Penn State University has a larger impact on Pennsylvania's economy than professional sports, airports, and arts and cultural organizations combined.

According to a new report done by Tripp Umbach & Associates, Penn State, which generated $6.14 billion in 2003, has one of the largest economic impacts of all the universities the company has studied nationwide.

"Penn State represents the single largest generator of economic impact in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Paul Umbach, the company's president and CEO, said. "The economic impact of Penn State has continued to grow."

Dirk Mateer, co-director of undergraduate studies in economics, said the economic impact would interest students in the long term.

"Penn State's influence across the commonwealth and beyond gives graduates the opportunity to leverage their skills in many directions, and this is unique to Penn State," he said.

He said the larger scope and magnitude of Penn State gives students an opportunity sometimes not available to students of "smaller institutions."

"It's nice to know that a big enterprise like Penn State has a big outreach," he said.

The economic impact study also included an alumni survey, which determined that Penn State alumni employed full time earn $9,854 more than "the average college graduate within the commonwealth."

Factors included in the report are 35,000 full- and part-time jobs generated by Penn State, student and faculty spending, and university spending for goods and services.

According to the study, Penn State generated more than $492 million in tax revenue, or about $1.56 for every $1 in state appropriation. Tax revenues include those generated by operations and payroll taxes.

Penn State President Graham Spanier said at a presentation yesterday morning that he had "no idea" what the study would find when it was commissioned last February.

He said the study helps support the fact that the university needs more state funding.

"We do need additional investment from state government," he said.

Spanier said the university has generated positive economic impact by being "entrepreneurial."

"I was somewhat surprised to see the huge economic impact of the university in relation to other areas," he said. "To know that Penn State's impact is equivalent to all of those combined, and then some, is impressive."

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the study helped to determine more precise numbers regarding the university's economic importance to the surrounding area.

"It's another validation of the positive impact an enormous comprehensive institution such as Penn State has," he said.

Umbach said the economic impact of Penn State's main campus is similar to other universities.

"It compares favorably to other Big Ten schools," he said. "It's the other [Commonwealth] Campuses and cooperative extension that makes a difference."

Umbach said the economic impact of organizations is usually one to one and a half times their operating budget.

"[Penn State's economic impact] is about three times the operating budget," he said, "[because] there are so many dollars flowing in from outside."

The economic impact study was conducted from February to October of this year.