Public university presidents in the US earned $501,000 (?388,000) on average in 2015-16, a 5.3 per cent rise on the previous year.

A survey conducted by the found that eight leaders of public colleges received pay packages of at least $1 million, up from five the year before.

The highest earner was Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, who received $1.55 million in total compensation, more than double his $701,200 salary the year before. While his base salary increased by 27 per cent to $838,458 in 2015-16, he also received an annual bonus of $150,000 and a 10-year retention bonus of $550,000, paid by the university¡¯s private foundation.

Just two presidents received a base salary of at least $1 million, and both were based in Texas: William McRaven, head of the University of Texas system ($1.2 million), and Michael Young, president of Texas A&M University ($1 million).

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The highest-paid female president of a public university was Judy Genshaft, leader of the University of South Florida, who received $879,506. She is ranked 11th?in the overall list of highest-paid leaders.

When looking only at base salaries, Michigan State University¡¯s Lou Anna Simon was the highest-paid woman; she received a $750,000 salary, plus a $100,000 bonus.

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A recent survey of UK vice-chancellors¡¯ pay, compiled by the accounting firm Grant Thornton for Times Higher Education, found that university heads received an average package of ?280,877 in 2015-16, a rise of 2.2. per cent on 2014-15.

ellie.bothwell@timeshighereducation.com