In our commitment to unleashing the potential of people and ideas, and propelling broad-based prosperity, we ran an extensive study that demonstrates our position as an essential driver of Florida’s economic vitality. UCF is directly supporting the state’s goal to be the 10th-largest economy in the world.
Lightcast’s Economic Impact Study for Higher Education explores UCF’s significant impact on Florida’s economy, as well as the benefits and return on investment the university generates for taxpayers, students, alumni and society. The study reflects data from the 2021-22 fiscal year.
UCF Generated $8.1 Billion in total added income for Florida equivalent to supporting 91,933 jobs in 2021-22
This figure encompasses the economic impacts of UCF alumni in the workforce, plus spending on UCF operations and construction, research and start-up company investments, and spending by students and visitors.
Driving Florida’s Economy and Talent Pipeline
UCF offers strong value as a key economic driver producing talented graduates for high-demand jobs in critical industries, fueling the broad-based prosperity of our state.
While UCF creates economic impact in many ways, the most significant contribution stems from the added human capital — the knowledge, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship — of our alumni.
UCF Alumni Generated $6.7 Billionin added income for Florida’s economy — equivalent to supporting 75,371 jobs — in 2021-22
- 335,000+ UCF alumni as of 2021-22
- 80% of UCF alumni stay and work in Florida and 50% of all UCF alumni are in Central Florida
Meeting the Nursing Demand
As Florida faces a critical nursing shortage, we’re stepping up to the challenge. UCF is expanding our nursing programs and providing innovative training solutions to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Around 260 UCF nurses enter the workforce each year and 85% of UCF nurses stay in the state, with 13,600 to date. Plus, with $43 million in state funding and $26 million raised in philanthropic dollars, UCF is building a larger, more technologically advanced nursing education facility: the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona. After it opens in 2025-26, UCF will produce over 50% more highly skilled nursing graduates annually.
Alumni Impacts in Engineering and Tech
Engineering, science and technology-based fields are among Florida’s top industries employing UCF alumni who are generating the most added income for the state economy. As a result of their UCF education, our alumni receive higher earnings and increase the productivity of the businesses that employ them.
In 2021-22, UCF alumni in Florida generated an impact of:
through the professional, scientific and technical services industry, including engineering, computer systems design, research and development services
through the information industry, including telecommunications and data processing
through the manufacturing industry, including equipment, electronics, machinery and chemical manufacturing
Our strong academic programs — paired with our longstanding relationships and growing network of powerful industry connections — further fuel Florida’s economy and talent pipeline.
UCF Alumni Power Central Florida’s Top Companies
29% of employees earned UCF degrees
25% of Orlando employees earned UCF degrees
20% of Orlando employees earned UCF degrees
Powering a Tech Talent Machine
The public is taking notice of what researchers and corporations have known for years: Central Florida is one of the most valuable centers of tech research and talent in the nation, and UCF is the academic anchor. As a catalyst for industry growth, UCF is driving innovation and producing workforce-ready graduates to support our region’s robust economy.
Key Collaborations
Across Industries
With a foundation built on industry connections and a focus on workforce development, UCF is a university where there are no boundaries between our campuses and industry. This synergy creates unique opportunities for our people to research, learn and innovate in a way that directly benefits our region and society.
UCF’s career and internship connections include:
“[UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy] continues to be a major source of talent for our EA development studio in Orlando and an important talent pipeline for Florida’s growing experience economy.”
“Universal Parks & Resorts has closely collaborated with UCF for many years, providing learning opportunities for students and faculty. … We are proud to support the next generation of themed entertainment innovators.”
High Rate of Return
for UCF Students
UCF offers students a strong return on their investment — including unrivaled opportunities for careers in fields from engineering to healthcare to hospitality management — demonstrating the exceptional value of a UCF degree.
As Florida’s premier engineering and technology university, we not only attract exceptional STEM students to stay in Florida, but also bring in highly skilled out-of-state students.
Annual Earnings
(on average) for a person with a UCF’s bachelor’s degree than a person with a high school diploma in Florida
Annual earnings increase as UCF students pursue advanced degrees.
Students Receive* Higher Future Earnings Averaging$7.70 for every $1they invest in their UCF education*over the course of students’ working lives
23.4%Rate of Return
(on average) for UCF students’ investment of time and money in their education
UCF produces a favorable return, especially compared to other investment opportunities like the 9.6% return on stocks and bonds (30-year average return) or the 0.4% return on a standard bank savings account.
Relocated and Retained UCF Students Generated$253 millionin added income for the Florida economy in 2021-22
“It was my UCF education — along with many other opportunities provided to me by NASA — that allowed me to pursue a career beyond my wildest dreams.”
Return Benefits for
Taxpayers and Society
UCF offers taxpayers a strong return on their investment in our university — which is simultaneously an investment in our state’s economy and prosperity.
UCF’s presence expands the state economy and creates a wide range of positive social benefits that accrue to taxpayers and society in general within Florida. This includes added tax revenue stemming from UCF students’ higher lifetime earnings and the increased output of businesses — on top of savings to the public sector due to reduced demand for government-funded social services in the state.
Taxpayers Receive* an Average Return of$2.70 for Every $1of public money invested in UCF
*over the course of students’ working lives
This benefit-cost ratio of 2.7 means UCF is a good public investment because the taxes from UCF students’ higher earnings and reduced government expenditures not only recover taxpayer costs, but also grow the Florida tax base.
Society Receives* an Average Return of$14.70 for Every $1invested in UCF
*over the course of students’ working lives
This benefit-cost ratio of 14.7 means UCF is a good investment because not only does the productivity of the Florida workforce increase with the addition of skilled UCF alumni, but so does the productivity of its many businesses across a variety of industries.
Research Spending Strengthens Society
Not only does research spending enable UCF innovators to conduct studies and create inventions that improve our world, but it also benefits Florida’s economy. Research activities positively impact the economy by employing people and requiring the purchase of equipment and other supplies and services.
UCF Generated
$238.2 Million
in research funding added to the Florida economy — equivalent to supporting 2,861 jobs — in 2021-22
98 inventions were developed by UCF researchers, in addition to securing 67 patents and 32 licenses in 2021-22
UCF start-up companies generated $34.2 million in added income for the Florida economy — equivalent to supporting 198 jobs — in 2021-22
Building Businesses With UCF Innovators
Through a $6 million U.S. National Science Foundation-sponsored project, UCF is working with the Orange County government to turn research and technologies developed at our university into viable businesses by connecting researchers with industry, investors and entrepreneurs. The UCF Venture Lab provides free business-development coaching and support services to our campus as well as local communities.
Together, We’re Creating a Better Tomorrow
UCF’s Economic Impact Study highlights the profound and far-reaching effects our university has on Florida’s economy. As a launchpad for new generations of leaders, doers and creators, UCF not only drives economic growth, but also fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. Our collective efforts at UCF contribute significantly to the success and prosperity of our state and society — ensuring a brighter future for all.
