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College dean vs athletic director

The differences between college deans and athletic directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a college dean and an athletic director. Additionally, a college dean has an average salary of $91,676, which is higher than the $71,311 average annual salary of an athletic director.

The top three skills for a college dean include colleges, scholarship and strategic plan. The most important skills for an athletic director are student athletes, NCAA, and physical education.

College dean vs athletic director overview

College DeanAthletic Director
Yearly salary$91,676$71,311
Hourly rate$44.08$34.28
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs1,86211,759
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a college dean do?

College deans lead the faculty to achieve their goals in areas like teaching, scholarship, and service. They are the representatives of the colleges they oversee both internally and externally. Deans are in charge of reviewing curricular requests and instruction proposals and denying or approving them to ensure they meet the state and accreditation standards. Their job is to ensure that all records kept in their offices are accurate to make it easier to respond to academic concerns and seek resolution with the faculty.

What does an athletic director do?

An athletics director is an administrative professional who is responsible for managing all activities related to the athletic program of a school, university, or college. The director must ensure that the school follows athletic rules and regulations as well as provide direction and guidance for its athletic program. This director must work with coaches to file reports on the progress of each of the athletic teams. The director must also assist in hiring coaches and athletic staff and should mediate disputes between coaches and athletes.

College dean vs athletic director salary

College deans and athletic directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

College DeanAthletic Director
Average salary$91,676$71,311
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $157,000Between $40,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTAlameda, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyMassasoit Community CollegeKern Community College District
Best paying industryEducationInsurance

Differences between college dean and athletic director education

There are a few differences between a college dean and an athletic director in terms of educational background:

College DeanAthletic Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

College dean vs athletic director demographics

Here are the differences between college deans' and athletic directors' demographics:

College DeanAthletic Director
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between college dean and athletic director duties and responsibilities

College dean example responsibilities.

  • Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
  • Design new illustrations for children's literature using a Wacom tablet.
  • Authore ICT faculty handbooks and train faculty in effective implementation.
  • Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
  • Authore ICT faculty handbooks and train faculty in effective implementation.

Athletic director example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage an athletic page on facebook.
  • Manage student transcripts, GPA, and credit verification according to school and CIF rules and regulations.
  • Manage facility schedules and oversee activities including league basketball and indoor soccer.
  • Lead project management team in development/execution of conferences and enduring CME -accredite programs.
  • Develop strategy to revamp locker rooms and improve high school athletic facilities including a new softball field and scoreboard for gym.
  • Provide athletes with injury prevention information: maintenance exercises, nutrition plans and resources, and develop rehabilitation and treatment protocols.
  • Show more

College dean vs athletic director skills

Common college dean skills
  • Colleges, 23%
  • Scholarship, 18%
  • Strategic Plan, 13%
  • Professional Development, 12%
  • Graduate Programs, 8%
  • Accreditation Standards, 5%
Common athletic director skills
  • Student Athletes, 15%
  • NCAA, 9%
  • Physical Education, 7%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Athletic Events, 5%
  • Varsity Sports, 4%

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