A new study examining Florida’s higher education landscape says independent colleges and universities are delivering an enviable ROI. The ICUF and EASE Efficiency Study, released Wednesday by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, evaluates tuition costs, student access, operational efficiency and taxpayer return across Florida’s higher education system. “With less than 2% of the state’s higher education budget, ICUF institutions produce 20% of all undergraduate degrees awarded in Florida,” ICUF President and CEO Bob Boyd said. “Florida’s higher education success story is built on a diverse ecosystem,” Boyd said. “This study shows that independent, nonprofit colleges are an essential part of that system.