A survey of the students in the Sunshine State Scholars program found Florida is doing a better job keeping the students from heading out of state to continue their education, the Department of Education announced Wednesday.

A survey that contacted 62 of the state’s 67 science, technology, engineering and mathematics scholars from 2011 found that 36 settled into a Florida university or college for their freshman year.

The state DOE noted the Florida Education Foundation-sponsored scholars program has evolved from “a recognition-based ceremony to an event that persuades top students to continue their higher education at Florida’s universities and colleges.”

“When these students stay in Florida and go to our colleges and universities, they improve the quality of the student body, of the research, and of the programs offered,” foundation Executive Director Mary Lee Kiracofe stated in a release. “And, that in turn translates to a stronger workforce.”

Among those staying in Florida, five went to the University of Central Florida, six to Florida State University and 12 to the University of Florida.