College presidents are getting healthy raises, and a dozen at private universities earn $1 million or more including benefits, according to a new survey published Monday.
Salaries at public universities remain a tier lower but also are on the rise, with eight presidents earning $700,000 or more last year, six more than the year before, according to the annual survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
In Montana, the presidents of the two major universities are paid a little under $200,000 a year. That’s 65 percent of the average for institutions that confer doctorates, according to the Montana university system.
Presidential salaries are facing closer scrutiny at a time when college prices continue to rise well above the rate of inflation.
The survey published Monday reports salaries from private colleges for 2005-2006, the latest year for which they are available. Figures for public colleges are for 2006-2007.
Of the 12 presidents earning $1 million or more, only three continue to lead their institutions.
Richard Freeland, who stepped down in August 2006 at Northeastern University, was identified as the highest-paid president, with $2,887,775 in total compensation, including $2,373,285 in benefits. James P. Gallagher, who stepped down at Philadelphia University, had $2,557,219 in total compensation.
