President pay at private US universities, ranked
This list ranks 137 of the largest private US universities and colleges by what they paid their president, using each university's latest full-year IRS Form 990. Every row links to the return it comes from. This is a partial list: 331 of the 471 universities that meet the definition do not have pages on this site yet.
Last updated from IRS e-file data.
What counts as a university here
Private nonprofit colleges and universities, including stand-alone medical schools, whose latest full-year Form 990 reports at least $100 million in total revenue (Part I, line 12). 471 clear that floor; 331 of them do not have pages on this site yet. Each row uses the university's own return; foundations and investment companies are never shown in its place.
Public universities are part of state government and file no Form 990, so they are not here. Three state-related universities that file their own return and pay their president on it are included: Pitt, Temple and the University of Delaware.
The row shows the person whose filed title makes them the university's president or chancellor or, where no one has that title, the chief executive, even where a coach, investment officer or physician on the same return is paid more. 5 presidents are reported at $0 and listed last, without a share of revenue. Three more that meet the definition, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and WGU Corporation, aren't ranked because their latest full-year returns list no paid lead person.
The ranking
The president (or chancellor) on each university's latest full-year return. Each row is a different return, so each links to its own filing.
The percentile compares each row's pay / revenue with the 132 universities on this site, as each organization's own page does. It stays within the sector because the site has at least 20 of them. The group has 132 members where this list has 137 rows because it leaves out the 5 rows with pay reported as $0.
| Rank | Organization and president | Total pay | Year ending | Revenue | Pay / revenue | Share percentile | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | President TRUSTEE & PRES.- AS OF 3/13/25 | $8,043,343 | Jun 2025 | $11,670,540,000 | 0.07% | 19% | Filing |
| 2 | CEO TRUSTEE - CEO TJU/JEFF HEALTH | $7,010,762 | Jun 2025 | $1,581,285,779 | 0.44% | 90% | Filing |
| 3 | CEO CEO University of Miami, CEO UHealth | $6,737,344 | May 2025 | $7,039,401,641 | 0.10% | 28% | Filing |
| 4 | President PRESIDENT | $5,881,203 | May 2025 | $501,892,632 | 1.17% | 100% | Filing |
| 5 | President PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE | $5,871,487 | Jun 2025 | $10,623,431,000 | 0.06% | 16% | Filing |
| 6 | President President | $5,736,005 | Jun 2025 | $952,827,667 | 0.60% | 93% | Filing |
| 7 | President PRESIDENT/CEO, EXECUTIVE DEAN | $4,716,352 | Jun 2025 | $2,979,794,649 | 0.16% | 50% | Filing |
| 8 | President PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | $4,301,294 | Jun 2025 | $5,927,980,342 | 0.07% | 20% | Filing |
| 9 | Chancellor Chancellor | $3,499,401 | May 2025 | $1,250,018,653 | 0.28% | 79% | Filing |
| 10 | Chancellor Chancellor (Schedule O) | $3,416,810 | Jun 2025 | $2,818,556,976 | 0.12% | 34% | Filing |
| 11 | President President | $3,203,132 | Jun 2025 | $354,489,000 | 0.90% | 97% | Filing |
| 12 | President PRESIDENT/EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEE | $3,155,276 | Jun 2025 | $2,498,102,199 | 0.13% | 38% | Filing |
| 13 | President President/Trustee | $3,045,428 | Jun 2025 | $3,159,117,922 | 0.10% | 29% | Filing |
| 14 | President PRESIDENT | $3,033,323 | May 2025 | $1,558,351,465 | 0.19% | 64% | Filing |
| 15 | President President | $3,024,831 | Aug 2025 | $7,861,969,527 | 0.04% | 9% | Filing |
| 16 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $2,954,989 | Aug 2025 | $12,394,252,993 | 0.02% | 3% | Filing |
| 17 | President President | $2,851,000 | Jun 2025 | $1,943,508,000 | 0.15% | 46% | Filing |
| 18 | President PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY/SECRETARY OF THE BOARD | $2,681,214 | Jun 2025 | $947,238,621 | 0.28% | 80% | Filing |
| 19 | President PRESIDENT | $2,570,058 | May 2025 | $508,869,741 | 0.51% | 93% | Filing |
| 20 | President PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE | $2,553,560 | Jun 2025 | $535,402,202 | 0.48% | 92% | Filing |
| 21 | President PRESIDENT (UNTIL 06/25) | $2,418,290 | Jun 2025 | $281,005,704 | 0.86% | 96% | Filing |
| 22 | Chancellor CHANCELLOR | $2,382,064 | Jun 2025 | $5,899,375,814 | 0.04% | 11% | Filing |
| 23 | President President/Trustee | $2,319,722 | May 2025 | $1,181,490,564 | 0.20% | 66% | Filing |
| 24 | President PRESIDENT | $2,296,028 | Jun 2025 | $482,651,024 | 0.48% | 91% | Filing |
| 25 | President President & CEO | $2,259,716 | Jun 2025 | $318,398,057 | 0.71% | 95% | Filing |
| 26 | President PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | $2,200,045 | Jun 2025 | $4,754,345,666 | 0.05% | 12% | Filing |
| 27 | President President | $2,151,788 | Jun 2025 | $6,737,799,000 | 0.03% | 7% | Filing |
| 28 | President President, Ex Officio | $2,148,720 | Jun 2025 | $1,735,353,050 | 0.12% | 37% | Filing |
| 29 | President TRUSTEE/PRESIDENTSee notes 1, 2. | $2,131,084 | Jun 2025 | $1,684,644,684 | 0.13% | 38% | Filing |
| 30 | President President and Trustee Ex-Officio | $2,108,837 | Jun 2025 | $2,261,775,916 | 0.09% | 25% | Filing |
| 31 | President President | $2,085,890 | Aug 2025 | $4,056,663,344 | 0.05% | 14% | Filing |
| 32 | President PRESIDENT | $2,082,741 | Jun 2025 | $5,617,072,703 | 0.04% | 9% | Filing |
| 33 | President President | $2,074,566 | Jun 2025 | $1,635,701,788 | 0.13% | 39% | Filing |
| 34 | President President (thru 11/21/2024) | $2,028,496 | Jun 2025 | $174,023,542 | 1.17% | 99% | Filing |
| 35 | President PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE | $1,974,823 | Jun 2025 | $229,487,179 | 0.86% | 96% | Filing |
| 36 | President PRESIDENT, CEO, TRUSTEE retired May 19, 2025 | $1,968,182 | Jun 2025 | $555,672,877 | 0.35% | 87% | Filing |
| 37 | President PRESIDENT/FELLOW | $1,953,784 | Jun 2025 | $2,055,944,018 | 0.10% | 27% | Filing |
| 38 | President President & Board Member (until 11/21/24)See note 3. | $1,947,390 | Jun 2025 | $2,296,035,338 | 0.08% | 22% | Filing |
| 39 | President TRUSTEE/PRESIDENT AND CEO | $1,947,303 | Jun 2025 | $1,758,334,139 | 0.11% | 32% | Filing |
| 40 | President President - Ex Officio | $1,907,439 | Jun 2025 | $2,041,697,367 | 0.09% | 25% | Filing |
| 41 | President PRESIDENT/EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEE | $1,897,658 | May 2025 | $757,765,974 | 0.25% | 74% | Filing |
| 42 | President President & Trustee | $1,883,267 | Jun 2025 | $843,176,173 | 0.22% | 70% | Filing |
| 43 | President PRESIDENT (TO 9/30/24) | $1,880,879 | Jun 2025 | $1,465,915,989 | 0.13% | 40% | Filing |
| 44 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $1,846,798 | Jun 2025 | $1,225,879,469 | 0.15% | 48% | Filing |
| 45 | President CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT | $1,845,442 | Jun 2025 | $1,968,534,790 | 0.09% | 26% | Filing |
| 46 | President PRESIDENT | $1,841,355 | Jun 2025 | $1,195,599,660 | 0.15% | 48% | Filing |
| 47 | President PRESIDENT (THROUGH 8/14/24) | $1,826,091 | Jun 2025 | $7,512,150,787 | 0.02% | 4% | Filing |
| 48 | President TRUSTEE, PRES & CEO | $1,803,590 | Jun 2025 | $6,415,541,241 | 0.03% | 6% | Filing |
| 49 | President President/CEO through 1/1/2025See note 4. | $1,800,665 | Jun 2025 | $1,062,017,634 | 0.17% | 57% | Filing |
| 50 | President PRESIDENT | $1,790,552 | Jun 2025 | $456,475,330 | 0.39% | 89% | Filing |
| 51 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $1,753,140 | Sep 2025 | $3,531,221,000 | 0.05% | 13% | Filing |
| 52 | President PRESIDENT (AS OF 7/1/24) | $1,704,300 | Jun 2025 | $3,513,830,353 | 0.05% | 12% | Filing |
| 53 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $1,682,191 | Jun 2025 | $741,185,768 | 0.23% | 71% | Filing |
| 54 | President PRESIDENT | $1,657,737 | Jun 2025 | $3,208,577,000 | 0.05% | 15% | Filing |
| 55 | President PRESIDENT | $1,656,133 | May 2025 | $171,685,559 | 0.96% | 98% | Filing |
| 56 | President President (Schedule O) | $1,642,838 | Jun 2025 | $8,323,235,933 | 0.02% | 3% | Filing |
| 57 | President PRESIDENT | $1,638,758 | Jun 2025 | $501,709,667 | 0.33% | 84% | Filing |
| 58 | President PRESIDENT/CEO | $1,609,483 | Jun 2025 | $230,492,050 | 0.70% | 94% | Filing |
| 59 | President PRESIDENT | $1,593,942 | Jun 2025 | $458,410,394 | 0.35% | 85% | Filing |
| 60 | President PRESIDENT (THRU 06/30/2025) | $1,586,183 | Jun 2025 | $381,995,828 | 0.42% | 90% | Filing |
| 61 | President PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | $1,564,885 | Aug 2025 | $10,152,608,690 | 0.02% | 1% | Filing |
| 62 | President PRESIDENT | $1,524,281 | Jun 2025 | $575,678,695 | 0.26% | 75% | Filing |
| 63 | President PRESIDENT | $1,523,193 | Jun 2025 | $1,689,371,610 | 0.09% | 24% | Filing |
| 64 | President PRESIDENT | $1,496,104 | Aug 2025 | $491,250,945 | 0.30% | 82% | Filing |
| 65 | President PRESIDENT | $1,421,925 | Jun 2025 | $1,173,696,705 | 0.12% | 33% | Filing |
| 66 | President PRESIDENT | $1,420,097 | Jun 2025 | $490,649,347 | 0.29% | 81% | Filing |
| 67 | President PRES./EX OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER | $1,414,844 | Jun 2025 | $382,192,696 | 0.37% | 87% | Filing |
| 68 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $1,405,700 | Jun 2025 | $7,482,422,861 | 0.02% | 2% | Filing |
| 69 | President PRESIDENT | $1,388,761 | Jun 2025 | $397,387,941 | 0.35% | 86% | Filing |
| 70 | President PRESIDENTSee note 5. | $1,381,449 | Aug 2025 | $368,720,585 | 0.37% | 88% | Filing |
| 71 | President PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE | $1,374,453 | Jun 2025 | $443,190,970 | 0.31% | 83% | Filing |
| 72 | President PRESIDENT (THRU 11/1/24)See note 6. | $1,371,189 | Jun 2025 | $496,910,407 | 0.28% | 77% | Filing |
| 73 | President President | $1,364,215 | Jun 2025 | $486,737,193 | 0.28% | 80% | Filing |
| 74 | President PRESIDENT, CEO AND TRUSTEE | $1,361,965 | Jun 2025 | $495,829,313 | 0.27% | 77% | Filing |
| 75 | President Trustee & University President | $1,356,483 | Jun 2025 | $1,556,567,693 | 0.09% | 23% | Filing |
| 76 | President President | $1,339,336 | Aug 2025 | $733,581,247 | 0.18% | 60% | Filing |
| 77 | President PRESIDENT | $1,325,414 | Jun 2025 | $423,688,130 | 0.31% | 83% | Filing |
| 78 | President PRESIDENT & CEO | $1,323,005 | Jul 2025 | $755,116,691 | 0.18% | 58% | Filing |
| 79 | President PRESIDENT (UNTIL 06/25) | $1,313,227 | Jun 2025 | $658,577,859 | 0.20% | 67% | Filing |
| 80 | President President | $1,306,266 | Jun 2025 | $737,196,871 | 0.18% | 59% | Filing |
| 81 | President PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | $1,296,964 | Jun 2025 | $578,721,102 | 0.22% | 70% | Filing |
| 82 | Chancellor CHANCELLOR / CEO | $1,241,200 | Jun 2025 | $3,574,990,567 | 0.03% | 8% | Filing |
| 83 | President PRES./TRUSTEE (UNTIL 5/30/25) | $1,237,126 | May 2025 | $778,745,655 | 0.16% | 51% | Filing |
| 84 | President PRESIDENT | $1,212,179 | Jun 2025 | $726,385,006 | 0.17% | 55% | Filing |
| 85 | Chancellor CHANCELLOR | $1,209,539 | Jun 2025 | $875,422,584 | 0.14% | 43% | Filing |
| 86 | President PRESIDENT | $1,202,923 | Jun 2025 | $1,058,054,182 | 0.11% | 32% | Filing |
| 87 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $1,189,697 | Jun 2025 | $966,926,889 | 0.12% | 36% | Filing |
| 88 | President TRUSTEE - PRESIDENT | $1,186,985 | Jun 2025 | $443,865,833 | 0.27% | 76% | Filing |
| 89 | President PRESIDENT | $1,165,088 | Jun 2025 | $719,108,199 | 0.16% | 53% | Filing |
| 90 | President PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | $1,148,725 | Jun 2025 | $414,000,417 | 0.28% | 78% | Filing |
| 91 | President PRESIDENT | $1,145,854 | Jun 2025 | $840,062,522 | 0.14% | 42% | Filing |
| 92 | President President | $1,135,264 | May 2025 | $579,470,406 | 0.20% | 64% | Filing |
| 93 | President Trustee/President | $1,127,660 | Jun 2025 | $1,939,920,591 | 0.06% | 16% | Filing |
| 94 | President PRESIDENT | $1,122,817 | Jun 2025 | $529,428,994 | 0.21% | 69% | Filing |
| 95 | President PRESIDENT | $1,120,866 | Jun 2025 | $449,569,000 | 0.25% | 74% | Filing |
| 96 | President PRESIDENT (AS OF 10/23 THRU 10/24)See note 7. | $1,120,249 | Jun 2025 | $1,787,499,000 | 0.06% | 18% | Filing |
| 97 | President PRESIDENT | $1,095,361 | Jun 2025 | $558,598,313 | 0.20% | 65% | Filing |
| 98 | President PRESIDENT | $1,080,698 | Jun 2025 | $1,433,002,000 | 0.08% | 22% | Filing |
| 99 | President President | $1,071,826 | Jun 2025 | $1,616,008,924 | 0.07% | 19% | Filing |
| 100 | President PRESIDENT/CEO | $1,053,175 | Jun 2025 | $555,848,700 | 0.19% | 62% | Filing |
| 101 | President PRESIDENT | $1,048,438 | Jun 2025 | $864,220,449 | 0.12% | 35% | Filing |
| 102 | President PRESIDENT | $1,045,773 | Jun 2025 | $420,693,420 | 0.25% | 73% | Filing |
| 103 | President President, Fellow & Trustee | $1,017,760 | Jun 2025 | $3,418,676,076 | 0.03% | 6% | Filing |
| 104 | President PRESIDENT | $992,690 | Jun 2025 | $528,792,709 | 0.19% | 61% | Filing |
| 105 | President PRESIDENT EX OFFICIO BOARD | $906,757 | Jun 2025 | $535,237,246 | 0.17% | 56% | Filing |
| 106 | Chancellor CHANCELLOR | $899,724 | Dec 2024 | $663,296,165 | 0.14% | 41% | Filing |
| 107 | President President (effective 7/1/24) | $890,194 | Jun 2025 | $8,452,768,034 | 0.01% | 0% | Filing |
| 108 | President President | $889,064 | May 2025 | $441,401,510 | 0.20% | 67% | Filing |
| 109 | President President / Acting PresidentSee note 8. | $869,890 | Jun 2025 | $839,982,173 | 0.10% | 30% | Filing |
| 110 | President President | $865,337 | May 2025 | $448,541,928 | 0.19% | 63% | Filing |
| 111 | President President and Board Member | $857,322 | Jun 2025 | $520,511,868 | 0.16% | 54% | Filing |
| 112 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $854,501 | Jun 2025 | $371,090,212 | 0.23% | 72% | Filing |
| 113 | President PRESIDENT | $846,242 | Jun 2025 | $775,712,238 | 0.11% | 31% | Filing |
| 114 | President PRESIDENT | $821,274 | Jun 2025 | $602,630,236 | 0.14% | 41% | Filing |
| 115 | President President | $816,167 | Jun 2025 | $588,040,814 | 0.14% | 44% | Filing |
| 116 | President President (Thru 12/31/24)See note 9. | $810,670 | Jun 2025 | $511,285,123 | 0.16% | 51% | Filing |
| 117 | President PRESIDENT | $807,197 | May 2025 | $430,394,891 | 0.19% | 61% | Filing |
| 118 | President President | $799,495 | Jun 2025 | $2,009,925,571 | 0.04% | 10% | Filing |
| 119 | President Interim President (through July 2024)See note 10. | $766,385 | Jun 2025 | $630,645,764 | 0.12% | 35% | Filing |
| 120 | President PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE | $760,715 | Jun 2025 | $436,455,053 | 0.17% | 58% | Filing |
| 121 | President President | $750,671 | Jun 2025 | $370,563,617 | 0.20% | 68% | Filing |
| 122 | President PRESIDENT | $745,032 | Jun 2025 | $532,538,934 | 0.14% | 45% | Filing |
| 123 | President PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | $689,293 | Jun 2025 | $930,316,002 | 0.07% | 21% | Filing |
| 124 | President PRESIDENT | $681,341 | Apr 2025 | $425,408,328 | 0.16% | 52% | Filing |
| 125 | President INTERIM PRESIDENT & PROVOST | $644,731 | May 2025 | $460,330,866 | 0.14% | 45% | Filing |
| 126 | President PRESIDENT | $609,173 | Jun 2025 | $392,215,175 | 0.16% | 49% | Filing |
| 127 | President PRESIDENT & CEO | $601,030 | Jun 2023 | $399,426,612 | 0.15% | 47% | Filing |
| 128 | President Trustee & President | $600,783 | May 2025 | $368,946,806 | 0.16% | 54% | Filing |
| 129 | President PRESIDENT AS OF 7/24 | $569,942 | Jun 2025 | $929,602,491 | 0.06% | 17% | Filing |
| 130 | President University President and Trustee (beg June 2024) | $503,840 | May 2025 | $493,753,503 | 0.10% | 29% | Filing |
| 131 | President PRESIDENT/REGENT/TRUSTEE | $170,550 | Jun 2025 | $656,832,000 | 0.03% | 5% | Filing |
| 132 | President PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | $63,959 | Jun 2025 | $423,738,758 | 0.02% | 0% | Filing |
| 133 | President PRESIDENT, TRUSTEESee note 11. | $0 | May 2025 | $1,838,532,376 | – | Lowest (reported as $0) | Filing |
| 133 | President PresidentSee note 12. | $0 | Jun 2025 | $818,149,970 | – | Lowest (reported as $0) | Filing |
| 133 | President PRESIDENTSee note 13. | $0 | May 2025 | $843,696,353 | – | Lowest (reported as $0) | Filing |
| 133 | President PresidentSee note 14. | $0 | May 2025 | $555,066,876 | – | Lowest (reported as $0) | Filing |
| 133 | President PRESIDENT/TRUSTEESee note 15. | $0 | May 2025 | $930,985,067 | – | Lowest (reported as $0) | Filing |
- 1.WGU Corporation, a related organization, lists the same president at the same total on its own return and is listed on its own page.
- 2.Western Governors University's return lists Scott Pulsipher's pay as pay from related organizations (Part VII column E), with nothing from Western Governors University itself.
- 3.More than one person held the top job during the year this return covers. The row shows John J Degioia PhD C'79 G'95 ("President & Board Member (until 11/21/24)"); the return also lists Robert M Groves ("INTERIM PRESIDENT (EFF. 11/22/24), PROVOST (UNTIL 11/26/24)"), $1,228,708.
- 4.More than one person held the top job during the year this return covers. The row shows George L Hanbury II PhD ("President/CEO through 1/1/2025"); the return also lists Harry K Moon ("EVP/COO; President/CEO beg 1/2/25"), $685,087.
- 5.More than one person held the top job during the year this return covers. The row shows Dr Christine Riordan ("PRESIDENT"); the return also lists Christopher Storm ("PROVOST/EXECUTIVE VP/INTERIM PRES"), $508,389.
- 6.More than one person held the top job during the year this return covers. The row shows Ronald Liebowitz ("PRESIDENT (THRU 11/1/24)"); the return also lists Arthur Levine ("INTERIM PRESIDENT (AS OF 11/2024)"), $160,945.
- 7.More than one person held the top job during the year this return covers. The row shows Richard Englert ("PRESIDENT (AS OF 10/23 THRU 10/24)"); the return also lists John Fry ("PRESIDENT (AS OF 11/24)"), $326,231.
- 8.Part VII leaves column F (other compensation, such as benefits) empty for every person on this return, so this total is base, bonus and other reportable pay only; Schedule J on the same return lists more.
- 9.More than one person held the top job during the year this return covers. The row shows Laurie L Patton ("President (Thru 12/31/24)"); the return also lists Stephen Snyder ("Interim President (As of 1/1/25)"), $306,447.
- 10.More than one person held the top job during the year this return covers. The row shows Donna Shalala ("Interim President (through July 2024)"); the return also lists Joel Towers ("President (beginning August 2024)"), $760,730.
- 11.Boston College's return reports $0 for its president, Rev William P Leahy Sj; the figure is shown as filed.
- 12.Creighton University's return reports $0 for its president, Rev Daniel S Hendrickson SJ; the figure is shown as filed.
- 13.St. John's University (New York)'s return reports $0 for its president, Rev Brian J Shanley Op; the figure is shown as filed.
- 14.University of San Francisco's return reports $0 for its president, Rev Fitzgerald SJ; the figure is shown as filed.
- 15.Villanova University's return reports $0 for its president, Rev Peter M Donohue Osa; the figure is shown as filed.
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About the data
Every figure comes from a Form 990 e-file return the university submitted to the IRS, which the IRS publishes as open data. Each row uses one return and links to it. We don't estimate, round or combine years; column F is the organization's own estimate of other compensation.
- Which return
- The most recent return that covers a full year. Short-year returns, filed when an organization changes its fiscal year, cover only a few months and are not used as the latest year. Where a return was amended, the amended version is used.
- What “total” means
- Part VII columns D, E and F added together: reportable pay from the organization, reportable pay from related organizations, and estimated other compensation. We add them up; each organization's page shows the three amounts separately.
- Timing
- Returns are due up to 10½ months after the fiscal year ends and appear in IRS data anywhere from about 4 to 18 months after the year ends, so the latest year here is often a year or more old.
- Who counts as president
- The person whose filed title is president or chancellor of the university, including interim and acting presidents. Titles for another entity, such as the president of an investment company or a physician group, do not count. If two people held the title during the year, the higher-paid one leads. Where no one has a president or chancellor title, the chief executive leads. A few returns give titles only in Schedule O, the return's section for written explanations; that title is used, and "(Schedule O)" after it marks where it comes from.
The full rules are on the methodology page. To report an error or ask for a review, email corrections@ceopaycheck.com.
Common questions
Of the 137 private universities ranked so far, the top total is $8,043,343 for Dr J Larry Jameson, president of University of Pennsylvania, on its return for the fiscal year ending June 2025. The ranking uses the person with the president's or chancellor's title (or, where no one has that title, the chief executive), not the highest-paid person on the return.
Across these 137 universities the median is $1,388,761 (our calculation). 34 reported $2,000,000 or more for their president, and 103 reported $1,000,000 or more. On 68 of the 137 returns someone else is paid more than the president, most often a coach, an investment officer or a physician; each university's page lists its five highest-paid people.
Boston College, Creighton University, St. John's University (New York), University of San Francisco and Villanova University report $0 for their president, in each case a priest in a Catholic religious order (the Jesuits, Augustinians or Dominicans). The University of San Francisco's return says its president has taken a vow of poverty and that all of his earnings are paid directly to the Society of Jesus; Villanova's refers to an amount it remits to the Order of St. Augustine for services provided by the president. The $0 is shown as filed.
Public universities are part of state government, so they do not file a Form 990 and there is no filed pay figure to rank. Their foundations do file, but they do not pay the president, so a foundation is never shown in a university's place. Pitt, Temple and the University of Delaware are state-related but file their own Form 990 and pay their president on it, so they are included.