The median total compensation for the leaders of 185 of the nation’s largest state research universities during the 2009-10 academic year was $440,487, a figure that includes base pay and bonuses, as well as deferred compensation and money set aside for retirement, the Chronicle said. Over all, that figure represented an increase of about 1 percent over the previous year.

In tallying questionnaires completed by the universities, the Chronicle counted 59 of the 185 presidents, or nearly a third, as earning more than $500,000 in total compensation. Of the 10 highest-paid — including E. Gordon Gee of Ohio State ($1.8 million), and Francisco G. Cigarroa of the University of Texas ($813,892) — none earned less than $725,000.

In an indication that the highest-paid university leaders risked the wrath of taxpayers and students, several turned down at least a portion of their pay. Mr. Gee, whose base salary is listed as $802,000, donated nearly $300,000 in bonus payments to “scholarship funds and other university efforts,” as he did the prior year, according to the Chronicle. Gary D. Forsee, president of the University of Missouri system, whose base salary was $400,000, declined a performance bonus of $100,000. (He has since left office.)

Other presidents had pay cuts, including those in the University of California system, whose salaries were reduced 10 percent under furloughs initiated by Mark G. Yudof, president of the university system.

The full study can be found at chronicle.com/presidentialpay.

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