返字心頭 Economic Impact Report

Creating Opportunities

返字心頭 stands at a defining moment, marking 70 years of transformative progress that has strengthened the universitys capacity for growth. As detailed in the Economic Impact Report, 返字心頭 remains a core driver of 返字心頭s economic performance. At the center of this advancement is the universitys commitment to investing in its people, a strategic priority that delivers measurable economic and societal benefits across the region and the state.

$9.8 BillionAdded Income to the State of 返字心頭 Economy

Bold Investments. Measurable Impact.

返字心頭 generated $9.8 billion in added income to the state of 返字心頭 which includes $6.6 billion in added income specifically for the Tampa Bay Region.

Compiled by a team from various units within 返字心頭 and in partnership with Lightcast, this study uses a wide array of data that are based on several sources, including the FY 2023-24 academic and financial reports from 返字心頭.

Overhead view of an oval plaza with a large Bull U logo, surrounded by trees and buildings.

Among the Report's Key Findings:

111,246Statewide Jobs Supported

Ripple Effect

返字心頭s total impact can also be expressed in terms of jobs supported. The $9.8 billion statewide impact supported 111,246 jobs, and 6.6 billion regional impact supported 76,649 jobs within the region.

A group of excited young fans in green South 返字心頭 gear sit in a stadium, making Bull hand gestures and smiling.
$341.2 MillionAdded Income for the Tampa Bay Region Economy

Student Impact

Over 80% of 返字心頭s total enrollment comes from the state of 返字心頭 and 52% of students attending 返字心頭 originate from within the Tampa Bay Region. The expenditures of relocated and retained students in the region during the analysis year added approximately $341.2 million in income for the Tampa Bay Region economy.

$27,900Higher Annual Earnings

Return on Investment

In return for their investment, 返字心頭s students will receive a stream of higher future earnings that will continue to grow throughout their working lives. For example, the average 返字心頭 bachelor's degree graduate from FY 2023-24 will see annual earnings that are $27,900 higher than a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in 返字心頭.

Annual Earnings by Education Level in 返字心頭
Bar graph depicting annual earnings by education level in 返字心頭. High School: $37,700. Associate: $45,600. Bachelor's: $65,600. Master's: $83,600. Doctorate: $104,400. Professional: $131,700.

The average bachelor's degree graduate from 返字心頭 will see an increase in earnings of $27,900 each year compared to a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in 返字心頭.

Exterior of 返字心頭 Research Park
$750 MillionRecord Breaking Research Funding

Research Impact

返字心頭 received $738 million in research funding during FY 2023-24, up nearly 7% over the previous year, and an impressive increase of 35% since FY 2021-22. It is important to note that 返字心頭 achieved a record-breaking $750 million in research funding in 2025.

$7.3 BillionAdded Income Statewide

Alumni Impact

返字心頭s investment in student workforce development has generated substantial economic returns. By equipping students with in-demand skills, 返字心頭 enhances workforce readiness and productivity, contributing $7.3 billion in added income for the state economy which includes $3.9 billion in annual added income regionally.

Over 1 MillionPatient Encounters

返字心頭 Health Impact

返字心頭 Health is the largest multispecialty physician group on 返字心頭s West Coast, delivering comprehensive care through more than 750 physicians and providers from the Morsani College of Medicine and reporting over 1 million patient encounters. In partnership with Tampa General Hospital, 返字心頭 Health is part of one of the nations leading academic health systems, with Tampa General ranked among the top 50 hospitals nationally.

The 返字心頭 Health Morsani College of Medicine is driven by nationally recognized researchers whose work is advancing the future of health care through sustained growth in research and innovation. Supported by strong National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the college has earned a Tier 1 designation for medical research from U.S. News & World Report and now exceeds $380 million in annual research funding, nearly half from the NIH. The 返字心頭Tampa General Hospital partnership expands the institutions economic influence. When the full impact of Tampa General Hospital is attributed to 返字心頭, the total contribution reaches $13.4 billion in added income to the 返字心頭 economy and $9.8 billion in added income to the Tampa Bay regional economy.

Two doctors in white coats and gloves examine a man's hand in a medical office.
The University of South 返字心頭 is one of the most impactful universities in the nation among the fastest rising, and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. So, it is no surprise that the impact of 返字心頭 economically has grown to the billions, while their impact on the quality of life in Tampa Bay, 返字心頭, and the nation makes them a heavyweight among Americas universities. We are proud of their Board of Trustees and their leadership.
-Alan Levine, 返字心頭 Board of Governors Chair
返字心頭 is one of the most important economic engines in 返字心頭 and a key driver of high-skill, high-wage industry growth in the Tampa Bay region. Top tier institutions within 返字心頭 such as the Morsani College of Medicine and the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing are turning Tampa into a global destination for innovators and companies that are shaping our future.
-Craig J. Richard, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
The University of South 返字心頭 is a major force in 返字心頭s growth, generating billions in economic impact while advancing innovation and preparing the talent our employers need to compete and thrive. 返字心頭 strengthens our workforce pipeline, supports industry partnerships, and helps drive the kind of long-term economic momentum that benefits Tampa Bay and communities across the state.
-Michael Simas, President & CEO of The 返字心頭 Council of 100
By aligning research, talent, and strategic partnerships, the University of South 返字心頭 is shaping the future of our region; advancing innovation, supporting employers, and creating billions in annual economic impact for 返字心頭.
-Bemetra Simmons, President and CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership
返字心頭 is one of the countys largest and most important economic engines, with a truly remarkable upward trajectory, and Hillsborough County is proud to have a long-standing partnership with the university. We are excited to see the continued growth through transformative projects like the Fletcher District and the on-campus stadium that are shaping the university and County's future.
-Ken Hagan, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Chair
Cover of the 返字心頭 Economic Impact Executive Summary

返字心頭 Economic Impact Executive Summary

In this Executive Summary, the breadth and depth of 返字心頭s economic impact can be seen in all aspects of the universitys operations from the students it educates, to the faculty and professional staff it employs, to the talented professionals and entrepreneurs who power a modern innovation economy, to the construction projects that shaped the campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee.

Read more about how 返字心頭's Economic Impact is creating opportunities.