NEW BRUNSWICK -- Five of the nation's university presidents or chancellors made more than $1 million in 2014-15 as compensation for college leaders continues to rise, according to a study by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The publication's annual survey of presidential pay found that University of Houston President Renu Khator took home the highest total compensation, $1.3 million.

Khator also serves as the Chancellor of the University of Houston system and receives a single salary for both positions.

Four of the ten highest-paid college leaders worked only a partial year and made the list in part because of generous severance packages or signing bonuses, along with reimbursement of moving costs. Browse the gallery above to see the 20 college that paid their presidents the most.

"One thing we saw is that it can pay to come or go," said Dan Bauman, a data reporter for the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The rankings are based on total compensation for the 2014-15 school year, including base salary, bonus pay, deferred compensation and severance pay. Other perks like houses and cars are not included.

The median total compensation of the public college presidents who served the full year was $431,000, a 4.3 percent increase over 2013-14.

Rutgers University President Robert Barchi ranked 19th with $742,509 in total compensation. Barchi received a base pay of $647,509 in 2014-15 and a $95,000 bonus, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education data.

He also lives in a university-owned home in Piscataway valued at $1.1 million.

Two other New Jersey college administrators were also included in the survey.

Joel Bloom, president of New Jersey Institute to Technology, received $632,000 in total compensation. His pay ranked 39th nationally.

Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor made $403,365 and ranked 131st.

The rankings include all public doctoral universities and all state college and university systems or governing boards with at least three campuses and 50,000 students.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.