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News

By the Numbers: Millionaires at Private Colleges, 2011

By Jonah Newman December 15, 2013

The number of private-college presidents who earn more than $1-million has risen steadily each year, from just seven in 2004-5 to 42 in 2011. But at some of the wealthiest universities, where it’s not uncommon for a president to earn a seven-figure salary, other employees—especially doctors, coaches, and investment officers—can earn even more.

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The number of private-college presidents who earn more than $1-million has risen steadily each year, from just seven in 2004-5 to 42 in 2011. But at some of the wealthiest universities, where it’s not uncommon for a president to earn a seven-figure salary, other employees—especially doctors, coaches, and investment officers—can earn even more.

203 Number of private-college employees who earned more than $1-million in total compensation. More medical professionals (91) were on this list than any other type of employee. They were followed by presidents (42), coaches and athletic directors (33), other administrators (26), former employees (10), and provosts (1).

$9,682,032 Total compensation paid to Mike Krzyzewski, head men’s basketball coach at Duke University, who had the highest compensation of any private-college employee. Coach K, as he is known, has coached the Blue Devils since 1980 and has led the team to four NCAA championships. He made $5.6-million in bonus pay, the highest bonus paid out at a private university in 2011.

14 Number of University of Pennsylvania employees who earned more than $1-million in total compensation, more than at any other private college. Twelve are current or former employees of Penn Medicine, which includes the Perelmen School of Medicine and several hospitals, outpatient clinics, and affiliated practices. The others are Amy Gutmann, the president, and Kristin Gilbertson, who was chief investment officer.

4 Number of athletic staff members at the University of Southern California who earned more money than the university’s president. They include Lane Kiffin, who was head football coach; Pat Haden, athletic director; Monte Kiffin, who was assistant football coach; and Kevin O’Neill, who was head men’s basketball coach. The president, C.L. Max Nikias, earned almost $1.4-million, making him the 13th-highest-paid private-college president.

3 Number of doctors at the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell School of Medicine, an 11-physician practice, who earned more than $2.5-million in 2011. Zev Rosenwaks, director of the center, took home $4.5-million in total pay, more than five times what Cornell’s president, David J. Skorton, earned.

We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
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About the Author
Jonah Newman
Jonah Newman was a database reporter for The Chronicle.
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