| # | Name | Term | Notability |
| | 1923–1932 | Former National Education Association Vice-president. Died in office. |
| | 1932–1938 | Former president of Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College and Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Second Texas Tech president to die in office. |
| † | 1938 | Board of Director member who served as interim following Knapp's passing. |
| | 1938–1944 | |
| | 1944–1948 | |
| | 1948–1952 | |
| | 1952–1959 | |
| | 1959–1966 | |
| | 1966–1976 | |
| | 1976–1979 | |
| | 1979 | Interim |
| † | 1980–1988 | |
| | 1989–1996 | |
| † | 1996—2000 | |
| † | 2000–2003 | |
| † | 2003 | Second tenure. Interim. |
| | 2003–2008 | |
| | 2008–2012 | |
| | 2012–2013 | Interim |
| | 2013–2016 | Former University of Idaho president |
| † | 2016 | Interim |
| 17 | | 2016–present | |
