(Photo by Paul Atkinson - KJZZ)

Michael Crow

Arizona State University President Michael Crow topped a national list for public university income, taking home almost $1.6 million in 2016.

The Chronicle of Higher Education released its annual report Tuesday, which placed Crow at the top of its list of more than 150 college presidents.

On average, U.S. public colleges and universities saw earnings climb more than 5 percent last year.

The study comes as in-state students prepare to see tuition rise for the fifth straight year in a row.

In meetings with ASU student leadership, Crow has explained the hikes are necessary to off-set $260 million in legislative budget cuts to Arizona’s higher education over the past eight years.

Chairman of the Arizona Board of Regents Bill Ridenour said Crow has earned his pay raises by nearly doubling ASU’s graduation rate and dramatically boosting its research programs, which lend to the state’s overall economy. He said that figure includes a one-time retention bonus, so the report’s figures are a little misleading.

“In that Dr. Crow’s total compensation includes several hundred thousand dollars for an endowed chair in his name and another $550,000 again from the foundation, which is
private funds," he said.

Ridenour said Crow’s actual salary is closer to the national average, under $1 million.

Dan Bauman, a reporter for the Chronicle, along with Brian O’Leary, looked at data on more than 1,200 chief executives at more than 600 private colleges from 2008-2014 and nearly 250 public universities and systems from 2010-2016. And, Bauman joins us now.