Academic dean vs finance aid director

The differences between academic deans and finance aid directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an academic dean and a finance aid director. Additionally, an academic dean has an average salary of $94,053, which is higher than the $58,644 average annual salary of a finance aid director.

The top three skills for an academic dean include curriculum development, professional development and student services. The most important skills for a finance aid director are financial aid programs, title iv, and state regulations.

Academic dean vs finance aid director overview

	Academic Dean	Finance Aid Director
Yearly salary	$94,053	$58,644
Hourly rate	$45.22	$28.19
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	3,190	98,523
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does an academic dean do?

Academic deans take a vital role in the development and advancement of education in a college or university. The dean may have different functions depending on the university, but mostly, academic deans focus on creating new strategies in providing education for students. It is the responsibility of the academic dean to ensure that the faculty conducts all educational practices. The academic dean also manages all faculty members' activities and works with drafting the university's curriculum.

What does a finance aid director do?

A finance aid director oversees finance aid officers that deal with student loans, fees, scholarship grants, insurance, and other loans. They organize cash flow for all funds available. They analyze applications, grant scholarships and loans to students, and provide information on benefits and restrictions included with financial aid. They also help students resolve loan defaults or underpayments. They must have good communication skills to facilitate talks between students and universities.

Academic dean vs finance aid director salary

Academic deans and finance aid directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Academic Dean	Finance Aid Director
Average salary	$94,053	$58,644
Salary range	Between $57,000 And $153,000	Between $37,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	DCP Holdings Inc	Commonwealth
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between academic dean and finance aid director education

There are a few differences between an academic dean and a finance aid director in terms of educational background:

	Academic Dean	Finance Aid Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Academic dean vs finance aid director demographics

Here are the differences between academic deans' and finance aid directors' demographics:

	Academic Dean	Finance Aid Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 45.0% Female, 55.0%	Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between academic dean and finance aid director duties and responsibilities

Academic dean example responsibilities.

Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
Create individualized educational plans for students desiring to study in English speaking countries.
Coordinate several courses which involve development of the departmental syllabus and managing development of the departmental final.

Finance aid director example responsibilities.

Manage cash flow for all funds including, FFEL, PELL, FSEOG, alternative loans, and cash.
Manage a majority of payroll ensuring that there are accurate accruals and necessary deductions.
Review and determine outcome of all financial aid appeals.
Assist students, parents, and staff with navigating the financial aid process, by providing guidance with the FAFSA.
Resolve student appeals and special circumstance requests.
Maintain Pell grant accounts from application processing to monthly reconciliation.

Academic dean vs finance aid director skills

Common academic dean skills

Curriculum Development, 10%
Professional Development, 7%
Student Services, 5%
Student Learning, 5%
Academic Affairs, 5%
Program Directors, 4%

Common finance aid director skills

Financial Aid Programs, 9%
Title IV, 8%
State Regulations, 5%
Enrollment Management, 5%
Student Loans, 4%
Federal Regulations, 4%

Academic Dean vs. similar jobs

Academic Dean related careers

Academic Dean related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Academic Dean
Academic Dean vs Finance Aid Director

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs