The three highest paid public university leaders each took home more than $1,000,000 last fiscal year, and seven earned more than $700,000. The Chronicle of Higher Education’s annual data reveals why. To remain competitive with private universities with large endowments, public institutions have to pay up for administrative talent. However, for some, that means tapping into foundation resources and for others, it means falling behind.

University of Wyoming (Top College No. 235) first opened its doors to a class of 42 students in 1886. Today, students come from all 50 states and more than 90 countries around the globe. This is a public research university, offering over 180 areas of study across 7 colleges to students. There are more than 200 student organizations on campus. The School Geological Museum features a 75-foot-long Brontosaurus skeleton. There is a ski area 25 minutes from the school and a 15-minute campsite to the east. Student-athlete competes at the Mountain West Conference at NCAA Division I. Level Vice President Dick Cheney is a notable alumni.

As the 11th public school in the nation in 2015, the University of Wisconsin, Madison (Top College No. 69) was founded in 1848 as the premier institution of the University of Wisconsin system. It is one of the world's leading research institutions, with more than $ 1 billion in research costs each year; Alumni and lecturers have been awarded 18 Nobel Prizes and 26 Pulitzer Prizes. Students come from 50 states and more than 100 countries. Its 13 colleges and universities offer 136 undergraduate majors as well as certificates, masters and doctoral programs. There are more than 900 student organizations on campus that also have 11 men's and women's sports teams. Nicknamed Badgers, the school competed in the Big Ten Conference. It holds 29 NCAA national title teams.

West Virginia University (Top College No. 421), founded in 1867, is a public research university in Morgantown, WV. The school has 15 colleges and schools. Some of the top areas of research include arts and sciences, business, agriculture and public health. WVU Library has over 2.1 million books, 48,000 magazine subscriptions and electronic access to the 246. Network database. At WVU, students have many opportunities to participate on campus with 475 student organizations. tablets to choose from. Since its inception, West Virginia University has produced 24 Rhodes scholars, 22 Truman scholars, 40 Goldwater scholars and 43 Fulbright scholars. NCAA Division I athletics competition at Big 12 Conference.

Whitman College (Top College No. 50) is a private liberal arts school located in the infamous friendly town of Walla Walla, WA, at the foot of the Blue Mountains. In addition to providing 45 majors, Whitman collaborates with other organizations to offer combined programs, such as dual-computer science and engineering programs. The school is modeled after the New England traditional liberal arts college. Eighty-three percent of first-year students receive funding from the school averaging $ 19,500. Students eager to experience abroad can take advantage of 90 study abroad programs in 40 countries and those interested in cultural encounters on campus can live in one of the four language houses for who speak French, German, Spanish and Japanese. Whitman sports teams compete in NCAA Division III.

Located in Lexington, VA, Washington and Lee (Top College No. 29) is a private liberal arts school with a rich history. The school, the second oldest in the state, was established in 1749, and in 1796, George Washington provided the school with its first major investment. General Robert E. Lee is famous for being the president of the school, and it was renamed in honor of him after his death in 1870. The school offers 38 majors and 29 minors, and is divided into two divisions. University, School and Williams School of Business, Economics and Politics. Forty-nine percent of first-year students receive funding from the school averaging nearly $ 40,000. 24 sports teams are called Generals and compete at NCAA Division III.

Known as one of the Little Ivies, Middle Middle School (College No. 34) is a small private liberal arts school in rural Vermont. Founded in 1800, the school now focuses on a liberal arts curriculum with a focus on writing. Its core distribution requirement consists of seven academic types and four courses emphasizing cultural awareness. The school is known for its foreign language programs, and Middlebury School Abroad has locations in 35 cities worldwide. Forty-two percent of first-year students receive funding from the school averaging just over $ 35,200. In 2012, the Dalai Lama made his third visit to Middlebury for a special lecture on international cooperation and optimism. Middlebury Panthers compete in NCAA Division III athletics.

Brigham Young University (No. 104 College) was founded in 1875 by Brigham Young himself and almost exclusively served members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU offers bachelor's degrees in approximately 180 degree programs through 10 colleges. With 133 study abroad programs in 50 countries, BYU has one of the largest study abroad programs in the country and more than two-thirds of students speak a second language. More than half of the students have returned from religious missions around the world. Students are expected to comply with a strict Honor Code prohibiting sex before marriage, use of alcohol and drugs; Men are required not to grow beards without a doctor's permission. Romney graduated BYU in 1971.

Founded in 1912, Rice University (Top College No. 32) is a private university in Houston, TX known for its strength in research. Rice offers 73 majors, and the most popular majors include biological sciences and economics. The James A. Baker III Public Policy Institute has brought a number of national and international leaders and scholars to the 300-acre campus. Sixty percent of freshmen receiving school grants averaged just over $ 31,000. Rice has a presidential history: George H.W. Bush was once an adjunct professor and the famous John F. Kennedy convinced the American public to support a manned flight to the moon here. Rice Rice varsity teams compete at NCAA Division I.

Founded in 1873 by business tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University (Top College No. 47) occupies a sprawling 330-acre campus less than two miles from downtown Nashville, TN. This research institution offers 68 undergraduate majors in liberal arts and science, engineering, music, education and human development. Sixty percent of first-year students receive funding from the school averaging $ 38,200. Students participate in more than 500 clubs and 32 chapters of Greek institutions. Residential life includes an online college hall system, in which students and faculty live together in closed buildings including study spaces, cafeterias, laundry facilities and shops. Sports teams compete in Division I. Athletics The university counts two US vice presidents as alumni and many Nobel laureates.