Post job

Dean vs director of student affairs

The differences between 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 dean and a director of student affairs. Additionally, a dean has an average salary of $86,318, which is higher than the $74,804 average annual salary of a director of student affairs.

The top three skills for a dean include curriculum development, oversight and scholarship. The most important skills for a director of student affairs are student affairs, student services, and alumni.

Dean vs director of student affairs overview

DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Yearly salary$86,318$74,804
Hourly rate$41.50$35.96
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs1,18322,875
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a dean do?

A dean is responsible for overseeing the educational operations of the assigned department, enforcing school policies, and monitoring the students' progress by coordinating with the teachers and setting up procedures to improve teaching methods. Deans administer educational training and programs for the students, as well as extra-curricular activities to develop the students' social behavior, maximize their potentials, and increase their self-confidence. They also handle the department's budget, accurately allocating resources and funds to different activities and educational materials.

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.

Dean vs director of student affairs salary

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

DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Average salary$86,318$74,804
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $150,000Between $44,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityLos Altos, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyPalmer College of ChiropracticPacifi
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between dean and director of student affairs education

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

DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Dean vs director of student affairs demographics

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

DeanDirector Of Student Affairs
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 53.8% Female, 46.2%Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.3% 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 dean and director of student affairs duties and responsibilities

Dean example responsibilities.

  • Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
  • Develop funding split or co-fund project collaborations across colleges.
  • Deliver oversight and management of student behavior and attendance compliance.
  • Build partnerships with community colleges and universities for student opportunities.
  • Provide leadership for instructional programming and oversight for the operations of the agriculture, energy and sustainability areas.
  • Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
  • Show more

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

Dean vs director of student affairs skills

Common dean skills
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • Scholarship, 7%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Strategic Plan, 5%
  • Colleges, 5%
Common director of student affairs skills
  • Student Affairs, 16%
  • Student Services, 7%
  • Alumni, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Student Organizations, 5%

Browse executive management jobs