PHILADELPHIA — University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann received more than $1.1 million in compensation last year, putting her in the elite ranks of college presidents.

Gutmann earned $750,000 in salary, $338,786 in benefits and $66,848 in expenses, for a total of $1,155,634, according to the university.

The 2006-07 figures are set by Penn's board of trustees and reflect the fact that Gutmann oversees the Ivy League university and its health system, which have a combined budget of more than $5 billion, school spokeswoman Lori Doyle said Thursday.

"It's a very complex organization," said Doyle.

A dozen presidents of private universities earned at least $1 million in compensation in 2005-06, according to a November survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, which used the latest figures available at the time.

Gutmann's compensation is nearly 49 percent higher than it was 2005-06, when she earned $777,692. The spike was due in part to $170,000 in deferred compensation, which was paid out because certain goals were met, Doyle said.

Gutmann's salary also went up — from $630,000 to $750,000 — reflecting her two years in office and the current market conditions for university presidents, Doyle said.

"Our trustees are very pleased with Penn's direction and her leadership," Doyle said.

The amounts were first reported Thursday in the student newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian.

Presidential salaries have faced closer scrutiny as college prices continue to climb well above the rate of inflation.

Gutmann, who comes from a humble background, has pledged to make Penn — which costs $46,000 a year — more accessible to middle- and upper-middle-class students.

Beginning in fall 2009, all financially eligible undergraduates will receive grants instead of loans in their aid packages. Penn already covers tuition and room and board for students whose families earn $60,000 or less per year.