VICE Chancellor Tim Wheeler, who runs the University of Chester, earned £183,000 last year.
The university revealed the information after a Guardian article examined how the pay of the UK’s top academics had soared over the past decade.
However, the university is not prepared to discuss whether Professor Wheeler is worth his salary, citing privacy rules.
The Guardian article also revealed that one other university staff member earned more than £100,000 a year.
Student union president Ben Massey says Prof Wheeler has done a good job in expanding the university but must prove his worth by maintaining standards, otherwise students will go elsewhere.
He said: “He needs to manage and maintain the levels we have got at the moment. Without students there is no university so he has got to keep students satisfied.”
Ben, who is concerned the £3,225 Chester tuition fee could rise if a national cap is lifted, added: “I think students are just looking to get the best deal. If they are getting a good deal, they are happy.”
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, the representative body for the heads of UK universities, justified the financial rewards received by Vice Chancellors.
She said: “Universities have an average annual turnover of over £100 million, and are highly complex businesses.
“The remuneration packages for university Vice Chancellors reflect what it takes to attract, retain and reward individuals of sufficient calibre, experience and talent to ensure that UK universities continue to contribute to our economic recovery, transform lives and remain world leaders in terms of the quality and impact of teaching and research.”
