Florida Polytechnic University contributes more than $952 million in annual economic activity to the state, according to a new study by economist Rick Harper .

Florida Poly, located in Lakeland, is the state’s only public institution dedicated exclusively to science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. The school has been ranked the No. 1 public college in the South for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report.

The university is also among the schools with the highest-value degrees based on cost , with a return on investment of 163%, according to an analysis by EDsmart.

Harper’s analysis found that the STEM-focused university adds more than $523 million each year to Florida’s gross domestic product, including about $117 million within Polk County.

The

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