Scotland's largest college is paying six-figure annual salaries for two principals despite facing a £1.7 million black hole.
Former principal Mandy Exley, who submitted her notice four weeks ago, will receive roughly £70,000 while on gardening leave for six months.
Interim principal Dr Elaine McMahon has already started in the role and is believed to be earning £140,000 a year.
College union chiefs said staff were surprised at the spending when education is facing serious cuts. Union leader Mike Cowley, of the college's EIS-FELA branch, said: "Staff are bewildered and angry at what they see as squandering of public money in a climate of austerity."
A college spokeswoman said: "Edinburgh College is one of the biggest in the UK and it is essential to have a principal and a strong executive team to cover the large remit associated with running a college of this size."
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