MORGANTOWN - West Virginia University may double, or even triple the salary for its next president.

Raymond Cotton, a national expert on salaries paid to college and university presidents, says outgoing President Mike Garrison's $255,000 salary ranks in the lowest 10 percent nationwide.

The Chronicle of Higher Education says the median salary for university leaders is just under $400,000.

Several lawmakers and members of WVU's governing board agree a more lucrative compensation package is needed to attract quality candidates. But several also say their first priority is finding an interim president.

Garrison is resigning in September after a year in office to end a controversy surrounding the improper awarding of a master's degree to the governor's daughter.

Raymond Cotton, a national expert on salaries paid to college and university presidents, says outgoing President Mike Garrison's $255,000 salary ranks in the lowest 10 percent nationwide.

The Chronicle of Higher Education says the median salary for university leaders is just under $400,000.

Several lawmakers and members of WVU's governing board agree a more lucrative compensation package is needed to attract quality candidates. But several also say their first priority is finding an interim president.

Garrison is resigning in September after a year in office to end a controversy surrounding the improper awarding of a master's degree to the governor's daughter.