In service to state, WVU, WVU Health System pump more than $14B into West Virginia economy, landmark study finds

Together, West Virginia University and the WVU Health System serve as anchors of education and health care while fueling economic and community growth across West Virginia, according to a new study detailing the University's most comprehensive impact ever reported.

Conducted by national consulting firm Tripp Umbach, the study quantifies the combined annual statewide impact of the entities at $14.3 billion, making up 17% of West Virginia's total gross domestic product and contributing $890 million in state and local taxes.

The total covers spending by WVU and the WVU Health System - under the WVU Medicine brand - along with employees, patients and visitors, plus downstream contributions from vendors, suppliers and household spending.

In all, the activity supports more than 84,000 jobs, or one out of every nine jobs in West Virginia, and the impact extends beyond the Mountain State's borders.

Nationally, WVU and the WVU Health System contribute $21.6 billion to the U.S. economy, which breaks down to $4.8 billion from WVU and $16.8 billion from WVU Health System. They also support and sustain more than 149,000 jobs and generate $1 billion in tax revenue nationwide.

"The combined strength of West Virginia's flagship, land-grant University and the state's largest integrated health system form a unified academic, research, and clinical enterprise with benefits far beyond our classrooms and clinics," University President Michael T. Bensonsaid.

"As I travel across the state and country, it is clear wherever the 'Flying WV' is placed, it brings a shared sense of pride, purpose, and reassurance. WVU stands for a quality education, trusted health care, jobs, community, and hope for a better future. And we are just getting started."

The University alone is credited with creating 28,295 jobs, through either direct or indirect employment across the WVU System.

"By investing in our people, culture, infrastructure, and finances, we are strengthening the firm connections between education, health care, and quality of life," President Benson said. "We thank our partners across the WVU Health System who share this mission and these values."

As one of the most powerful economic engines and largest private employer for West Virginia, the WVU Health System continues to grow statewide and across borders into eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, and western Maryland. Home to 25 hospitals and five institutes, the System fuels $11.2 billion in the state's economy and $686.5 million in local and state tax revenue.

The System's investment across the state and region has greatly expanded access to patient care, launched new businesses, and, in partnership with other leading West Virginia providers, founded an insurance company, Peak Health.

"In the short time that has passed since the period covered in this study, we have committed close to $1 billion to capital projects in every corner of our state. Over the next couple of years, we will open multiple outpatient facilities across West Virginia; comprehensive cancer centers in Princeton and Wheeling; a multi-specialty ambulatory facility in Elkins; and a new tower for inpatient care in Martinsburg, among other projects," Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said.

"As a System, we remain laser-focused on our goal to transform rural health care across West Virginia and beyond."

While the WVU Health System delivers accessible, high-quality care, WVU Health Scienceseducates future health care professionals while tackling today's most pressing health care challenges through research and clinical trials. Together, the entities serve as the foundation for the state's health care workforce and clinical training pipeline.

As only one of 11 U.S. universities to offer all five core professional health schools - Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacyand Public Health- WVU Health Sciences is not only a health education leader, but also contributes $811.5 million to West Virginia's economy, supports more than 7,000 jobs, and spurs $40.6 million in state and local taxes.

"Health care careers are among the most sought-after across the country, and at WVU Health Sciences, we are proud to be preparing future health professionals to meet that demand," Dr. Clay Marsh, chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said.

"Across our campuses statewide, we are educating and training nearly 3,900 students and close to 700 residents and fellows to serve as dentists, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, physical and occupational therapists, and other specialties only offered at WVU," he noted.

"More than 2,300 West Virginians are pursuing health careers with us, and nearly 14,400 Health Sciences alumni are caring for people in all 55 counties. We recognize that education and employment are essential to personal well-being, forming a foundation for living longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives."

The University's growing research portfolio ranks WVU among the nation's top research universities. As the only R1 "very high research activity" institution in West Virginia, the WVU research enterprise not only moves technology and innovations off the shelves, but also generates $400.2 million in statewide impact.

The report also refers to the University's growing commercialization ecosystem, including 350 invention disclosures dating to 2020, a portfolio of over 560 patent assets and 32 active IP licenses.

Additionally, the analysis evaluates the contributions by all three campuses at WVU Morgantown, WVU Institute of Technologyand WVU Potomac State College, as well as several key units across the WVU System, including WVU Athleticsand the WVU alumni network.

Football Saturdays transform Morgantown into the most populated city in West Virginia, prompting a surge of visitors. Game day energy ripples across hotels, restaurants, shops, transportation and entertainment, making WVU Athletics responsible for about $1 of every $23 in the state's $9.1 billion tourism economy and stimulating $390 million to the state's economy.

"In my three years living in West Virginia, it became apparent very quickly of the vital importance of West Virginia University, WVU Medicine and WVU Athletics. Those three entities are the driving force in providing major economic impact, growth and stability to this state," Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Bakersaid. "The numbers in the study clearly show what the state's flagship institution means to a strong West Virginia. From an athletics standpoint, we understand the economic and overall importance of the Mountaineers, and we don't take that responsibility lightly."

WVU faculty, staff, students and physicians also contribute $86.3 million in charitable giving and volunteerism, including $46 million in donations and $40.3 million in the value of volunteer service.

Tripp Umbach conducted the comprehensive analysis of the WVU and WVU Health System combined economic and community impact for Fiscal Year 2024.

View the full WVU and WVU Health System economic and community impact report.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Katie Farmer
Executive Director of Strategic Priorities
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
315-256-8509; [email protected]

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