New York state is home to three of the top 10 highest-paid private-college presidents.
Leading the charge is Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate Troy, who in 2007-08 earned $1.6 million in total compensation.
Columbia University’s president, Lee Bollinger, placed sixth in the country — with $1.38 million in salary and benefits — while NYU’s John Sexton was eighth, with $1.3 million in executive pay, according to a report by the College Board.
Both men actually saw their compensation dip from the previous year.
In all, 23 college presidents topped the $1 million mark, nearly double the number from 2006-07.