When Roosevelt University’s Charles Middleton landed fifth on the Chronicle of Higher Education’s latest national survey of presidential salaries at private colleges and universities, it was a head-scratcher. The tiny institution (just 3,658 students) rates 91st in the Midwest on U.S. News & World Report’s regional university ranking—not exactly the Ivy League of Chicago. But there’s more to the money than meets the eye: Middleton’s $1.8 million package includes nearly $1.2 million in bonuses, accrued over 10 years and finally awarded now that he’s retiring. His base salary alone doesn’t even crack the top five for the Chicago area.
![Charles Middleton](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0315/C201503-312-Higher-Earnings-Charles-Middleton.jpg)
1. Charles Middleton
Roosevelt University
Total 2012 compensation: $1,762,956
How many tuitions cover total comp: 66
National rank: 5th
Base salary: $465,928
Notable perks: Housing and car allowances
![Robert Zimmer](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0315/C201503-312-Higher-Earnings-Robert-Zimmer.jpg)
2. Robert Zimmer
University of Chicago
Total 2012 compensation: $1,369,856
How many tuitions cover total comp: 29
National rank: 11th
Base salary: $916,620
Notable perks: $106,580 in rent-free mansion living
![Morton Schapiro](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0315/C201503-312-Higher-Earnings-Morton-Schapiro.jpg)
3. Morton Schapiro
Northwestern University
Total 2012 compensation: $1,123,913
How many tuitions cover total comp: 24
National rank: 24th
Base salary: $829,616
Notable perks: Use of a 10,000-square-foot house
![Rev. Dennis Holtschneider](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0315/C201503-312-Higher-Earnings-Rev-Dennis-Holtschneider.jpg)
4. Rev. Dennis Holtschneider
DePaul University
Total 2012 compensation: $836,169
How many tuitions cover total comp: 24
National rank: 53rd
Base salary: $505,956
Notable perks: Eternal blessings: He donates his salary to his religious order
![Michael Viollt](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0315/C201503-312-Higher-Earnings-Michael-Viollt.jpg)
5. Michael Viollt
Robert Morris University
Total 2012 compensation: $759,913
How many tuitions cover total comp: 32
National rank: 67th
Base salary: $469,839
Notable perks: Personal financial counseling and club dues
![John Anderson](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0315/C201503-312-Higher-Earnings-John-Anderson.jpg)
6. John Anderson
Illinois Institute of Technology
Total 2012 compensation: $690,123
How many tuitions cover total comp: 17
National rank: 81st
Base salary: $580,948
Notable perks: None