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Academic adviser vs student advisor

The differences between academic advisers and student advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an academic adviser has an average salary of $46,729, which is higher than the $41,418 average annual salary of a student advisor.

The top three skills for an academic adviser include customer service, student services and financial aid. The most important skills for a student advisor are customer service, student services, and international student.

Academic adviser vs student advisor overview

Academic AdviserStudent Advisor
Yearly salary$46,729$41,418
Hourly rate$22.47$19.91
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs23,20856,492
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an academic adviser do?

An academic adviser is responsible for managing the students' educational goals and future career aspirations by encouraging them to join scholastic activities, conducting one-on-one discussions to identify their challenges and areas of improvement, and developing educational plans to address possible difficulties. Academic advisers also monitor the students' interests and abilities for a career setting, track the students' progress, and create engaging activities to observe the students' personal and social behavior. An academic adviser must have excellent communication skills and extensive knowledge of teaching principles and disciplines to handle different personalities.

What does a student advisor do?

A student advisor is responsible for supporting the students' personal growth and development by guiding them on their learning processes and educational goals. Student advisors provide regular counseling for the students to analyze their career aspirations, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and strategize learning plans to address those difficulties. They also coordinate with the students' parents and guardians to report the students' progress and determine appropriate scholastic solutions. A student advisor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially when handling students' different needs and concerns.

Academic adviser vs student advisor salary

Academic advisers and student advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Academic AdviserStudent Advisor
Average salary$46,729$41,418
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $62,000Between $31,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMassachusettsConnecticut
Best paying companyNew York Film AcademyThe American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between academic adviser and student advisor education

There are a few differences between an academic adviser and a student advisor in terms of educational background:

Academic AdviserStudent Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Academic adviser vs student advisor demographics

Here are the differences between academic advisers' and student advisors' demographics:

Academic AdviserStudent Advisor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 35.3% Female, 64.7%Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between academic adviser and student advisor duties and responsibilities

Academic adviser example responsibilities.

  • Coach and mentore students in determining optimal course of study to achieve specific career performance goals and certifications.
  • Interpret student records such as transcripts and IEP's.
  • Collect and analyze data for behaviors and IEP objectives.
  • Direct a team of four ESL teachers, implement school policies, teaching schedules, and activities clubs.
  • Organize all freshman and parent oreintation programs, assist in the freshman experience class, advise all undeclare students.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations used for curriculum development.
  • Show more

Student advisor example responsibilities.

  • Plan events, manage email and marketing advertisements via Facebook, answer phone calls.
  • Lead efforts facilitate recruitment and educational benefits for new and current student veterans at VCU.
  • Manage UAFS's F-1/J-1 student visa SEVIS compliance as DSO/ARO, ensuring all documentation is in order prior to students arriving.
  • Run training sessions and tutorials for students and faculty for the various services and programs offer by WestLaw.
  • Help veterans and/or their families with the G.I.
  • Specialize educator for students requiring RTI, IEP and gift services.
  • Show more

Academic adviser vs student advisor skills

Common academic adviser skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Student Services, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Support Services, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%
Common student advisor skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Student Services, 7%
  • International Student, 6%
  • Support Services, 5%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Professional Development, 4%

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