A sectorwide review shows private‑college presidential compensation rose sharply in 2023, driven in part by an expensive wave of leadership transitions. Trustees facing turbulent enrollments and strategic shifts authorized larger pay packages to secure experienced executives, according to governance analyses. Data sets covering hundreds of institutions reveal a mix of base pay, bonuses and benefits that pushed aggregate compensation higher. Board governance experts caution trustees to balance market pressure with mission and affordability, warning that outsized packages can strain small endowments and complicate stakeholder relations.