How can I discover the income of a public college president?

Hey guys, I'm pretty surprised by the high costs of tuition and I'm curious about where that money goes. Just for my understanding and curiosity's sake, does anyone know how I could find out how much the president of a public college is paid? I'm not looking for any particular college, just general resources or methods. Thanks in advance.

Understanding where tuition money is allocated is indeed an important part of the financial landscape in higher education. As for finding out the salaries of public college presidents specifically, one reliable place to look would be officially published state salary databases. Many states disclose the payroll data of public employees, including university presidents, so you might find it on the state's website or the website of your state's Department of Budget and finance. The availability and detail of this information can vary by state, however.

Another resource to consider is The Chronicle of Higher Education. They routinely compile a list of compensation packages for university executives nationwide, which is publicly accessible.

Also, IRS Form 990 could be useful as it is generally required to be filed by non-profit institutions and it contains disclosures about the highest paid employees. So, for public universities that are categorized as non-profits, the president's compensation would be disclosed on that form. An online search should allow you to access these filings.

Do bear in mind that the president's salary is only one part of the overall institutional budget, and high tuition costs are shaped by other factors, too, like administrative and instructional costs, student services, research activities, campus maintenance, and more. Nonetheless, investigating where your tuition money goes is a commendable course of action. Good luck with your research!