Public university presidents’ salaries increased nationwide last year at an average of about 7.6 percent, though the UA and ASU presidents were not part of the trend, officials said.

According to the latest survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the average pay and benefits for the 2007-2008 school year for presidents were $427,000 for public research universities.

ASU President Michael Crow will make about $720,500 this year, including a housing allowance, pension and other benefits, according to the Arizona Board of Regents.

He could also make approximately $750,000 in bonuses if he stays at the University for several more years and meets his 10-year performance goals.

Crow’s salary has increased once during his tenure at ASU, in 2007, spokeswoman Sharon Keeler said. He was paid about $600,000 in salary and benefits for the 2006-2007 school year.

UA President Robert Shelton’s salary has not changed since he arrived at the university about two years ago, and he currently makes about $550,000, UA spokesman Paul Allvin said.

NAU President John Haeger will make about $421,000 this year, according to ABOR. An NAU spokesman referred comment to ABOR, who could not be reached for comment on Haeger’s previous salaries by deadline.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who was quoted in the Chronicle report, said in a statement that it’s surprising that public universities are raising presidents’ salaries.

“In these hard economic times, apparently belt-tightening is for families and students, not university presidents,” he said. “Maybe the salary increases can be justified, but students, parents, and university boards should have full information so they can decide for themselves.”

But Arizona Regent Fred DuVal said public university presidents have to have competitive salaries because areas like the private sector have very lucrative pay offers.

“University presidents are frequently tempted by a number of opportunities,” DuVal said. “We need to pay market value. That said, we don’t.”

While compensation packages for the three Arizona university presidents may look high, positions in private businesses, foundations and even other public universities nationwide often pay higher, DuVal said.

He cited Ohio State University as an example, a university that pays its president more than $1.3 million, according to the Chronicle report.

And foundation and private sector jobs can offer much higher compensation, meaning university presidents can often find a better-paying job, he said.

Keeler said Crow’s leadership has been worth the salary. In terms of pure revenue, she said, Crow has helped ASU to secure more than $1 billion in funding from public and private sources.

“Does [the salary] have good return? In President Crow’s case, his leadership at ASU has been pretty amazing,” she said.

Reach the reporter at matt.culbertson@asu.edu.