Examining the Role of University President and Football Coach Salaries in Student Debt

Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between university president and coach salaries and student debt. The recent rise in tuition and student debt has created public concern, prompting a search for causes of and solutions to the problem. One hypothesis discussed in both popular news articles and academic papers is that university spending on president salaries and football coach salaries has an influence on student debt. However, prior to the current study, this hypothesis had not been subjected to careful analysis based on the available data. Utilizing data collected from the Chronicle of Higher Education, USA Today, and the College Scorecard, which provide data for a robust sample of universities, this study finds no correlation between university president/ football coach salaries and student debt.