Even as some colleges fear having to close in the face of a trying economy, some college presidents are doing very well, thank you.

Salaries of public university presidents rose 7.6 percent in 2007-08, reports a national survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The Chronicle adds that nearly one-third of public university presidents earn more than $500,000 a year. Fifteen made at least $700,000 in 2007-08, nearly twice as many as the year before.

Gordon Gee of Ohio State University led the way with more than $1.3 million a year in base pay, bonuses and other benefits. He was followed by the University of Washington’s Mark Emmert ($887,870) and the University of Virginia’s John Casteen ($797,048).

Good work if you can get it. (more…)