West Virginia University contributed nearly $4 billion in various ways to the state's economy in 2007, according to a study released Tuesday by WVU's Bureau Business and Economic Research.

That's a $19 return for every dollar the state Legislature spends on the university, WVU President Mike Garrison said at the state Capitol Tuesday.

"What we are highlighting today is the tremendous return WVU gives to this state," Garrison said.

The most important investment the Legislature can make is in higher education, he said.

According to the study, WVU, along with its regional campuses and medical facilities, accounted for 35,700 jobs and $1.15 billion in employee compensation.

That includes 19,678 people directly employed with WVU or one of its affiliates.

The study includes business volume, employment, employee compensation, output, value added and assorted state taxes in its estimate of "economic impact."

In 2007, WVU and its affiliate organizations received $203.2 million in state appropriations," said Tom Witt, director of WVU's Bureau Business and Economic Research.

"It is well-known that WVU has a major impact on West Virginia through its education, economic development, research, health care and service programs," Witt said in a news release. "This report shows that WVU and affiliated organizations also have profound economic impact on the state - nearly $4 billion annually."

That's a $19 return for every dollar the state Legislature spends on the university, WVU President Mike Garrison said at the state Capitol Tuesday.

"What we are highlighting today is the tremendous return WVU gives to this state," Garrison said.

The most important investment the Legislature can make is in higher education, he said.

According to the study, WVU, along with its regional campuses and medical facilities, accounted for 35,700 jobs and $1.15 billion in employee compensation.

That includes 19,678 people directly employed with WVU or one of its affiliates.

The study includes business volume, employment, employee compensation, output, value added and assorted state taxes in its estimate of "economic impact."

In 2007, WVU and its affiliate organizations received $203.2 million in state appropriations," said Tom Witt, director of WVU's Bureau Business and Economic Research.

"It is well-known that WVU has a major impact on West Virginia through its education, economic development, research, health care and service programs," Witt said in a news release. "This report shows that WVU and affiliated organizations also have profound economic impact on the state - nearly $4 billion annually."

In 2007, Witt noted, the state's $203.2 million investment in WVU also generated at least $57.4 million in taxes paid back to the state.

By comparison, in a study of the economic impact of the university for the fiscal year 2004, WVU had an impact of more than $2 billion and accounted for 28,603 jobs with salaries and benefits totally $818.5 million.

As the university continues to grow and as it brings in more students, its economic impact on the state will continue to increase, Witt said. The state and individual communities affiliated with the university are and will continue to benefit from what the business WVU generates, he said.

WVU on-campus students in Morgantown spent about $14,000  each, and off-campus students spent about $16,000 each.

Money spent on WVU football and men's basketball tickets were also included in the study. Total season attendance to the university football program was 411,408 with ticket prices about $35 each.

WVU men's basketball games brought in 169,557 people during the season and spend about $20.50 a ticket.

Witt said the study is a conservative look at the university's economic impact on the state. He said the university conducts the study about every three years. The next study will come around 2010, he said.

To contact staff writer Veronica Nett, use e-mail or call 348-5113.