When people ask what a college is “worth,” I point to the numbers. According to a report just published by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics, Tallahassee State College (TSC) contributes $296.5 million to our regional economy annually and supports 4,214 local jobs. That means one out of every 64 jobs in our area is connected to TSC. Those aren’t abstract figures; they represent families paying mortgages, small businesses hiring employees, and employers finding the skilled talent they need to grow.
How do we create that impact? Start with our day-to-day operations. TSC employs 1,459 people with a local payroll of $79.3 million and spends an additional $56.8 million on facilities, supplies, and professional services.
When Lightcast accounts for how much of that money circulates locally, the result is $125 million in total added income across the region. Add the students who come here, or stay here, because of TSC and you’ll find another $29.6 million in annual spending on housing, groceries, and local services. Then consider our alumni. The knowledge and skills they bring to the workplace generate $142 million in annual income that stays here. That’s what a thriving talent pipeline looks like.
TSC is also a smart investment for students, taxpayers, and the state. Students who invest in a TSC education see $8.30 back in higher lifetime earnings for every dollar they spend, with an average annual return of 23.3%. Taxpayers receive $2.10 back for every public dollar invested, with an average annual return of 4.7%. When you add broader social benefits like better health outcomes and greater civic engagement, Floridians realize $11.80 in total returns for every dollar invested. The impact continues over a lifetime, with $1.9 billion in projected economic growth and $40.7 million in public and private savings.
These local results reflect a statewide trend. Lightcast’s 2024 Talent Attraction Scorecard ranked Florida #1 in the nation for the third consecutive year for attracting and developing a skilled workforce. That success is no accident. It’s the result of a state that values workforce education and colleges like TSC that align closely with employer needs in health care, public safety, IT, and advanced manufacturing.
If we want prosperity that reaches every neighborhood, we must continue investing in what works: programs that lead to good jobs, apprenticeships that help students earn while they learn, and pathways that make higher education accessible and affordable. The math is clear. Investing in TSC means investing in the economic future of this community and the people who make it thrive.
Jim Murdaugh is president of Tallahassee State College.
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Tallahassee State College’s economic impact is impressive
