary to open doors to lasting economic mobility, while communities benefit from a stronger workforce and a more resilient economy.
The FCS is the largest higher education network in Florida. Each year, it awards tens of thousands of degrees and credentials in high-demand fields such as healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. The FCS serves the most diverse student body in the state, with an average age of 25 across the system, 60% part-time learners, more than 40% students of color, and a growing share of first-generation students and working adults.
In 2023–24, the FCS contributed $56.7 billion to Florida’s economy, nearly 4% of the state’s total output. This impact is driven largely by the success of FCS students and alumni, 90% of whom remain in Florida after graduation, living and working across the state. About 1 in every 24 jobs statewide is connected to the Florida College System.
For Students:
Every dollar invested in their FCS education yields an average of $6.30 in higher lifetime earnings.
For Taxpayers:
Each public dollar generates $2.40 in added tax revenue and savings from reduced public spending and social costs.
For the State:
The overall return reaches $13.30 in added income and social savings for every $1 invested—reflecting the broad and lasting benefits of an educated workforce.
Together, these returns illustrate how Florida’s 28 state colleges serve as a powerful engine of opportunity, strengthening families, communities, and the state’s long-term prosperity.
