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College dean vs director of student affairs

The differences between college deans and directors of student affairs 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 a director of student affairs. Additionally, a college dean has an average salary of $91,676, which is higher than the $74,804 average annual salary of a director of student affairs.

The top three skills for a college dean include colleges, scholarship and strategic plan. The most important skills for a director of student affairs are student affairs, student services, and alumni.

College dean vs director of student affairs overview

College DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Yearly salary$91,676$74,804
Hourly rate$44.08$35.96
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs1,86222,875
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
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 a director of student affairs do?

A director of student affairs will oversee student clubs, manage student activities and budgetary information, and work with students to provide referrals for counseling and community services. Your duties typically include planning and arranging recreational, cultural, and social activities of different student groups, evaluating programs and providing recommendations for improvements, and scheduling events. As the student affairs director, it is your responsibility to organize and conduct an orientation program for new students and coordinate the publication of the student affairs calendar.

College dean vs director of student affairs salary

College deans and directors of student affairs have different pay scales, as shown below.

College DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Average salary$91,676$74,804
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $157,000Between $44,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyMassasoit Community CollegePacifi
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between college dean and director of student affairs education

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

College DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

College dean vs director of student affairs demographics

Here are the differences between college deans' and directors of student affairs' demographics:

College DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between college dean and director of student affairs 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.

Director of student affairs example responsibilities.

  • Provide resources and professional development opportunities to alumni to ensure engagement and a connection to Rasmussen.
  • Develop yearly FERPA training to increase knowledge and compliance with the law.
  • Develop CRM, print, website, and social media campaigns to enhance recruitment.
  • Open new culinary school from initial build-out to include initial program design and approval.
  • Direct campus through application process, site visits, and approval for institutional ABHES accreditation.
  • Coordinate events and catering services including divisional meetings, outings, student dinners, and other VPSA events.
  • Show more

College dean vs director of student affairs skills

Common college dean skills
  • Colleges, 23%
  • Scholarship, 18%
  • Strategic Plan, 13%
  • Professional Development, 12%
  • Graduate Programs, 8%
  • Accreditation Standards, 5%
Common director of student affairs skills
  • Student Affairs, 16%
  • Student Services, 7%
  • Alumni, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Student Organizations, 5%

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