HARRISBURG — the State System of Higher Education, which includes Slippery Rock University, generates more than $6.7 billion annually in economic activity, according to a study by the state system released Wednesday.

The state system produces nearly $11 in economic impact for every $1 invested by the state government through its annual appropriation.

“That’s a tremendous return on investment,” said state system Chancellor Frank Brogan.

Nearly 90 percent of the students who attend the 14 state system universities are state residents; almost 80 percent of those will stay here after receiving their degrees to live, to work and to raise their families.

The state system has 12,000 employees, supports about 62,000 jobs statewide.

The total economic impact of the state system itself is $4.4 billion. Another $2.3 billion is generated through jobs that exist because of the universities.

Each university has an average economic impact of $310.2 million and supports about 4,400 external jobs.

Students, faculty and staff of the universities pay a combined $61.1 million in state income and sales taxes. Those whose jobs are supported by the state system pay another $121 million.

The system will receive $412.8 million from the state this year for the universities’ operations and another about $65 million for capital construction.