~ Four-year graduation rate breaks state record at 66%, an increase of 25 percentage points since 2014 ~
Tallahassee, FL (June 18, 2025) – The Florida Board of Governors approved the 2025 Accountability Plans for each university as well as for the SUS, affirming Florida’s commitment to prioritizing student success. The accountability plans track and evaluate the System’s progress in achieving the vision and goals set forth in SUS 30, the new strategic plan. The SUS has set a record-high four-year graduation rate of 66%, decreased the cost of a bachelor’s degree to $270 when financial aid is included, and increased the median wages of bachelor graduates to $51,000 one year after graduation.
“The State University System of Florida continues to redefine excellence. The results from the 2025 Accountability Plan reaffirm that Florida remains the top state for higher education in the nation,” said Chancellor Rodrigues. “Our institutions are achieving historic milestones which would not be possible without the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and the support of the Florida Legislature.”
“Our State University System delivers an extraordinary impact with record-high graduation rates, unprecedented research expenditures and remarkable outcomes for graduates, all while maintaining affordability. This success is a direct result of the dedication of our university leadership, faculty, staff, and students,” said Brian Lamb, Chair of the Florida Board of Governors. “Through the implementation of the SUS 30 Strategic Plan, the SUS will continue to prioritize student achievement and recruit world-class faculty to ensure our System remains distant best.”
Highlights from the 2025 System Accountability Plan include:
- FIU, UF, FSU and UWF led the SUS with the top three scores (UWF and FSU received the same scores)
- FAMU and New College received the highest increases, 11 and 9 points, respectively.
- The four-year graduation rate increased to 66%, a record high for the System.
- The four-year graduation rate for students completing their bachelor’s degree at the same institution is 64%.
- The four-year graduation rate for Pell recipients increased to 62%.
- The four-year graduation rate for Pell recipients completing their bachelor’s degree at the same institution is 60%.
- The three-year graduation rate for Florida College System Transfers with an Associate of Arts degree increased to 64%.
- The average cost of a bachelor’s degree drastically decreased from $1,310 to $270 after including financial aid.
- The number of first-time-in-college students returning for their sophomore year at the same institution increased to 90%.
- For the first time in SUS history, research expenditures exceeded $3 billion, an increase of $200 million from the previous year.
- The percentage of bachelor’s graduates enrolled or employed one year after graduation increased to 74.4%.
- The median wages of bachelor’s graduates employed one year after graduation increased to $51,000, an improvement of $10,000 in four years.
The 2025 System Accountability Plan summarizes the data from each university’s accountability. The System’s plan and the accountability plan for each institution can be found on the June meeting page of the Florida Board of Governors website.
On January 30, 2025, the Board of Governors approved SUS 30, the System’s new strategic plan, which will deliver an extraordinary impact for students and the state. SUS 30 defines the mission, vision, values, and priority areas that will guide the System through 2030.
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About the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The System has 12 universities and more than 430,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Florida has held the top spot in U.S. News & World Report for higher education since the inception of the rankings in 2017. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the System’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. For more information, visit flbog.edu or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.