College presidents' pay rises despite state budget cuts

University of California President Mark Yudof gestures during a news conference at a UC Regents meeting in San Francisco, Wednesday, July 18, 2012, after a UC regent committee voted to freeze undergraduate tuition this fall and endorse Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative.

Whenever the topic of college tuition comes up, the conversation often turns to the pay of the men and women running those institutions. The Chronicle of Higher Education looked at the salaries and overall compensation of 212 presidents at public universities.

Whenever the topic of college tuition comes up, the conversation often turns to the pay of the men and women running those institutions. The Chronicle of Higher Education looked at the salaries and overall compensation of 212 presidents at public universities.

Their report found that a few of them — including former Penn State president Graham Spanier —made almost $2 million last year. But, if it's any consolation, only one California University head made the top 10.

According to the report, Mark Yudof, the head of the University of California System, earned more than $800,000 in total compensation.

Jack Stripling, a senior reporter for the Chronicle of Higher Education, joins the show with more.