Powering Florida’s Workforce & Economy
The Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) invites you to discover the latest insights on how the
Florida College System (FCS) drives economic growth, workforce development, and opportunity across the state.
The Economic Value
In October 2025, Lightcast, a leading provider of economic impact studies and labor market data for educational institutions, partnered with Florida College System member colleges to release a report assessing the impact of Florida’s public colleges on the state’s economy and the benefits they generate for students, taxpayers, and society.
Key findings from the report include:
- “Every Floridian benefits from investments in the Florida College System.”
- For every dollar invested in the Florida College System in FY 2023-2024, Floridians receive $13.30 in return.
- The Florida College System generates an additional $56.7 billion in income, 640,484 jobs supported.
- For every dollar invested in the Florida College System, taxpayers receive $2.42 in return over the course of the students’ working lives, realizing a 6.2% annual rate of return on their invesment.
- Students see an average rate of return of 21.2% on their investment of time and money, adding a cumulative present value of $14.5 billion for themselves over their working lives..
- The activities of Florida’s public colleges and their students support one out of every 24 jobs in the state.
- The system’s greatest economic impact comes from the added human capital — knowledge, creativity, imagination, and entrepreneurship — found in its alumni. Students and alumni add $51 billion annually to Florida’s economy.
Where Education Meets Economic Growth
For ten consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Florida College System as No. 1 in workforce education. It’s no surprise that Florida leads the nation in attracting skilled talent with over 90% of graduates remaining in the state, working or continuing their education within a year.
Explore the resources below to see how Florida’s colleges are driving the state’s workforce and economic growth.
For more information or media inquiries, contact Tony Carvajal, CEO/Executive Director of the Association of Florida Colleges at 850.523.1510.
An Engine of Opportunity
In November 2025, the Helios Education Foundation, in partnership with the Association of Florida Colleges, released a research brief highlighting how the Florida College System drives Florida’s economy.
The report shows that prioritizing access, affordability, and workforce alignment produces measurable benefits for both individuals and the state:
- Investments in the FCS yield enduring returns. More than 90% of FCS graduates remain in Florida where their earnings strengthen the tax base and support business growth. These effects compound over time, contributing to a more resilient and adaptable state economy.
- The activity of Florida’s public colleges and their students sustains one out of every 24 jobs in the state.
- Florida’s colleges are tightly aligned with employer demand, which explains why Florida’s employment growth has consistently outpaced national averages, even as other states struggle to fill middle-skill jobs.
- There is a 6.6-to-1 benefit-cost ratio for students which reflects the substantial wage premium associated with FCS degrees and credentials.
- Florida College System alumni working in Florida contributed $51 billion in income over the year, reflecting the increased productivity and earnings from their education.
- The state’s investment in the Florida College System yields a demonstrable fiscal return from increased tax revenues due to higher earnings and stronger business output, as well as reduced public expenditures.
