Florida’s future depends on a strong, skilled workforce, and dual enrollment is one of the state’s most powerful tools to get there. As college costs rise and employers face urgent talent shortages, dual enrollment delivers affordable, workforce-aligned education that prepares students for high-demand careers, right here in Florida. These programs accelerate pathways to degrees and industry-relevant skills, saving families money while strengthening the state’s economy. In fact, approximately 90% of graduates from Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) dual enrollment programs remain in Florida, helping to fill critical roles in health care, technology, education, and business.
At FSW, the impact is clear. Last year alone, more than 3,200 students across the five-county region took college courses while still in high school, saving more than $20 million in tuition based on state university rates. In May, 436 high school students earned an associate degree or college certificate weeks before receiving their high school diploma. These students didn’t just save time and money, they gained the confidence to aim higher. One FSW student used dual enrollment as a springboard to a nursing degree and a career in health care. Another, now a graduate student preparing for medical school, credits dual enrollment with setting her on her path.
For working families, the benefits go beyond cost savings. Dual enrollment students are about 1.5 times more likely to earn scholarships and grants than their peers, creating momentum that lasts well beyond high school. The programs expand access for first-generation students and rural students alike. Through multiple campuses, online options, and Early College programs that bring faculty directly into Hendry and Glades County high schools, 91 students there have earned college degrees in the past two years, proving that zip code does not determine future success.
For the college, dual enrollment is an investment in the region’s future. These programs strengthen partnerships with local schools, build recruitment pipelines, and showcase the quality of FSW’s faculty and facilities. Students who succeed in dual enrollment often continue their education with FSW and inspire siblings, peers, and even parents to pursue higher education.
As Florida grows and diversifies, the need for accessible, affordable, and workforce-ready education will only increase. FSW’s dual enrollment programs are meeting that need, delivering immediate relief for families, real opportunities for students, and long-term benefits for the state’s economy. When a high school student sits in a college classroom, confidence grows, horizons widen, and the future feels within reach. These students, earning their degrees alongside their high school diplomas, are Florida’s future leaders, entrepreneurs, and neighbors.
Dr. Jeff Allbritten is president of FSW and Dr. Tammy Caraker is the director of FSW’s Accelerated Pathways program.
